Career Overview
Scrape and sand wooden floors to smooth surfaces using floor scraper and floor sanding machine, and apply coats of finish.
Also Known As
- Floor Finisher
- Floor Mechanic
- Floor Sander
- Hardwood Floor Sander
Alternate Job Titles
- Bowling Alley Refinisher
- Finisher
- Floor Finisher
- Floor Mechanic
- Floor Refinisher
- Floor Renovator
- Floor Sander
- Floor Sander and Finisher
- Floor Sanding Machine Operator
- Floor Scraper
- Floor Surfacer
- Floorer
- Hardwood Finisher
- Hardwood Floor Finisher and Sander
- Hardwood Floor Refinisher
What You'll Do
In this role, your typical responsibilities include:
- Buff and vacuum floors to ensure their cleanliness prior to the application of finish.
- Scrape and sand floor edges and areas inaccessible to floor sanders, using scrapers, disk-type sanders, and sandpaper.
- Inspect floors for smoothness.
- Attach sandpaper to rollers of sanding machines.
- Guide sanding machines over surfaces of floors until surfaces are smooth.
- Apply filler compound and coats of finish to floors to seal wood.
- Remove excess glue from joints, using knives, scrapers, or wood chisels.
Knowledge You'll Use
You'll need solid knowledge in these areas:
- Building and Construction
- Customer and Personal Service
- English Language
Key Abilities
This career requires key abilities in:
- Arm-Hand Steadiness
- Trunk Strength
- Control Precision
- Multilimb Coordination
- Manual Dexterity
- Finger Dexterity
- Near Vision
- Stamina
- Static Strength
- Oral Comprehension
Work Style
People who excel in this career typically demonstrate:
- Attention to Detail
- Dependability
- Cautiousness
- Perseverance
- Achievement Orientation
What Matters in This Career
This career tends to satisfy these work values:
- Support
- Relationships
- Working Conditions
- Achievement
- Recognition
Education & Preparation
Typical Education: Less than a High School Diploma
Related Work Experience Needed: Over 2 years, up to and including 4 years
On-the-Job Training: Over 2 years, up to and including 4 years
Education Details: Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
Experience Required: Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
Technology You'll Use
Popular Technologies & Software
- Microsoft Excel
Tools & Equipment
- Application brushes
- Claw hammers
- Corner tools
- Draw chisels
- Drum sanders
- Dust masks
- Edge sanders
- Finish application rollers
- Finish edging tools
- Floor buffers
- Floor sanders
- Floor saws
- Floor scraping tools
- Floor scrubbing machines
- Floor strippers
Work Environment
- Exposed to Contaminants
- Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls
- Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
- Spend Time Bending or Twisting Your Body
- Spend Time Making Repetitive Motions
Salary & Job Market
| Salary Percentile | Annual Wage |
|---|---|
| Entry-Level (10th percentile) | $35,790 |
| Median | $49,150 |
| Top Earners (90th percentile) | $66,510 |
Workers Employed Nationally: 4,140
Related Careers
If you're interested in this career, you might also consider:
Floor Layers, Except Carpet, Wood, and Hard Tiles
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $54,340
Furniture Finishers
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $42,530
Carpet Installers
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $49,850
Terrazzo Workers and Finishers
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $57,260
Tile and Stone Setters
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $52,240
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Occupational data sourced from the O*NET OnLine database, developed by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. Wage data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2024.