Construction and extraction
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.
Median pay
$76,170
Growth to 2035
−13%
declining
Openings a year
100
Time to qualify*
4 years
* From a bachelor's degree in an unrelated field.
Pay
Terrazzo workers and finishers
Getting in
- Typical entry education
- High school diploma or equivalent
- On-the-job training
- Apprenticeship
- Prior experience
- None
What the work is like
Dealing with the public
Unpleasant or angry people
Time pressure
Cost of a mistake
Freedom to make decisions
Repeating the same tasks
Time standing
Outdoors in all weather
Hazardous conditions
Terrazzo workers and finishers: 13% usually work over 40 hours a week
Core tasks
- 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.
- Wash polished terrazzo surface, using cleaner and water, and apply sealer and curing agent according to manufacturer's specifications, using brush or sprayer.
Also called: Grinder · Installer · Terrazzo Finisher · Terrazzo Grinder · Terrazzo Installer · Terrazzo Journeyman · Terrazzo Laborer · Terrazzo Mechanic
Outlook and AI
Terrazzo workers and finishers held 1,200 jobs in 2025. BLS projects 1,000 by 2035 (−13%, declining; all jobs: +3.5%).
Compare with
- Terrazzo workers and finishers vs. Tile and stone setters
- Terrazzo workers and finishers vs. Helpers--brickmasons, blockmasons, stonemasons, and tile and marble setters
- Terrazzo workers and finishers vs. Floor layers, except carpet, wood, and hard tiles
- Terrazzo workers and finishers vs. Cement masons and concrete finishers
- Terrazzo workers and finishers vs. Stonemason
- Terrazzo workers and finishers vs. Brickmasons and blockmasons
- Terrazzo workers and finishers vs. Molders, shapers, and casters, except metal and plastic
- Terrazzo workers and finishers vs. Floor sanders and finishers
- Terrazzo workers and finishers vs. Furniture finisher