Occupation

Terrazzo Workers and Finishers

Human Advantage 61%

Significant human skills needed

AI Automation Risk Moderate Risk
3.8 / 10

Some tasks in this role may be augmented by AI, but human oversight and interpersonal skills remain important.

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: Artificial Marble Worker, Build Master, Buildmaster, Coat Agent, Concrete Journeyman, Finisher, Granite-Chip Terrazzo Finisher, Grinder +19 more

Video

Core Tasks

  1. 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.
  2. Grind surfaces with a power grinder, or polish surfaces with polishing or surfacing machines.
  3. 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.
  4. Blend marble chip mixtures, place into panels, and push a roller over the surface to embed the chips.
  5. Modify mixing, grouting, grinding, or cleaning procedures, according to type of installation or material used.
  6. 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.
  7. Grind curved surfaces or areas inaccessible to surfacing machine, such as stairways or cabinet tops, with portable hand grinder.
  8. Wash polished terrazzo surface, using cleaner and water, and apply sealer and curing agent according to manufacturer's specifications, using brush or sprayer.
  9. Position and secure moisture membrane and wire mesh in preparation for pouring base materials for terrazzo installation.
  10. Fill slight grinding depressions with matching grout material and hand-trowel for a smooth, uniform surface.
  11. Clean installation site, mixing and storage areas, tools, machines, and equipment, and store materials and equipment.
  12. Sprinkle colored marble or stone chips, powdered steel, or coloring powder over surface to produce prescribed finish.
  13. Wet surface to prepare for bonding, fill holes and cracks with grout or slurry, and smooth with a trowel.
  14. Mix cement, sand, and water to produce concrete, grout, or slurry, using hoe, trowel, tamper, scraper, or concrete-mixing machine.
  15. Chip, scrape, or grind high spots, ridges, or rough projections to finish concrete, using pneumatic chisel, hand chisel, or other hand tools.
  16. Mold expansion joints and edges, using edging tools, jointers, or straightedges.
  17. Move terrazzo installation materials, tools, machines, or work devices to work areas, manually or using wheelbarrow.
  18. Clean chipped area, using wire brush, and feel and observe surface to determine if it is rough or uneven.

Supplemental Tasks (8)

  1. Repair concrete by cutting out damaged areas, drilling holes for reinforcing rods, and positioning reinforcing rods, using power saw and drill.
  2. Precast terrazzo blocks in wooden forms.
  3. Wet concrete surface and rub with stone to smooth surface and obtain specified finish.
  4. Build wooden molds, clamping molds around areas to be repaired, or setting up frames to the proper depth and alignment.
  5. Spread roofing paper on surface of foundation and spread concrete onto roofing paper with trowel to form terrazzo base.
  6. Produce rough concrete surface, using broom.
  7. Remove frames when the foundation is dry.
  8. Signal truck driver to position truck to facilitate pouring concrete and move chute to direct concrete on forms.

Education & Training

Job Zone 2 Job Zone Two: Some Preparation Needed
Education: These occupations usually require a high school diploma.
Experience: Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is usually needed. For example, a teller would benefit from experience working directly with the public.
On-the-Job Training: Employees in these occupations need anywhere from a few months to one year of working with experienced employees. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.

Education Level Distribution

Percentage of workers in this occupation with each education level.

High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
70%
Less than a High School Diploma
14%
Post-Secondary Certificate - awarded for training completed after high school (for example, in agriculture or natural resources, computer services, personal or culinary services, engineering technologies, healthcare, construction trades, mechanic and repair technologies, or precision production)
10%
Some College Courses
6%

Technology & Tools

Hot Technologies

  • Intuit QuickBooks
  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Windows

Software (8)

  • CPR International GeneralCOST Estimator
  • CPR Visual Estimator
  • Construction Management Software ProEst
  • On Center Quick Bid
  • Sapro Systems Paymee

Tools & Equipment (32)

  • 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
  • Pneumatic chisels
  • Polishing machines
  • Portable hand grinders
  • Portable mortar mixers
  • Power drills
  • Power grinders
  • Power saws
  • Power screeds
  • Power trowels
  • Power washers
  • Putty knives
  • Rake jointers
  • Safety goggles
  • Shovels
  • Straightedges
  • Surfacing machines
  • Wire brushes

Where This Career Leads

Career progression organized by specialty track and experience level.

Skilled Trades Advanced Manufacturing

Zone 1
Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers 95% match
Zone 2
Terrazzo Workers and Finishers You are here
Zone 3
Stonemasons 92% match

Resume Builder

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Related Occupations

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Tile and Stone SettersClosely Related Helpers--Brickmasons, Blockmasons, Stonemasons, and Tile and Marble SettersClosely Related Floor Layers, Except Carpet, Wood, and Hard TilesClosely Related Cement Masons and Concrete FinishersClosely Related Brickmasons and BlockmasonsClosely Related Stone Cutters and Carvers, Manufacturing Floor Sanders and Finishers Stonemasons
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Real Talk

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