Career Overview
Apply a mixture of cement, sand, pigment, or marble chips to floors, stairways, and cabinet fixtures to fashion durable and decorative surfaces.
Also Known As
- Terrazzo Finisher
- Terrazzo Installer
- Terrazzo Tile Setter
- Terrazzo Worker
Alternate Job Titles
- Artificial Marble Worker
- Build Master
- Buildmaster
- Coat Agent
- Concrete Journeyman
- Finisher
- Granite-Chip Terrazzo Finisher
- Grinder
- Installer
- Marble-Chip Terrazzo Worker
- Onyx-Chip Terrazzo Worker
- Roller
- Roofing Laborer
- Rustic Terrazzo Setter
- Template Worker
What You'll Do
In this role, your typical responsibilities include:
- Measure designated amounts of ingredients for terrazzo or grout, according to standard formulas and specifications, using graduated containers and scales, and load ingredients into portable mixer.
- Grind surfaces with a power grinder, or polish surfaces with polishing or surfacing machines.
- Cut metal division strips and press them into the terrazzo base for joints or changes of color to form designs or patterns or to help prevent cracks.
- Blend marble chip mixtures, place into panels, and push a roller over the surface to embed the chips.
- Modify mixing, grouting, grinding, or cleaning procedures, according to type of installation or material used.
- Spread, level, or smooth concrete or terrazzo mixtures to form bases or finished surfaces, using rakes, shovels, hand or power trowels, hand or power screeds, or floats.
- Grind curved surfaces or areas inaccessible to surfacing machine, such as stairways or cabinet tops, with portable hand grinder.
Knowledge You'll Use
You'll need solid knowledge in these areas:
- Building and Construction
- Design
Key Abilities
This career requires key abilities in:
- Manual Dexterity
- Multilimb Coordination
- Near Vision
- Trunk Strength
- Arm-Hand Steadiness
- Finger Dexterity
- Extent Flexibility
- Far Vision
- Visualization
- Static Strength
Work Style
People who excel in this career typically demonstrate:
- Dependability
- Attention to Detail
- Cautiousness
- Perseverance
- Achievement Orientation
What Matters in This Career
This career tends to satisfy these work values:
- Independence
- Support
- Achievement
- Working Conditions
- Relationships
Education & Preparation
Typical Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
On-the-Job Training: None or short demonstration
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
- Intuit QuickBooks
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Windows
Tools & Equipment
- Buffing machines
- Claw hammers
- Concrete floats
- Desktop computers
- Dust masks
- Edgers
- Floor sanders
- Hand chisels
- Hand screeds
- Hand trowels
- Handheld sprayers
- Jointers
- Locking C-clamps
- Metal shears
- Notebook computers
Work Environment
- Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets
- Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls
- Exposed to Sounds, Noise Levels that are Distracting or Uncomfortable
- Spend Time Standing
- Importance of Being Exact or Accurate
Salary & Job Market
| Salary Percentile | Annual Wage |
|---|---|
| Entry-Level (10th percentile) | $39,360 |
| Median | $57,260 |
| Top Earners (90th percentile) | $104,510 |
Workers Employed Nationally: 1,450
Related Careers
If you're interested in this career, you might also consider:
Tile and Stone Setters
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $52,240
Helpers--Brickmasons, Blockmasons, Stonemasons, and Tile and Marble Setters
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $46,480
Floor Layers, Except Carpet, Wood, and Hard Tiles
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $54,340
Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers
Education: Less than a High School Diploma
Median Salary: $54,660
Stonemasons
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $51,990
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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.