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Floor Sander and Finisher

What You Need to Know About Floor Sander and Finisher

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

Daily Life Of a Floor Sander & Finisher

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

Qualities of a Floor Sander & Finisher

Floor Sanders and Finishers state the following job skills are important in their day-to-day work.

Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Operation and Control: Controlling operations of equipment or systems.

Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

Coordination: Adjusting actions in relation to others’ actions.

Complex Problem Solving: Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.

Types of Floor Sander & Finisher Jobs

  • Floor Sander
  • Hardwood Finisher
  • Construction Worker I
  • Floor Scraper
  • Floor Refinisher

Floor Sander & Finisher Job Outlook

There were about 7,300 jobs for Floor Sander and Finisher in 2016 (in the United States). New jobs are being produced at a rate of 8.2% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 600 new jobs for Floor Sander and Finisher by 2026. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 700 job openings in this field each year.

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The states with the most job growth for Floor Sander & Finisher are Colorado, Arizona, and Washington. Watch out if you plan on working in Tennessee, Maryland, or Wisconsin. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.

How Much Does a Floor Sander & Finisher Make?

Floor Sanders and Finishers make between $25,380 and $56,850 a year.

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Floor Sanders and Finishers who work in Illinois, California, or New York, make the highest salaries.

How much do Floor Sanders and Finishers make in different U.S. states?

State Annual Mean Salary
Arkansas $33,470
California $50,470
Colorado $35,540
Delaware $39,770
Illinois $62,090
Maryland $40,120
Massachusetts $38,480
Michigan $43,570
Missouri $30,970
Nebraska $34,300
Nevada $36,890
New Hampshire $39,140
New Jersey $50,360
New York $45,950
North Carolina $31,180
Ohio $41,620
Oregon $41,680
Pennsylvania $37,350
Tennessee $38,200
Texas $40,940
Virginia $37,900
Washington $50,160
Wisconsin $37,570

Tools & Technologies Used by Floor Sanders and Finishers

Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Floor Sanders and Finishers:

  • Microsoft Excel
  • Flooring Technologies QFloors
  • FloorCOST Estimator for Excel
  • Saltire Software FloorRight
  • Floor planning software

How do I Become a Floor Sander & Finisher?

What kind of Floor Sander and Finisher requirements are there?

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How Long Does it Take to Become a Floor Sander & Finisher?

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Who Employs Floor Sanders and Finishers?

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Below are examples of industries where Floor Sanders and Finishers work:

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References:

Image Credit: Margo Wright via Public domain

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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