Concrete is one of the most common materials used in construction.
Learn about the skilled contractors who work with concrete, their average salaries, training requirements, and the software they use on the job.
What is a concrete contractor?
Concrete contractors are skilled construction professionals who specialize in concrete work. They plan, install, and maintain concrete elements for commercial and residential buildings, as well as functional structures like bridges and roads.
What does a concrete contractor do?
The main responsibilities of concrete contractors are:
Planning projects and materials
Preparing the jobsite
Building forms and frameworks
Mixing and pouring concrete
Finishing
Repair and maintenance
Concrete has many diverse applications. Concrete contractors may work solely on the foundations of buildings and structures, or they may build exterior elements.
Depending on the type of project, they can be involved throughout the entire construction process. They’ll frequently collaborate with general contractors and other subcontractors to make sure projects are completed safely on schedule.
Becoming a concrete contractor
Because concrete is so widely used in modern construction, there are many available job opportunities for concrete contractors.
To be successful, you’ll need to develop a core skill set and have a good understanding of your earning potential.
Skills
Strength and endurance
Construction is highly physical labor. Concrete subcontractors stand on their feet for several hours at a time, frequently lift heavy materials and equipment, and often work outside in extreme weather conditions.
You need to have the physical strength and endurance to meet the demands of the job.
Attention to detail
All types of contractors benefit from good attention to detail. But for concrete contractors, the ability to closely follow instructions is especially important.
When mixing materials and working on structural elements, deviating from set measurements can spell disaster and derail tasks down the line. Make sure you can pay attention to the finer details to avoid making costly mistakes.
Awareness
Staying alert and aware as you work prevents both safety and quality issues. Concrete contractors should always keep these risks in mind to help reduce injuries and incidents.
Time management
Staying on schedule is one of the easiest ways to avoid disputes and preserve project profitability. However, the workday doesn’t always go as planned.
Good time management skills help concrete contractors maximize efficiency even when there are unavoidable delays.
Communication
As a concrete contractor, you’ll collaborate with customers, GCs, and other subcontractors on a daily basis.
Being able to clearly and effectively communicate prevents disputes and misunderstandings.
Training & education
Concrete contractors most often learn their trade skills on the job. They’ll start as an apprentice or an entry-level worker at a concrete construction business and gain experience as they work on real projects. You don’t need any pre-existing training or certification to get started.
Some independent organizations do offer educational programs to give applicants a head start or help existing concrete contractors expand their professional knowledge. Here are some examples:
Many of these courses can be completed online and cover specific topics like forming, curing, and finishing in detail.
Licensing requirements
In many U.S. states, concrete contractors need a license to operate—this includes both individual contractors and concrete contracting businesses.
Getting licensed may involve coursework, forms, testing, and an application fee. Some states may even require a criminal background check.
Contact your state’s labor department for detailed information.
Salary
Like any job title, concrete contractor salaries will vary based on location, specialty area, and years of experience.
As of November 2023, Indeed lists the average salary for concrete laborers in the U.S. as $67,361, while PayScale reports the average base salary for concrete construction as $71,000.
ZipRecruiter lists the average hourly rate for concrete contractors as $24, with a low of $13.22 and a high of $33.89.
Job outlook
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that the projected employment of cement masons and concrete finishers will decline by 4% from 2022-2032.
While this means there will be slightly less job opportunities overall for concrete contractors, there is currently a labor shortage of skilled workers in the construction industry. It can still be a viable career choice to become a concrete contractor, as construction companies are struggling to fill openings left by resignations and retirements.
Benefits of concrete contractor software
Today’s concrete contractors have a variety of industry-specific technology available to help them manage projects and resources.
Raken’s concrete contractor software keeps tasks on track better than pen and paper. Our easy-to-use web and mobile app features:
Daily progress reporting - Collect and share progress updates in real time, for clear visibility and better communication with GCs
Time tracking - Accurately track time with three flexible time entry options and eliminate payroll errors
Production tracking - Closely track materials and other resources to measure progress against estimates
Safety and quality tools - Keep your team safe and productive with checklists, observations, and toolbox talks
Photo and video capture - Capture visual data with automatic time and date stamps
Raken is simple and straightforward—We keep all your important project info in one place, without overly complicated processes. Get daily reporting done fast, so your crew can go home on time at the end of the workday.