Terrazzo Workers and Finishers
Terrazzo workers create beautiful, long-lasting floors and surfaces by mixing cement, sand, colorful pigments, and marble chips into artistic patterns. You'll use power grinders, polishing machines, and precision measuring tools to craft custom surfaces for buildings, from shopping malls to luxury hotels. This hands-on career combines technical skills with creativity, as you build wooden molds, blend materials to exact specifications, and polish surfaces to a mirror-like finish. Many workers learn through apprenticeships or vocational programs, and you'll often collaborate with construction teams to bring architectural visions to life.
Did you know?
Becoming a terrazzo artisan typically requires completing an apprenticeship program or attending specialized trade schools, as this craft demands both technical skills in mixing materials and artistic abilities for design work.
At a glance
Typical average pay
$61,800 Avg/yr
Growth
Stable
Things to consider
Physical Demands and Health Considerations
The work involves extensive kneeling, lifting heavy materials, and exposure to dust and chemicals, requiring good physical condition and adherence to safety protocols to prevent respiratory and musculoskeletal issues.
Niche Market with Variable Demand
Terrazzo work represents a specialized segment of the construction industry with demand tied to commercial construction, renovation projects, and high-end residential work, making income potentially variable based on economic cycles.
Key responsibilities
Wet surface to prepare for bonding, fill holes and cracks with grout or slurry, and smooth with a trowel.
Grind surfaces with a power grinder, or polish surfaces with polishing or surfacing machines.
Clean installation site, mixing and storage areas, tools, machines, and equipment, and store materials and equipment.
Chip, scrape, or grind high spots, ridges, or rough projections to finish concrete, using pneumatic chisel, hand chisel, or other hand tools.
Repair concrete by cutting out damaged areas, drilling holes for reinforcing rods, and positioning reinforcing rods, using power saw and drill.