Concrete is everywhere, which makes it easy to forget how big the industry behind it really is. Every driveway, foundation, sidewalk, bridge deck, and parking garage traces back to a supply chain that starts at a cement plant and ends with a finishing crew on a hot afternoon.
If you work in concrete, or you're thinking about getting into it, here's a look at the U.S. concrete industry by the numbers: how much gets made, who does the work, what it pays, and where the jobs are.
How Much Cement the U.S. Makes and Uses
Cement is the binder that turns sand, stone, and water into concrete. According to the U.S. Geological Survey's 2026 Mineral Commodity Summaries (covering estimated 2025 figures):
- About 84 million metric tons of cement were produced in the U.S. (portland, blended, and masonry cement).
- About 110 million metric tons were consumed. The U.S. uses more cement than it makes and imports the difference.
- About 23 million metric tons of hydraulic cement were imported.
- Cement was made at 97 plants in 34 states and Puerto Rico.
- Shipments were valued at roughly $17 billion.
- 70% to 75% of cement sales went to ready-mixed concrete producers.
Globally, the U.S. ranks fifth in cement production, behind China, India, Vietnam, and Turkey. China alone produced an estimated 1.7 billion metric tons, close to half of the world's estimated 3.8 billion.
How Much Ready-Mix Concrete Gets Poured
Most cement ends up in ready-mixed concrete, the stuff that arrives in a drum truck. The National Ready Mixed Concrete Association estimates that U.S. production in 2024 was about 379 million cubic yards.
That's a hard number to picture, so here's some context:
- At about 10 cubic yards per truck, that's roughly 38 million truckloads a year.
- Spread across about 250 working days, that's around 150,000 truckloads every working day.
- It works out to roughly 1.1 cubic yards of ready-mix per person in the U.S. each year.
- At about 7 cubic yards per two-car driveway, it's enough for over 50 million driveways a year.
Of course, most of that concrete goes into roads, bridges, commercial buildings, and infrastructure, not driveways. But residential work, including foundations, slabs, flatwork, and decorative concrete, is a major share of the demand.
Who Does the Work: Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers
The Bureau of Labor Statistics tracks the workers who place and finish concrete under the occupation "Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers." Based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics for May 2023:
- Employment: about 203,560 workers nationwide
- Median wage: $24.38 per hour, or about $50,720 a year
- Average (mean) wage: $27.60 per hour, or about $57,410 a year
The pay range
| Percentile | Hourly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $18.00 | $37,440 |
| 25th | $21.49 | $44,690 |
| 50th (median) | $24.38 | $50,720 |
| 75th | $30.65 | $63,750 |
| 90th | $40.18 | $83,580 |
The spread is wide. Experience, specialization (decorative, polishing, restoration), union membership, overtime, and location all move the number. These figures cover employed workers, not business owners, so contractors who run their own crews can earn very differently depending on how they price and manage their work.
Where the Concrete Jobs Are
States with the most cement masons and concrete finishers
- California: 28,890
- Texas: 20,900
- Florida: 15,680
- New York: 9,460
- Arizona: 7,270
No surprise here: the biggest states with the most construction and population growth employ the most finishers. Sun Belt states also benefit from longer pouring seasons. (Speaking of which, we wrote about why winter is prime resurfacing season in Texas, California, and Florida.)
Top-paying states (average annual wage)
- Massachusetts: $82,770
- Hawaii: $79,690
- Alaska: $78,700
- New Jersey: $76,750
- New York: $75,250
Higher-cost regions, strong union presence, and shorter building seasons tend to push wages up.
Which kinds of companies employ them
- Foundation, structure, and building exterior contractors: 103,490
- Other specialty trade contractors: 36,040
- Highway, street, and bridge construction: 16,020
- Nonresidential building construction: 15,280
- Residential building construction: 7,530
About half of all cement masons and concrete finishers work for foundation and structure contractors. Notice how small the "residential building construction" number is. That's because most residential concrete work is subcontracted to specialty concrete companies rather than done by home builders' own crews.
The Big Trends Shaping the Industry
1. The labor shortage
Ask almost any concrete contractor about their biggest challenge and you'll hear the same answer: finding and keeping skilled workers. Finishing concrete is physically demanding and takes years to master, and fewer young workers are entering the trades. Contractors who invest in training, safety, and retention have a real advantage.
2. Repair and restoration growth
The country is full of aging concrete: driveways, sidewalks, pool decks, parking structures, and infrastructure poured decades ago. Owners increasingly look for ways to repair, level, and restore concrete rather than tear it out, which keeps restoration and maintenance work in steady demand even when new construction slows.
3. Lower-carbon concrete
Cement production is energy intensive and responsible for a meaningful share of global carbon emissions. The industry is responding with blended cements, more supplementary materials like fly ash and slag, and new mix technologies. Expect more specifications to call for lower-carbon mixes in the years ahead.
4. Technology on the jobsite
From laser screeds and GPS layout to concrete sensors that track temperature and strength in real time, technology is changing how big pours are planned and managed. Smaller contractors are adopting digital estimating, scheduling, and marketing tools to compete.
What It Means If You're in the Business
- Demand is enormous and steady. Hundreds of millions of cubic yards are poured every year, and much of today's concrete will need repair and maintenance in the future.
- Skilled labor is the bottleneck. Crews that are trained, reliable, and efficient are the biggest competitive advantage in the trade.
- Specialization pays. Decorative, repair, and restoration services can command higher prices than commodity flatwork. See the most profitable residential concrete services to offer.
- Pricing discipline matters. With costs rising, accurate bids protect your margins. Our guide on how to price a concrete resurfacing job walks through the real cost stack.
Quick Facts Recap
- U.S. cement production (2025 est.): ~84 million metric tons; consumption: ~110 million.
- U.S. ready-mix production (2024 est.): ~379 million cubic yards.
- Cement masons and concrete finishers: ~203,560 workers, median pay ~$50,720 (May 2023).
- Most finishers: California, Texas, Florida. Highest average pay: Massachusetts.
- About 70%–75% of U.S. cement goes into ready-mixed concrete.
