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Terrazzo Workers and Finishers

Typical education: High school diplomaModerate pressure

What they do

Apply a mixture of cement, sand, pigment, or marble chips to floors, stairways, and cabinet fixtures to fashion durable and decorative surfaces.

Kinds of work

  • Realistic: Hands-on work with tools, machines, plants or animals, often outdoors.

Moderate pressure: How much pressure workers in this job report: deadlines, conflict, dealing with upset people, the cost of mistakes, responsibility for others' safety, competition and long hours. It varies a lot from one employer to the next. Source: U.S. Department of Labor worker surveys.

Pay, tasks and more

Salary

United States $76,170 Median per year · $36.62/hr Most earn $46,090–$126,130

BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, 2025.

What you might do

  • Wet surface to prepare for bonding, fill holes and cracks with grout or slurry, and smooth with a trowel.
  • Clean installation site, mixing and storage areas, tools, machines, and equipment, and store materials and equipment.
  • Produce rough concrete surface, using broom.
  • Move terrazzo installation materials, tools, machines, or work devices to work areas, manually or using wheelbarrow.
  • Precast terrazzo blocks in wooden forms.
  • Remove frames when the foundation is dry.

Job outlook

United States
13% fewer jobs by 2035, declining · about 100 openings a year

Openings include new jobs and jobs left by workers who retire or change careers. Projections: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. "Bright Outlook": U.S. Department of Labor.

Where they work

The Bureau of Labor Statistics doesn't break this career out by industry.

Experience before this job: Up to 1 month

Some people start through an apprenticeship: paid training on the job, often with classes. Search apprenticeships on Apprenticeship.gov (opens in a new tab) ↗

Career path

How people usually get into this career, from school to their first job and beyond.

Typical education: High school diplomaExperience before this job: Up to 1 monthEntry-level

This is an entry-level trade. Most people start with a high school diploma and learn on the job, usually needing little or no prior work experience. Becoming a skilled installer typically takes a few years of hands-on practice.

  1. High school diploma

    4 years

    Finish school and build math, shop, and drafting skills, since terrazzo work involves measuring, mixing materials, and reading plans.

  2. Masonry Helper

    Up to 1 month to a few months

    Start as a helper on a crew, mixing materials, cleaning, and carrying tools while you learn how floors are prepared and finished. This leads into hands-on terrazzo work.

  3. Terrazzo Worker

    1-3 years of on-the-job training

    Learn to pour, spread, grind, and polish terrazzo surfaces under experienced workers, building the skills to finish floors and stairs on your own.

Where it can lead

  1. Lead Terrazzo Installer

    3-5 years of experience first

    You take charge of a small crew, check the quality of each step, and help plan jobs, which usually requires a strong record of clean, accurate finished work.

  2. Terrazzo Foreman

    5+ years of experience first

    You supervise several crews, schedule projects, order materials, and make sure jobs stay on time and safe, which usually takes years of proven skill and leadership on the job.

What you can do now

Ideas for high school and college students.

In high school

  • Take shop or construction classesHands-on classes teach measuring, tool safety, and working with building materials, which are the basics of terrazzo work.
  • Take math classesGeometry and basic algebra help with measuring floor areas, mixing ratios, and planning layouts.
  • Join a skills club or trade organizationMany schools have SkillsUSA or similar groups where you can practice trade skills and meet people in construction.
  • Get a summer job on a construction or labor crewEven general labor work teaches teamwork, job-site safety, and the pace of a building project.
  • Talk to a trade teacher or counselorAsk about apprenticeships and local construction programs so you know your options after graduation.

In college

  • Take courses in construction technology or building tradesClasses on building materials and job-site practices give you a head start on the knowledge employers look for.
  • Get a part-time job on a construction or concrete crewHands-on experience with mixing, pouring, and finishing surfaces builds the skills terrazzo work depends on.
  • Earn a basic safety certificationCertifications such as OSHA 10-Hour for construction show employers you understand job-site safety.
  • Volunteer on a building or renovation projectHelping with community projects, like repairing a school or church floor, adds real experience to your résumé.
  • Build a simple portfolio of finishing workPhotos of practice pieces or projects you helped with can show a future employer your attention to detail.

Tips for getting started

  • Ask a local terrazzo, concrete, or masonry contractor whether they hire helpers or offer on-the-job training. Many people get their start this way.
  • Get comfortable with physical work and good safety habits, such as wearing protective gear and lifting correctly, since this job involves heavy materials and long hours on your feet.
  • Take a shop, woodworking, or drafting class if your school offers one. Working with your hands and reading plans are useful skills in this trade.

Related jobs a step up

Education, experience and related careers: U.S. Department of Labor. The step-by-step path, where it can lead and what you can do now were written by AI as typical examples; many people take other ways.

College majors that lead here

Majors: U.S. Department of Education and BLS (CIP–SOC crosswalk). Earnings and debt: College Scorecard, typical across U.S. colleges.

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