Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers
Smooth and finish surfaces of poured concrete, such as floors, walks, sidewalks, roads, or curbs using a variety of hand and power tools. Align forms for sidewalks, curbs, or gutters; patch voids; and use saws to cut expansion joints.
AI Impact Summary
Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers faces low AI displacement risk with a score of 17/100. This occupation has higher AI displacement risk than 3% of all analyzed occupations. Of 26 analyzed tasks, 0 are highly automatable. Strong protective factors — including social intelligence, creativity, or regulatory barriers — significantly reduce effective risk.
Skill Impact Analysis
AI-Vulnerable Skills (6)
High reliance on Information Ordering is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
High reliance on Mathematics is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
Mathematics is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Reading Comprehension is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Memorization is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Programming is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
AI-Resistant Skills (11)
Manual Dexterity is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Leadership is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Adaptability/Flexibility is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Coordination is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Complex Problem Solving is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Social Perceptiveness is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Instructing is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Service Orientation is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
AI-Augmented Skills (7)
Recommended Courses
Courses matched to Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers skill gaps, ranked by relevance to your displacement risk profile.
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Upskill to Reduce Risk
Courses addressing your most AI-vulnerable skills
SQL Fundamentals Skill Track
by DataCamp
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AI-Augmentation Tools
Learn to work alongside AI and boost your productivity
Cybersecurity Fundamentals Path
by Pluralsight
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Strengthen Your Edge
Double down on skills AI can't replicate
Leading People and Teams Specialization
by University of Michigan
Estimated Impact
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Risk reduction and salary impact are estimates based on skill gap analysis, course relevance, and labor market data. Actual results vary by individual circumstance.
Education & Training
Percentage of workers at each education and training level
Education Level
Prior Experience Needed
Work experience required to enter this job
Training Provided After Hiring
How long it typically takes to learn on the job
How AI Impacts Each Task
26 tasks analyzed
Check the forms that hold the concrete to see that they are properly constructed.
Set the forms that hold concrete to the desired pitch and depth, and align them.
Spread, level, and smooth concrete, using rake, shovel, hand or power trowel, hand or power screed, and float.
Monitor how the wind, heat, or cold affect the curing of the concrete throughout the entire process.
Mold expansion joints and edges, using edging tools, jointers, and straightedge.
Signal truck driver to position truck to facilitate pouring concrete, and move chute to direct concrete on forms.
Direct the casting of the concrete and supervise laborers who use shovels or special tools to spread it.
Produce rough concrete surface, using broom.
Apply hardening and sealing compounds to cure surface of concrete, and waterproof or restore surface.
Operate power vibrator to compact concrete.
Install anchor bolts, steel plates, door sills and other fixtures in freshly poured concrete or pattern or stamp the surface to provide a decorative finish.
Wet surface to prepare for bonding, fill holes and cracks with grout or slurry, and smooth, using trowel.
Waterproof or restore concrete surfaces, using appropriate compounds.
Mix cement, sand, and water to produce concrete, grout, or slurry, using hoe, trowel, tamper, scraper, or concrete-mixing machine.
Chip, scrape, and grind high spots, ridges, and rough projections to finish concrete, using pneumatic chisels, power grinders, or hand tools.
Sprinkle colored marble or stone chips, powdered steel, or coloring powder over surface to produce prescribed finish.
Wet concrete surface, and rub with stone to smooth surface and obtain specified finish.
Cut out damaged areas, drill holes for reinforcing rods, and position reinforcing rods to repair concrete, using power saw and drill.
Fabricate concrete beams, columns, and panels.
Polish surface, using polishing or surfacing machine.
Build wooden molds, and clamp molds around area to be repaired, using hand tools.
Clean chipped area, using wire brush, and feel and observe surface to determine if it is rough or uneven.
Cut metal division strips, and press them into terrazzo base so that top edges form desired design or pattern.
Push roller over surface to embed chips in surface.
Apply muriatic acid to clean surface, and rinse with water.
Spread roofing paper on surface of foundation, and spread concrete onto roofing paper with trowel to form terrazzo base.
| Task | AI Capability | Risk | Time % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Check the forms that hold the concrete to see that they are properly constructed. | 10Estimated | 13.0% | 6% | |
| Set the forms that hold concrete to the desired pitch and depth, and align them. | 5Estimated | 11.0% | 8% | |
| Spread, level, and smooth concrete, using rake, shovel, hand or power trowel, hand or power screed, and float. | 20Estimated | 17.0% | 12% | |
| Monitor how the wind, heat, or cold affect the curing of the concrete throughout the entire process. | 57.53Observed | 50.0% | 5% | |
| Mold expansion joints and edges, using edging tools, jointers, and straightedge. | 5Estimated | 11.0% | 6% | |
| Signal truck driver to position truck to facilitate pouring concrete, and move chute to direct concrete on forms. | 10Estimated | 19.0% | 4% | |
| Direct the casting of the concrete and supervise laborers who use shovels or special tools to spread it. | 10Estimated | 19.0% | 4% | |
| Produce rough concrete surface, using broom. | 20Estimated | 41.0% | 4% | |
| Apply hardening and sealing compounds to cure surface of concrete, and waterproof or restore surface. | 20Estimated | 41.0% | 4% | |
| Operate power vibrator to compact concrete. | 20Estimated | 41.0% | 4% | |
| Install anchor bolts, steel plates, door sills and other fixtures in freshly poured concrete or pattern or stamp the surface to provide a decorative finish. | 5Estimated | 11.0% | 4% | |
| Wet surface to prepare for bonding, fill holes and cracks with grout or slurry, and smooth, using trowel. | 5Estimated | 11.0% | 4% | |
| Waterproof or restore concrete surfaces, using appropriate compounds. | 5Estimated | 11.0% | 3% | |
| Mix cement, sand, and water to produce concrete, grout, or slurry, using hoe, trowel, tamper, scraper, or concrete-mixing machine. | 30Estimated | 45.0% | 3% | |
| Chip, scrape, and grind high spots, ridges, and rough projections to finish concrete, using pneumatic chisels, power grinders, or hand tools. | 5Estimated | 11.0% | 3% | |
| Sprinkle colored marble or stone chips, powdered steel, or coloring powder over surface to produce prescribed finish. | 20Estimated | 41.0% | 3% | |
| Wet concrete surface, and rub with stone to smooth surface and obtain specified finish. | 15Estimated | 39.0% | 3% | |
| Cut out damaged areas, drill holes for reinforcing rods, and position reinforcing rods to repair concrete, using power saw and drill. | 5Estimated | 11.0% | 3% | |
| Fabricate concrete beams, columns, and panels. | 25Estimated | 19.0% | 2% | |
| Polish surface, using polishing or surfacing machine. | 60Estimated | 57.0% | 2% | |
| Build wooden molds, and clamp molds around area to be repaired, using hand tools. | 5Estimated | 11.0% | 2% | |
| Clean chipped area, using wire brush, and feel and observe surface to determine if it is rough or uneven. | 0Estimated | 9.0% | 2% | |
| Cut metal division strips, and press them into terrazzo base so that top edges form desired design or pattern. | 5Estimated | 11.0% | 2% | |
| Push roller over surface to embed chips in surface. | 20Estimated | 41.0% | 2% | |
| Apply muriatic acid to clean surface, and rinse with water. | 15Estimated | 39.0% | 2% | |
| Spread roofing paper on surface of foundation, and spread concrete onto roofing paper with trowel to form terrazzo base. | 15Estimated | 39.0% | 2% |
Protective Factors
Total protective discount: 27.1%
Essential Soft Skills
Traits that are hard for AI to replicate
Wage & Employment (2024)
Median Wage
$54,660
per year
Mean Wage
$59,360
per year
Employment
205K
workers
Wage Range
$38,290 - $87,620
10th - 90th pct
Wage Distribution
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Alternate Career Paths
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Construction Carpenters
21%Median salary: $59,310
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Terrazzo Workers and Finishers
21%Median salary: $57,260
Higher risk than 9% of other occupations
Rough Carpenters
23%Median salary: $59,310
Higher risk than 15% of other occupations
Sheet Metal Workers
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Higher risk than 17% of other occupations
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25%Higher risk than 20% of other occupations
Chief Executives
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General and Operations Managers
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Marketing Managers
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Advertising and Promotions Managers
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Computer and Information Systems Managers
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Recommendations
Skills to Develop
These skills are at risk from AI automation. Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers professionals should diversify beyond them.
- Information Ordering
High reliance on Information Ordering is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
- Mathematics
High reliance on Mathematics is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
- Mathematics
Mathematics is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
- Reading Comprehension
Reading Comprehension is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
- Memorization
Memorization is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Skills to Leverage
These human-centric skills remain difficult for AI to replicate. Double down here.
- Manual Dexterity
Manual Dexterity is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- Leadership
Leadership is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- Adaptability/Flexibility
Adaptability/Flexibility is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- Coordination
Coordination is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- Complex Problem Solving
Complex Problem Solving is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Tools to Adopt
AI can amplify these skills. Learn the tools that augment rather than replace your work.
- Monitoring
Monitoring will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
- Judgment and Decision Making
Judgment and Decision Making will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
- Critical Thinking
Critical Thinking will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
- Active Learning
Active Learning will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
- Systems Analysis
Systems Analysis will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
Score History
Risk score over 2 scoring runs
overall change