How to become a terrazzo workers and finisher
Apply a mixture of cement, sand, pigment, or marble chips to floors, stairways, and cabinet fixtures to fashion durable and decorative surfaces.
Steps to get there
Most employers expect usually requires a high school diploma or ged, though some occupations may not..Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
What terrazzo workers and finishers do
- 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.
Skills that matter most
- Speaking
- Monitoring
- Critical Thinking
- Active Listening
- Mathematics
- Active Learning
- Reading Comprehension
- Learning Strategies
Is terrazzo workers and finisher a good career?
On the numbers, this job pays above the typical job. Median pay is 49% above the all-occupation median. Whether it fits you depends on the work itself, the schooling you are willing to do and where you want to live.
Where it pays most
- New Jersey $57,550
Terrazzo Workers and Finishers salary by state and city
Sources: O*NET® 31.0 (CC BY 4.0, USDOL/ETA) and BLS Employment Projections 2025–35. Pay: BLS OEWS May 2025.