How much does a floor sander and finisher make?
The median floor sander and finisher in the United States earns $50,440 per year, about $24.25 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all floor sanders and finishers earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 47-2043.
Floor sander and finisher salary range
Pay for floor sanders and finishers spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $37,070 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $70,340. The average (mean) wage of $52,460 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $37,070 | $17.82 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $41,600 | $20.00 | |
| Median (50th) | $50,440 | $24.25 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $59,620 | $28.66 | |
| 90th percentile | $70,340 | $33.82 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for floor sanders and finishers (SOC 47-2043), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Floor sander and finisher salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Floor sanders and finishers earn the most in Utah at $74,240 a year, and the least in North Carolina at $39,170. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Utah | $74,240 | 30 |
| Minnesota | $62,940 | N/A |
| Oregon | $62,020 | N/A |
| New York | $60,470 | 240 |
| Massachusetts | $58,230 | N/A |
| Washington | $55,620 | 90 |
| Colorado | $55,180 | 130 |
| Kentucky | $54,580 | N/A |
| Florida | $52,060 | 270 |
| Michigan | $51,400 | N/A |
| Maryland | $51,100 | N/A |
| Missouri | $48,540 | N/A |
| Ohio | $48,000 | N/A |
| New Hampshire | $47,310 | N/A |
| Virginia | $46,860 | 110 |
| Iowa | $46,810 | 30 |
| Indiana | $46,520 | N/A |
| Pennsylvania | $45,450 | 30 |
| South Carolina | $44,310 | 60 |
| Nebraska | $43,880 | N/A |
| Georgia | $40,530 | N/A |
| Texas | $40,120 | 140 |
| North Carolina | $39,170 | 190 |
State median wages for floor sanders and finishers (SOC 47-2043), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for floor sanders and finishers
The BLS projects employment of floor sanders and finishers to grow 1.4% from 2025 to 2035. That is slower than the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 4,700 jobs in 2025 moving toward 4,700 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 300 openings a year for floor sanders and finishers. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a floor sander and finisher
The typical entry-level education for floor sanders and finishers is no formal educational credential, according to the BLS. New hires typically complete moderate-term on-the-job training to reach full competency.
A four-year college degree is usually not required to start, which makes this one of the jobs you can enter without a bachelor's degree. See more high paying jobs without a degree .
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a floor sander and finisher earns
Experience, licensing, certifications, region, and overtime move these numbers the most. A licensed, experienced worker in a high cost metro or a strong union market lands near the top of the range, while apprentices and workers in rural areas start closer to the bottom.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (Utah, $74,240) and the lowest (North Carolina, $39,170) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 3,720 people work as floor sanders and finishers in the United States. At $50,440 a year, the job pays below the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Floor sander and finisher salary FAQ
How much does a floor sander and finisher make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a floor sander and finisher is $24.25. The middle half of floor sanders and finishers earn between $20.00 and $28.66 per hour.
What is the highest floor sander and finisher salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of floor sanders and finishers earn more than $70,340 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a floor sander and finisher make a year?
The median annual salary for a floor sander and finisher is $50,440. The average (mean) wage of $52,460 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a floor sander and finisher a well paid job?
At $50,440 a year, a floor sander and finisher earns below the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 3,720 people work as floor sanders and finishers in the United States.
Which state pays floor sanders and finishers the most?
Utah has the highest median salary for floor sanders and finishers at $74,240 a year. Minnesota ($62,940) and Oregon ($62,020) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being a floor sander and finisher a good career?
Employment of floor sanders and finishers is projected to grow 1.4% from 2025 to 2035, slower than the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 300 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a floor sander and finisher?
No. The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for floor sanders and finishers as no formal educational credential, so a four-year degree is usually not required to start.
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