How much do cement masons make in Colorado in 2026?

Cement masons in Colorado earn a median $60,700 a year, which works out to $29.18 an hour based on a 2,080-hour work year. That number sits in the middle of the range — half the cement masons in the state earn more, half earn less. If you're just starting out or working in a slower market, the 25th percentile comes in at $49,070 annually ($23.59/hr). Experienced masons working in higher-demand areas or on larger commercial and infrastructure projects land at the 75th percentile: $65,940 a year, or $31.70 an hour. All figures come from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2025.

The gap between the bottom and top of that range is worth paying attention to. The spread from the 25th to the 75th percentile is $16,870 per year — about $8.11 an hour. That's real money, and it reflects genuine differences in experience, employer type, project complexity, and geography within Colorado.

Geography matters inside Colorado's borders. The Front Range corridor — Denver, Aurora, Colorado Springs, and Fort Collins — drives the bulk of commercial and residential construction volume in the state. Masons working on large concrete pours for high-rise residential, office, or transportation projects in these metro areas typically land closer to the median or above it. Rural areas and smaller markets tend to pull wages down toward the 25th percentile, though cost of living differences partially offset the pay gap.

The type of work you do also moves your pay. Masons doing finish work on decorative or polished concrete surfaces, placing and finishing concrete for tilt-up construction, or specializing in industrial flatwork often command higher rates than those doing basic residential flatwork. Proficiency with laser screeds, ride-on trowels, and concrete grinding equipment is increasingly expected on commercial jobs and can strengthen your position when negotiating pay.

Colorado's construction sector has seen sustained activity in infrastructure — highway and bridge work funded through federal and state programs keeps concrete crews busy through seasons that might otherwise slow down. These public works projects often pay better per hour than residential new construction, and they tend to offer steadier hours over the course of a project.

No union scale data is available for cement masons in Colorado at this time. Where union agreements do exist in other states, they typically establish hourly minimums with defined benefit packages layered on top of base wages. If you're weighing a union versus open-shop position in Colorado, ask the employer for the full compensation breakdown — wages, health insurance, retirement contributions, and annuity funds — rather than comparing base hourly rates alone.

Overtime is common in this trade, especially during peak concrete season when contractors are racing against weather windows. A mason earning $29.18/hr at straight time earns $43.77/hr at time-and-a-half. Even a modest 5 hours of overtime per week over a 30-week season adds roughly $6,000 to annual take-home pay, which pushes effective annual earnings well above the median figure.

To move up in this trade in Colorado, journeymen with ACI (American Concrete Institute) certifications — particularly ACI Flatwork Technician and Finisher or ACI Concrete Field Testing Technician — are in demand on projects that require documented quality control. Some contractors will pay a premium or assign lead roles to certified masons, which carries additional pay. Foreman positions for concrete crews in Colorado typically push annual compensation above the 75th percentile threshold.

The numbers on this page represent wage income only. They do not include employer-paid benefits, per diem for travel, tool allowances, or overtime. Use these figures as a baseline when sizing up a job offer or negotiating a raise — not as a ceiling.