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Building/Construction Finishing

44 schools compared · Average earnings $36,482/yr

What Building/Construction Finishing Graduates Do

You’ll start by solving tangible problems on active job sites. As a maintenance worker or painter, your day involves hands-on tasks: troubleshooting a building’s electrical systems with a multimeter, prepping surfaces, or applying the final coats of paint that make a project complete. With experience, you can advance to a First-Line Supervisor role. Here, your focus shifts from using tools to managing teams, coordinating schedules from blueprints, and ensuring job site safety and quality standards are met.

This career path offers clear advancement. Many start in finishing trades and progress to journeyman status before leading their own crews or specializing as a building inspector. It’s a stable field because you’re managing physical assets and people on-site—work that simply can't be automated or done remotely. Your earnings reflect this progression, moving from a solid starting wage to significantly higher pay as a supervisor. The most experienced can become facilities managers, commanding six-figure incomes to oversee entire building portfolios. With strong demand for skilled supervisors, your expertise will be valued across the industry.

Schools Offering

Avg Grad Earnings

$36,482/yr

Avg TradeSchoolOutlook Score

61/100

AI-Proof Rating

AI-Proof

85% of tasks AI-shielded

Apprenticeship Paths

View pathways ↓

Registered Apprenticeship Pathways

The U.S. Department of Labor recognizes 60 registered apprenticeship occupations related to Building/Construction Finishing. Apprenticeships let you earn while you learn — most have zero tuition costs and pay wages from day one.

Apprenticeship	Training Hours	Type	Salary RangeSalary	Growth
Acoustical Carpenter (Alternate Title: Acoustical Specialist) RAPIDS 861	8000 hrs ~4.0 yrs	Time	$47K – $58,140 – $73K	4.2%
Acoustical Specialist (Existing Title: Acoustical Carpenter) RAPIDS 0861R-HY	5200-8000 hrs	Hybrid	$47K – $58,140 – $73K	4.2%
Architectural, Coatings Finisher RAPIDS 105	6000 hrs ~3.0 yrs	Time	$43K – $48,660 – $60K	3.8%
Assembler, Metal Building RAPIDS 877	4000 hrs ~2.0 yrs	Time	$49K – $62,700 – $83K	4.4%
Boiler And Pressure Vessel Inspector RAPIDS 1119	2000 hrs ~1.0 yrs	Time	$57K – $72,120 – $92K	-0.8%
Building Maintenance Repairer (Ex. Title: Maintenance Repairer, Building) RAPIDS 0310HY	3901-4422 hrs	Hybrid	$39K – $48,620 – $62K	3.8%
Building Maintenance Repairer (Ex. Title: Maintenance Repairer, Building) RAPIDS 0310R	4000 hrs ~2.0 yrs	Time	$39K – $48,620 – $62K	3.8%
Carpet Layer RAPIDS 71	6000 hrs ~3.0 yrs	Time	$39K – $49,850 – $66K	-9.6%
Cement Mason RAPIDS 75	4000 hrs ~2.0 yrs	Time	$46K – $54,660 – $66K	1.8%
Cement Mason RAPIDS 0075HY	4500-8000 hrs	Hybrid	$46K – $54,660 – $66K	1.8%
Cement Mason (Alternate Title: Cement Mason Concrete Finisher) RAPIDS 0075R	8000 hrs ~4.0 yrs	Time	$46K – $54,660 – $66K	1.8%
Composite Plastic Fabricator (Existing Title: Insulation Worker (Military Only) RAPIDS 0909R	5920 hrs ~3.0 yrs	Time	$40K – $48,680 – $60K	3.8%
Dry-Wall Applicator RAPIDS 145	4000 hrs ~2.0 yrs	Time	$47K – $58,140 – $73K	4.2%
Drywall Applicator Specialist (Existing Title: Dry-Wall Applicator) RAPIDS 0145HY	5200-8000 hrs	Hybrid	$47K – $58,140 – $73K	4.2%
Drywall Applicator Specialist (Existing Title: Dry-Wall Applicator) RAPIDS 0145	4000 hrs ~2.0 yrs	Time	$47K – $58,140 – $73K	4.2%
Field Tech Concrete/Masonry Inspect RAPIDS 1121HY	3000-6000 hrs	Hybrid	$57K – $72,120 – $92K	-0.8%
Field Tech Soil/Asphalt Inspector RAPIDS 1122HY	2400-6000 hrs	Hybrid	$57K – $72,120 – $92K	-0.8%
Field Tech Steel/Weld/Fireproof Inspect RAPIDS 1123HY	3000-6000 hrs	Hybrid	$57K – $72,120 – $92K	-0.8%
Floor Cover (Existing Title: Floor Layer) RAPIDS 0199R	8000 hrs ~4.0 yrs	Time	$45K – $54,340 – $72K	9.5%
Floor Cover Layer (Rr Equip) RAPIDS 201	6000 hrs ~3.0 yrs	Time	$45K – $54,340 – $72K	9.5%
Floor Layer RAPIDS 199	6000 hrs ~3.0 yrs	Time	$45K – $54,340 – $72K	9.5%
Floor Layer (Alternate Title: Floor Cover) RAPIDS 0199HY	5200-8000 hrs	Hybrid	$45K – $54,340 – $72K	9.5%
Glazier RAPIDS 0221HY	5200-8000 hrs	Hybrid	$46K – $55,440 – $68K	3.3%
Glazier RAPIDS 221	8000 hrs ~4.0 yrs	Time	$46K – $55,440 – $68K	3.3%
Glazier, Architectural RAPIDS 0221R1	4000 hrs ~2.0 yrs	Time	$46K – $55,440 – $68K	3.3%
Glazier, Stained Glass RAPIDS 222	8000 hrs ~4.0 yrs	Time	$46K – $55,440 – $68K	3.3%
Industrial Maintenance Repairer RAPIDS 0311R	8000 hrs ~4.0 yrs	Time	$39K – $48,620 – $62K	3.8%
Inspector, Building RAPIDS 941	6000 hrs ~3.0 yrs	Time	$57K – $72,120 – $92K	-0.8%
Insulation Worker RAPIDS 0909	8000 hrs ~4.0 yrs	Time	$47K – $57,250 – $75K	4.7%
Insulation Worker RAPIDS 0909HY	5200-8000 hrs	Hybrid	$47K – $57,250 – $75K	4.7%
Insulator (Thermal) (Existing Title: Insulation Worker) (Military Only) RAPIDS 0909R1	5920 hrs ~3.0 yrs	Time	$47K – $57,250 – $75K	4.7%
Maint Repairer, Industrial RAPIDS 311	8000 hrs ~4.0 yrs	Time	$39K – $48,620 – $62K	3.8%
Maintenance Repairer, Build RAPIDS 310	4000 hrs ~2.0 yrs	Time	$39K – $48,620 – $62K	3.8%
Manager, Household (Private Residence) RAPIDS 1061	4000 hrs ~2.0 yrs	Time	$39K – $47,520 – $60K	2.5%
Marble Setter RAPIDS 0313	8000 hrs ~4.0 yrs	Time	$45K – $52,240 – $65K	10.1%
Marble Setter RAPIDS 0313HY	4500-8000 hrs	Hybrid	$45K – $52,240 – $65K	10.1%
Marine Services Technician RAPIDS 946	6000 hrs ~3.0 yrs	Time	$39K – $48,620 – $62K	3.8%
Mosaic Worker RAPIDS 0353	8000 hrs ~4.0 yrs	Time	$45K – $52,240 – $65K	10.1%
Mosaic Worker RAPIDS 0353HY	4500-8000 hrs	Hybrid	$45K – $52,240 – $65K	10.1%
Painter (Existing Title: Painter, Shipyard) (Military Only) RAPIDS 0385R	5920 hrs ~3.0 yrs	Time	$43K – $48,660 – $60K	3.8%
Painter (Const) RAPIDS 379	6000 hrs ~3.0 yrs	Time	$43K – $48,660 – $60K	3.8%
Painter, Indust Coating And Lining App Specialist RAPIDS 2009HY	4632-6032 hrs	Hybrid	$43K – $48,660 – $60K	3.8%
Painter, Shipyard RAPIDS 385	6000 hrs ~3.0 yrs	Time	$43K – $48,660 – $60K	3.8%
Painter-Decorator (Painter Const) RAPIDS 0379HY	4572-7052 hrs	Hybrid	$43K – $48,660 – $60K	3.8%
Paperhanger RAPIDS 390	4000 hrs ~2.0 yrs	Time	$41K – $48,260 – $58K	5.3%
Pavement Striper RAPIDS 1042	4000 hrs ~2.0 yrs	Time	$43K – $48,660 – $60K	3.8%
Pipe Coverer & Insulator RAPIDS 411	8000 hrs ~4.0 yrs	Time	$47K – $57,250 – $75K	4.7%
Roofer RAPIDS 480	4000 hrs ~2.0 yrs	Time	$45K – $50,970 – $64K	5.9%
Soft Tile Setter (Const) RAPIDS 449	6000 hrs ~3.0 yrs	Time	$45K – $54,340 – $72K	9.5%
Structural Steel Worker (Alternate Titles: Ironworker Or Structural Ironworker) RAPIDS 669	6000 hrs ~3.0 yrs	Time	$49K – $62,700 – $83K	4.4%
Structural Steel/Ironworker (Existing Title: Structural Steel Worker) RAPIDS 0669HY	6000-8000 hrs	Hybrid	$49K – $62,700 – $83K	4.4%
Tank Setter (Petrol Prod) RAPIDS 558	4000 hrs ~2.0 yrs	Time	$49K – $62,700 – $83K	4.4%
Terrazzo Finisher RAPIDS 972	4000 hrs ~2.0 yrs	Time	$47K – $57,260 – $73K	-11.1%
Terrazzo Finisher RAPIDS 0972HY	3500-4000 hrs	Hybrid	$47K – $57,260 – $73K	-11.1%
Terrazzo Installer (Existing Title: Terrazzo Worker) RAPIDS 0568R-HY	5200-8000 hrs	Hybrid	$47K – $57,260 – $73K	-11.1%
Terrazzo Worker RAPIDS 0568HY	4500-8000 hrs	Hybrid	$47K – $57,260 – $73K	-11.1%
Terrazzo Worker (Alternate Title: Terrazzo Installer) RAPIDS 568	8000 hrs ~4.0 yrs	Time	$47K – $57,260 – $73K	-11.1%
Tile Setter RAPIDS 573	6000 hrs ~3.0 yrs	Time	$45K – $52,240 – $65K	10.1%
Tile Setter RAPIDS 0573HY	4500-8000 hrs	Hybrid	$45K – $52,240 – $65K	10.1%
Utility Locator/Locator Technician RAPIDS 2041HY	2000-4000 hrs	Hybrid	$57K – $72,120 – $92K	-0.8%

Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Registered Apprenticeship Partners Information Database (RAPIDS). Wages and job growth from Bureau of Labor Statistics 2024–2034 projections.

Best Schools for Building/Construction Finishing

Top 20 of 44 schools ranked by TradeSchoolOutlook Score. Click any row for full earnings projections and AI-proof analysis.

#	School	Score	EarningsEarn	ROI
1	North Hennepin Community College Brooklyn Park, MN	90 88–90	$66,902/yr	131.5x
2	Rochester Community and Technical College Rochester, MN	88 85–88	$61,196/yr	118.2x
3	Cabrillo College Aptos, CA	88 86–88	$47,566/yr	373.5x
4	Portland Community College Portland, OR	82 82–82	$63,103/yr	61.6x
5	Rochester Community and Technical College Rochester, MN	81 79–81	$62,398/yr	56.9x
6	Ivy Tech Community College Indianapolis, IN	81 77–82	$51,303/yr	70.7x
7	Interactive College of Technology-Chamblee Chamblee, GA	78 77–78	$55,188/yr	47.7x
8	Chippewa Valley Technical College Eau Claire, WI	77 76–77	$37,575/yr	78.5x
9	Flint Hills Technical College Emporia, KS	75 73–76	$47,694/yr	46.8x
10	Grand Rapids Community College Grand Rapids, MI	75 74–76	$33,914/yr	66.3x
11	Northeast Community College Norfolk, NE	74 71–74	$37,514/yr	60.7x
12	Erie Community College Buffalo, NY	71 71–72	$44,535/yr	37.3x
13	Dunwoody College of Technology Minneapolis, MN	67 66–68	$59,074/yr	10.5x
14	Orleans Technical College Philadelphia, PA	67 65–68	$39,735/yr	—
15	Lake Area Technical College Watertown, SD	66 66–66	$38,635/yr	27.8x
16	Mitchell Technical College Mitchell, SD	66 64–66	$37,485/yr	29.2x
17	Pennsylvania College of Technology Williamsport, PA	64 63–64	$44,225/yr	11.3x
18	Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology Lancaster, PA	63 62–63	$36,873/yr	19.4x
19	Tidewater Tech-Trades Norfolk, VA	62 61–63	$35,172/yr	22.6x
20	New Castle School of Trades New Castle, PA	62 60–63	$31,601/yr	—
21	ETI Technical College Niles, OH	61 61–61	$30,983/yr	27.0x
22	CET-San Diego San Diego, CA	60 58–60	$28,485/yr	—
23	CET-San Jose San Jose, CA	60 58–60	$28,485/yr	—
24	CET-El Centro El Centro, CA	60 58–60	$28,485/yr	—
25	CET-Colton Colton, CA	60 58–60	$28,485/yr	—
26	CET-Watsonville Watsonville, CA	60 58–60	$28,485/yr	—
27	CET-Coachella Coachella, CA	60 58–60	$28,485/yr	—
28	CET-Oxnard Oxnard, CA	60 58–60	$28,485/yr	—
29	CET-Santa Maria Santa Maria, CA	60 58–60	$28,485/yr	—
30	CET-Alexandria Alexandria, VA	60 58–60	$28,485/yr	—
31	CET-Soledad Soledad, CA	60 58–60	$28,485/yr	—
32	Centura College-Virginia Beach Virginia Beach, VA	59 58–59	$31,641/yr	18.0x
33	Centura College-Newport News Newport News, VA	59 58–59	$31,641/yr	18.0x
34	Centura College-Richmond Main North Chesterfield, VA	59 58–59	$31,641/yr	18.0x
35	Motoring Technical Training Institute Seekonk, MA	59 57–59	$26,989/yr	—
36	South Florida Institute of Technology Miami, FL	58 57–59	$26,701/yr	—
37	Employment Solutions-College for Technical Education Lexington, KY	57 55–58	$25,158/yr	—
38	Michigan Career and Technical Institute Plainwell, MI	56 55–57	$23,493/yr	31.3x
39	Remington College-Cleveland Campus Cleveland, OH	54 53–55	$26,736/yr	15.4x
40	Remington College-Lafayette Campus Lafayette, LA	53 51–53	$26,736/yr	11.0x
41	Remington College-Dallas Campus Dallas, TX	53 51–53	$26,736/yr	10.2x
42	Remington College-Fort Worth Campus North Richland Hills, TX	53 52–54	$26,736/yr	12.8x
43	Remington College-Memphis Campus Memphis, TN	53 52–54	$26,736/yr	12.3x
44	Remington College-Nashville Campus Nashville, TN	53 52–53	$26,736/yr	11.6x

Highest Earning Building/Construction Finishing Programs

Schools where Building/Construction Finishing graduates earn the most in their first year after graduation.

School	1-Year Earnings	Score
North Hennepin Community College	$66,902/yr	90
Portland Community College	$63,103/yr	82
Rochester Community and Technical College	$62,398/yr	81
Rochester Community and Technical College	$61,196/yr	88
Dunwoody College of Technology	$59,074/yr	67
Interactive College of Technology-Chamblee	$55,188/yr	78
Ivy Tech Community College	$51,303/yr	81
Flint Hills Technical College	$47,694/yr	75
Cabrillo College	$47,566/yr	88
Erie Community College	$44,535/yr	71

Best ROI for Building/Construction Finishing

Schools with the highest earnings-to-tuition ratio for Building/Construction Finishing.

School	ROI Multiple	Earnings	Score
Cabrillo College	373.5x	$47,566/yr	88
North Hennepin Community College	131.5x	$66,902/yr	90
Rochester Community and Technical College	118.2x	$61,196/yr	88
Chippewa Valley Technical College	78.5x	$37,575/yr	77
Ivy Tech Community College	70.7x	$51,303/yr	81
Grand Rapids Community College	66.3x	$33,914/yr	75
Portland Community College	61.6x	$63,103/yr	82
Northeast Community College	60.7x	$37,514/yr	74
Rochester Community and Technical College	56.9x	$62,398/yr	81
Interactive College of Technology-Chamblee	47.7x	$55,188/yr	78

Related Majors

Explore similar fields of study.

Considering a 4-Year Degree?

Compare the trade route with a bachelor's degree. See how Building/Construction Finishing degree programs stack up on earnings, AI disruption risk, and ROI.

Frequently Asked Questions

What do Building/Construction Finishing graduates make in their first year?

The median first-year salary across 44 Building/Construction Finishing programs is $36,482. School selection matters — the gap between the lowest ($23,493) and highest ($66,902) earning programs is significant.

How AI-proof is a career in Building/Construction Finishing?

AI resilience for Building/Construction Finishing is classified as "AI-Proof." Approximately 85% of typical job tasks are hands-on — the vast majority of the daily work involves skills that current AI technology cannot perform.

Which school has the best Building/Construction Finishing program?

Based on the TradeSchoolOutlook Score (combining earnings, AI resilience, job market size, and ROI), North Hennepin Community College ranks #1 for Building/Construction Finishing with a score of 90/100 and graduate earnings of $66,902/yr.

Is Building/Construction Finishing worth it?

The average 10-year earnings multiple is 50.2x tuition. This is a strong return on investment. The spread between the best and worst programs is wide, so individual school selection has a major impact.

Data from College Scorecard, Bureau of Labor Statistics 2024–2034, DOL RAPIDS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →