Cement Masons

Once a beginning cement mason has gained some skills and become efficient in the trade, he or she can specialize in a certain phase of the work. A cement mason may become, for example, a lip-curb finisher, an expansion joint finisher, or a concrete paving-finishing machine operator.

An experienced mason—with good judgment, planning skills, and the ability to deal with people—may be promoted to a supervisory position. Supervisors with a broad understanding of other construction trades may eventually become job superintendents, who are in charge of the whole range of activities at the job site. A cement mason may also become an estimator for concrete contractors, calculating materials requirements and labor costs. A self-disciplined and highly motivated cement mason can eventually go into business on his or her own by opening a company to do small projects like sidewalks and patios.