Terrazzo Workers and Finishers
Apply a mixture of cement, sand, pigment, or marble chips to floors, stairways, and cabinet fixtures to fashion durable and decorative surfaces.
Also called: Grinder · Installer · Terrazzo Finisher · Terrazzo Grinder · Terrazzo Installer · Terrazzo Journeyman
Median pay (national)
$57,260
$39,360–$104,510 (10th–90th)
Employed (US)
1,450
BLS OEWS, May 2024
Outlook 2024–34
-11.1%
~100 openings/yr
Typical entry
High school diploma or equivalent
What the numbers say
Refit analysis ·Pay for terrazzo workers and finishers shows an unusually wide range: the top 10% earn $104,510 versus $39,360 at the bottom 10% — 2.7x. The median of $57,260 leaves roughly 83% of headroom to the 90th percentile, which is where seniority, specialization, and the skills below tend to pay off.
Refit analysis ·Employment is projected to change -11.1% from 2024 to 2034 — a projected decline, against +3% across all occupations. Even so, BLS projects about 100 openings a year, mostly to replace workers who retire or change careers.
Refit analysis ·Where you work moves the number a lot. Across the 6 states with released data, Illinois pays the most for this role (median $104,510, +83% vs the national median), while California sits lowest at $40,330 — a 159% spread for the same job title.
Refit analysis ·O*NET rates Speaking, Monitoring, Critical Thinking as the highest-importance skills here — so a resume aimed at this role should lead with evidence of those, not a generic skills list.
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Top skills employers ask for
Ranked by O*NET importance for this occupation.
- Speaking
- Monitoring
- Critical Thinking
- Active Listening
- Mathematics
- Active Learning
- Reading Comprehension
- Learning Strategies
- Writing
- Science
What they actually do
Core O*NET tasks for this role.
- 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.
- Modify mixing, grouting, grinding, or cleaning procedures, according to type of installation or material used.
- Grind curved surfaces or areas inaccessible to surfacing machine, such as stairways or cabinet tops, with portable hand grinder.
- Clean chipped area, using wire brush, and feel and observe surface to determine if it is rough or uneven.
- 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.
- 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.
- Wash polished terrazzo surface, using cleaner and water, and apply sealer and curing agent according to manufacturer's specifications, using brush or sprayer.
- Clean installation site, mixing and storage areas, tools, machines, and equipment, and store materials and equipment.
Tools & technology
- Intuit QuickBooks
- Microsoft Windows
- Construction Management Software ProEst
- CPR International GeneralCOST Estimator
- CPR Visual Estimator
- On Center Quick Bid
- Sapro Systems Paymee
- Microsoft Excel
Knowledge areas
- Building and Construction
- Design
- Mathematics
- English Language
- Administration and Management
- Customer and Personal Service
- Chemistry
- Mechanical