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Cement Finisher, Construction Tradesperson, Mason
In Canada, the federal government groups and organizes occupations based on a National Occupational Classification (NOC) system. This alis occupation may not reflect the entire NOC group it is part of. Data for the NOC group can apply across multiple occupations.
The NOC system is updated every 5 years to reflect changes in the labour market. Government forms and labour market data may group and refer to an occupation differently, depending on the system used.
Here is how this occupation has been classified over time.
2006 NOC
2006 NOC-S
2011 NOC
2016 NOC
2021 NOC
2023 OaSIS
In general, concrete finishers:
Although machines are used to trowel large areas such as warehouses and arena floors, hand trowelling is still required for hard to reach spots in corners, edges, and around pipes. The surface may be:
Concrete finishers work both outdoors and indoors at tasks that are fast paced and strenuous. Travel may be required to get to construction sites.
Outdoor work can be affected by adverse weather conditions. There is less work available in the winter and summer hours often are longer than the standard 40-hour week. Overtime is often part of the job because some projects cannot be left until they are completed. There is some risk of injury from working on uneven footing and from general construction site hazards. The work involves considerable bending, stooping and kneeling, and may involve moving items that weigh over 25 kilograms.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2006 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
Interest in operating hand tools, power tools and power vibrators to compact concrete
Interest in copying information to fill hollows and remove high spots to smooth freshly poured concrete; and in applying hardening and sealing compounds to cure concrete surfaces
Interest in repairing, resurfacing and replacing worn and damaged sections of floors, walls, roads and other concrete structures
To identify or change your interest codes, complete the Interests Exercise in CAREERinsite.
The interest code helps you figure out if you’d like to work in a particular occupation.
It’s based on the Canadian Work Preference Inventory (CWPI), which measures 5 occupational interests: Directive, Innovative, Methodical, Objective, and Social.
Each set of 3 interest codes for this NOC group is listed in order of importance.
A code in capital letters means it’s a strong fit for the occupation.
A code in all lowercase letters means the fit is weaker.
To fill in or change the values for your abilities, complete the Abilities Exercise in CAREERinsite.
A Quick Guide
You are born with abilities that help you process certain types of information and turn it into action. These abilities influence which skills you can learn more easily.
The abilities or aptitudes shown for this NOC group come from the General Aptitude Test Battery (GATB). The GATB measures 9 aptitudes. It groups them into 3 categories: mental, visual, and physical.
The abilities scores range from 1 to 5, with 5 being stronger.
Concrete finishers need:
They should take pride in seeing the results of their work, and enjoy physical exercise and working with their hands.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
This chart shows which job skills are currently in highest demand for this occupational group. It was created using this occupation's 115 most recent Alberta job postings, collected between Mar 30, 2024 and Apr 22, 2024.
Review these skills to learn:
| Tasks: Level top surface concrete according to grade and depth specification | 112 |
|---|---|
| Tasks: Fill hollows and remove spots on freshly poured cement | 108 |
| Tasks: Check formwork, granular base and steel reinforcement materials and direct placement of concrete into forms or onto surfaces according to grade | 103 |
| Tasks: Operate power vibrators to compact concrete | 101 |
| Tasks: Apply hardening and sealing components to cure surfaces | 97 |
| Tasks: Repair, resurface and replace worn or damaged sections of concrete structures | 92 |
| Tasks: Impart desired finish to concrete surfaces using hand and power tools | 91 |
| Tasks: Waterproof, damp proof and restore surfaces | 74 |
| Attention to detail | 66 |
| Tasks: Install anchor bolts, steel plates, door sills and other fixtures | 61 |
To work in Alberta, a concrete finisher must be ONE of the following:
To register with Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training, apprentices must find a suitable employer who is willing to hire and train them. They must also meet ONE of the following:
The term of apprenticeship is 3 years (three 12-month periods) that include a minimum of 1,200 hours of on-the-job training in the each period and 4 weeks of classroom instruction in the first and second years.
High school students can earn credits toward apprenticeship training and a high school diploma at the same time through the Registered Apprenticeship Program (RAP). Applicants who have related training or work experience may be eligible for admission, credit, or certification. Credits may reduce the period of apprenticeship.
Concrete finisher apprentices may take the interprovincial exam in the final period of their apprenticeship training to earn a Red Seal (certification recognized in most parts of Canada).
Classroom instruction is arranged by Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training. For more information, see the Apprenticeship Training Catalogue.
The following schools offer programs or courses that are related to this occupation but are not required to enter the field.
To expand or narrow your search for programs related to this occupation, visit Post-Secondary Programs.
Completing a program does not guarantee entrance into an occupation. Before enrolling in an education program, prospective students should look into various sources for education options and employment possibilities. For example, contact associations and employers in this field.
Certain professional titles or duties within this occupation are protected by provincial legislation. Requirements vary if you use these titles or perform these duties.
The related legislation is shown below. If there are multiple related legislations, select a certification heading to learn about each one.
Concrete finishers place and finish concrete floors, driveways, sidewalks, curbs, bridge decks and other concrete structures. For more information, see the Designated Trades Profile on Alberta’s Tradesecrets website.
Under Alberta’s Skilled Trades and Apprenticeship Education Act [pdf], you do not have to be certified if you are self-employed or work for an employer who is satisfied that you have the skills and knowledge expected of a journeyperson certified by Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training. To learn the trade, you must become a registered apprentice.
For information on what you need and other details, visit the certification profile Concrete Finisher.
Certified tradespeople who want to build their business skills may obtain an Achievement in Business Competencies (Blue Seal) Certificate from Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training.
Source: 2019-2023 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook
Most concrete finishers are employed by general contractors involved in building highways, bridges and large buildings, and by contractors who do only concrete work. A few concrete finishers are self-employed, contracting their services for smaller projects such as patios, sidewalks and driveways. Because it is often an outdoor activity, employment prospects for concrete finishers vary with the seasons. Concrete work is also tied to sectors such as the housing and construction industry, so jobs will increase or decline depending on the economy.
Experienced concrete finishers may specialize in a particular type of work or become contract estimators. With experience they can also move into supervisory positions.
This section shows the industries where the majority of people in this occupation work. The data is based on the 2016 Census.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.
In the 7282: Concrete finishers occupational group, 82.6% of people work in:
Employment outlook is influenced by a wide variety of factors including:
In Alberta, the 7282: Concrete finishers occupational group is expected to have an above-average annual growth of 2.2% from 2019 to 2023. In addition to job openings created by employment turnover, 39 new positions are forecasted to be created within this occupational group each year.
Note
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For example, only some of the new positions to be created will be for this occupation. It also applies to other data for the NOC group such as number of people employed.
Source: 2019-2023 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook
Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.
Journeyperson concrete finishers wages vary but generally range from $20 to $35 an hour plus benefits (2019 estimates). Apprentices earn at least 65% of the journeyperson wage rate in their place of employment in the first year, 75% in the second and 85% in the third.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
Unless otherwise noted, the data shown here is for all industries and all regions in Alberta.
All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production), and other forms of compensation.
To see the full survey data for this NOC group, visit the wage profile.
Other wage sources
To make an informed wage and salary decision, research other wage sources [pdf] to supplement this data.
Lower Reliability, represents a CV of between 15.01% and 33.00% and/or if fewer than 20 survey observations and/or if survey observations represent less than 33% of all estimated employment for the occupation.
| Wages* | Low (5th percentile) | High (95th percentile) | Average | Median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting | $18.00 | $33.90 | $26.39 | $26.00 |
| Overall | $23.00 | $33.90 | $29.10 | $28.00 |
| Top | $29.70 | $40.00 | $35.13 | $35.00 |
Swipe left and right to view all data. Scroll left and right to view all data.
* All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production) and other forms of compensation.
Pay brackets for hourly wages
| ALL INDUSTRIES | $58,085 |
|---|---|
| Construction | $58,077 |
Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training website: tradesecrets.alberta.ca
BuildForce Canada website: www.buildforce.ca
Get information and referrals about career, education, and employment options from Alberta Supports.
Updated Mar 31, 2020. The information contained in this profile is current as of the dates shown. Salary, employment outlook, and educational program information may change without notice. It is advised that you confirm this information before making any career decisions.
