CFChooseField
Construction and Trades

Floor Sanders and Finishers

Scrape and sand wooden floors to smooth surfaces using floor scraper and floor sanding machine, and apply coats of finish.

Visual summary of pay, outlook, skills, interests, and preparation for Floor Sanders and Finishers
Download graphic

Median pay

$49,150
Median annual pay for Floor Sanders and Finishers.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024
View source ↗

10-year growth

2.6%
Projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
View source ↗

Annual openings

400
Projected annual openings, including growth and replacement demand.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
View source ↗

Employment

5,600
Estimated U.S. employment for Floor Sanders and Finishers in 2024.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024
View source ↗

Jobs added or lost

+100
Projected numeric employment change from 2024 to 2034.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
View source ↗

Entry preparation

No formal educational credential
Typical additional preparation: Moderate-term on-the-job training.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024 profile
View source ↗
O*NET occupation profile

What the work involves

Strongest O*NET signals first.

Essential skills

  1. 1Active Listening
  2. 2Monitoring
  3. 3Critical Thinking
  4. 4Speaking
  5. 5Active Learning
  6. 6Reading Comprehension

Knowledge areas

  1. 1Building and Construction
  2. 2Customer and Personal Service
  3. 3English Language
  4. 4Production and Processing
  5. 5Administration and Management
  6. 6Mechanical

Abilities

  1. 1Arm-Hand Steadiness
  2. 2Control Precision
  3. 3Manual Dexterity
  4. 4Multilimb Coordination
  5. 5Trunk Strength
  6. 6Finger Dexterity

Career interests

  1. 1Realistic
  2. 2Conventional
  3. 3Enterprising
  4. 4Social
  5. 5Investigative
  6. 6Artistic

Work styles

  1. 1Attention to Detail
  2. 2Dependability
  3. 3Cautiousness
  4. 4Perseverance
  5. 5Achievement Orientation
  6. 6Stress Tolerance

Work activities

  1. 1Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
  2. 2Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials
  3. 3Getting Information
  4. 4Controlling Machines and Processes
  5. 5Performing General Physical Activities
  6. 6Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events

Work context

  1. 1Exposed to Contaminants
  2. 2Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls
  3. 3Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
  4. 4Spend Time Bending or Twisting Your Body
  5. 5Spend Time Making Repetitive Motions
  6. 6Exposed to Sounds, Noise Levels that are Distracting or Uncomfortable

Representative tasks

  • Buff and vacuum floors to ensure their cleanliness prior to the application of finish.
  • Scrape and sand floor edges and areas inaccessible to floor sanders, using scrapers, disk-type sanders, and sandpaper.
  • Inspect floors for smoothness.
  • Attach sandpaper to rollers of sanding machines.
  • Guide sanding machines over surfaces of floors until surfaces are smooth.
  • Apply filler compound and coats of finish to floors to seal wood.
  • Remove excess glue from joints, using knives, scrapers, or wood chisels.

Software and tools

Microsoft Excel · hot technologyFloor planning softwareFloorCOST Estimator for ExcelFlooring Technologies QFloorsMeasure SquarePacific Solutions FloorRightVimeo

Sources

BLS provides national pay, employment, and projections. O*NET provides skills, interests, preparation, tasks, work context, and tools.

ChooseField compares fields using public labor-market and professional sources.