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Floor Sanders and Finishers

O*NET files this work under Floor Sanders and Finishers: people who scrape and sand wooden floors to smooth surfaces using floor scraper and floor sanding machine, and apply coats of finish. On the six-type interest model it reads RCE, meaning hands-on work with tools, machines or the physical world comes first, followed by orderly work with data, records and clear procedures. The preparation level is some preparation, typically a few months to a year of learning on the job. O*NET’s skill data points to operation and control, coordination, and active listening as the ones to build. One core duty is to buff and vacuum floors to ensure their cleanliness prior to the application of finish. If you want hands-on work with tools, machines or the physical world, keep it on your list. If you need creative work with room for original expression, it may feel thin.

What they do

Scrape and sand wooden floors to smooth surfaces using floor scraper and floor sanding machine, and apply coats of finish.

Main tasks

  • Buff and vacuum floors to ensure their cleanliness prior to the application of finish.
  • Scrape and sand floor edges and areas inaccessible to floor sanders, using scrapers, disk-type sanders, and sandpaper.
  • Inspect floors for smoothness.
  • Attach sandpaper to rollers of sanding machines.
  • Guide sanding machines over surfaces of floors until surfaces are smooth.
  • Apply filler compound and coats of finish to floors to seal wood.

Skills

  • Operation and Control
  • Coordination
  • Active Listening
  • Time Management
  • Operations Monitoring
  • Monitoring

Who this career fits

May suit you if

  • You like ending the day with a physical result you can point to.
  • You want to start work after a short stretch of training.
  • You are comfortable relying on operation and control and coordination.

May not suit you if

  • You would rather stay away from physical, hands-on tasks.
  • You need creative expression to be a big part of your day. Artistic rates 1.4 out of 7 here.
  • You want a career built on years of advanced study.

Interest profile

O*NET rates each occupation from 1 to 7 on six interest types. The code RCE takes the three highest, and Realistic comes first here.

Preparation

Some preparation. Most people start with a high school diploma, then learn from experienced coworkers over a few months to a year.

Most-reported requirement in the O*NET survey: Less than a High School Diploma. This reflects what workers reported most often and is not a legal minimum. Licensing rules can differ by state or industry, so confirm what applies where you plan to work.

Also called

  • Finisher
  • Floor Finisher
  • Floor Mechanic
  • Floor Refinisher
  • Floor Sander

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This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.