Across U.S. metros, concrete finishers typically earn $9,605 more a year than painters (20%). In the 315 metros where BLS publishes both, concrete finishers earn more in 273 and painters in 42.
| Concrete Finisher | Painter | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical metro median pay | $57,245 | $47,640 |
| Lowest metro median | $27,610 | $23,180 |
| Highest metro median | $104,450 | $84,370 |
| Job growth 2025–35 (U.S.) | +1.6% | +3.0% |
| Openings per year (U.S.) | 13,600 | 24,900 |
| Self-employed | 2% | 31% |
| Typical education | No formal educational credential | No formal educational credential |
| Typical training | Moderate-term on-the-job training | Moderate-term on-the-job training |
| Injury rate per 10k workers (U.S.) | 25 | 124 |
| Metros with pay data | 334 | 359 |
On safety, painters report more injuries that cause missed work (124 vs. 25 per 10,000 full-time workers, national 2023–24).
Pay: BLS OEWS May 2025 (typical = median across metros). Growth, openings, education, training: BLS Employment Projections 2025–35. Injuries: BLS SOII 2023–24.
Where concrete finishers out-earn painters the most Our calculation
Gap in median yearly pay, same metro.
Where painters out-earn concrete finishers the most
Gap in median yearly pay, same metro.
State by state Government data
Using statewide pay, concrete finishers earn more in 46 states and painters in 5. The gap favors concrete finishers most in Alaska ($31,980) and painters most in Maine ($3,590).
BLS OEWS statewide medians, May 2025.
How the work differs Government data
The biggest differences: Climbing ladders, scaffolds or poles: occasionally for concrete finishers, often for painters. Outdoors, in all kinds of weather: very often for concrete finishers, sometimes for painters.
| Concrete Finisher | Painter | |
|---|---|---|
| Outdoors, in all kinds of weather | Very often | Sometimes |
| Indoors with heating and air conditioning | Rarely | Sometimes |
| Very hot or cold conditions | Very often | Sometimes |
| Working at heights | Occasionally | Often |
| Climbing ladders, scaffolds or poles | Occasionally | Often |
| Cramped spaces and awkward positions | Sometimes | Sometimes |
| Loud noise | Very often | Sometimes |
| Hazardous conditions | Occasionally | Sometimes |
| Standing, bending, kneeling and walking | Very often | Often |
| Sitting | Rarely | Rarely |
O*NET 31.0 Work Context, national.
What each trade does
Concrete Finisher
Smooth and finish surfaces of poured concrete, such as floors, walks, sidewalks, roads, or curbs using a variety of hand and power tools. Align forms for sidewalks, curbs, or gutters; patch voids; and use saws to cut expansion joints.
Painter
Paint walls, equipment, buildings, bridges, and other structural surfaces, using brushes, rollers, and spray guns. May remove old paint to prepare surface prior to painting. May mix colors or oils to obtain desired color or consistency.
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