Is Becoming a Cement Masons Worth It in Rhode Island? ROI Analysis

A data-driven look at the costs, earnings, and return on investment of a cement masons career in Rhode Island — compared to a 4-year college degree.

Cement Masons & Concrete Finishers in Rhode Island

ROI Analysis

Payback Period

$0

out of pocket

Excellent
Median Salary$62,250
Job Growth (10yr)+1%
Annual Openings24,100
Take-Home/Month$4,070
Training Cost$0 (earn while learning)
Training Time2-4 years
Avg. Debt$0
After Housing$2,585/mo

Apprenticeship Available — Earn While You Learn

Cement Masons & Concrete Finishers apprentices earn ~$106,448 during 2-4 years of training with $0 tuition.

Training Cost Breakdown

Training Cost

FREE

Training Time

2-4 years

Debt

$0

Payback

Instant

Typical path: Apprenticeship or on-the-job training; OPCMIA programs available

Cement Masons vs. College Degree

Training Cost

Cement Masons
$0
College Degree
$108,000

Average Debt

Cement Masons
$0
College Degree
$37,088

Time to First Paycheck

Cement Masons
3 years
College Degree
4.5 years

Cumulative Earnings Over 30 Years

Cement Masons vs. 4-year college degree (2.5% annual raises)

Cement Masonss start earning 1.5 years sooner

By the time a college graduate starts working, a cement masons has already earned $232,504. After 25 years, the trade path nets $2,010,328 vs. $1,359,148 for a college degree — a clear financial advantage.

Debt Advantage

$37,088

less debt

Head Start

1.5 years

earning sooner

25-Year Trade

$2.0M

cumulative

25-Year College

$1.4M

cumulative

Salary Details in Rhode Island

Cement Masons & Concrete Finishers Salary Distribution in Rhode Island

Annual wages by percentile

Salary by Percentile

Annual salary distribution from entry-level to top earners

$47,570 (entry)$62,250 (median)$91,840 (top)

Purchasing Power in Rhode Island

Nominal Salary

$62,250

COL-Adjusted

$62,689

RPP: 99.3

Monthly Take-Home

$4,070

after taxes

After Housing

$2,585

rent: $1,485/mo

Employment Outlook

10-Year Growth

+1%(Slower than average)

Annual Openings

24,100

Current Employment

190,900

Education: No formal educational credential · Training: Moderate-term on-the-job training

Rhode Island Economy

Median Income

$82,500

Median Home

$352,000

Unemployment

3.7%

Bachelor's Rate

33.7%

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Becoming a cement masons in Rhode Island through an apprenticeship costs $0 in tuition. Apprentices earn approximately $106,448 during their 2-4 years of training. This is the most common and recommended path.
The median annual salary for cement masonss in Rhode Island is $62,250 ($29.93/hr). Salaries range from $47,570 (10th percentile) to $91,840 (90th percentile) based on experience and specialization.
Financially, cement masonss in Rhode Island earn $2,010,328 in cumulative earnings over 25 years, compared to $1,359,148 for the average college graduate. The trade path has a 1.5-year head start on earning income and $37,088 less in student debt. However, the right choice depends on your interests, career goals, and personal situation.
With an apprenticeship, there's no cost to pay back — you earn while you learn. This makes the cement masons career path one of the best financial investments available.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects +1% employment growth for cement masonss over the next decade (Slower than average). There are approximately 24,100 annual job openings nationwide.

Ready to Get Started?

Find cement masons training programs, apprenticeships, and trade schools near you in Rhode Island.

Links go to official government resources (DOL, CareerOneStop). Free to use.