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Brickmasons and Blockmasons

Typical education: High school diplomaHigh pressure

What they do

Lay and bind building materials, such as brick, structural tile, concrete block, cinder block, glass block, and terra-cotta block, with mortar and other substances, to construct or repair walls, partitions, arches, sewers, and other structures.

Kinds of work

  • Realistic: Hands-on work with tools, machines, plants or animals, often outdoors.
  • Conventional: Organizing information, following clear procedures and working with data and details.

High pressure: How much pressure workers in this job report: deadlines, conflict, dealing with upset people, the cost of mistakes, responsibility for others' safety, competition and long hours. It varies a lot from one employer to the next. Source: U.S. Department of Labor worker surveys.

Pay, tasks and more

Salary

United States $62,120 Median per year · $29.87/hr Most earn $44,820–$100,010

BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, 2025.

What you might do

  • Mix specified amounts of sand, clay, dirt, or mortar powder with water to form refractory mixtures.
  • Measure distance from reference points and mark guidelines to lay out work, using plumb bobs and levels.
  • Spray or spread refractory material over brickwork to protect against deterioration.
  • Lay and align bricks, blocks, or tiles to build or repair structures or high temperature equipment, such as cupola, kilns, ovens, or furnaces.
  • Calculate angles and courses and determine vertical and horizontal alignment of courses.
  • Break or cut bricks, tiles, or blocks to size, using trowel edge, hammer, or power saw.

Job outlook

United States
1% more jobs by 2035, slower than average · about 4,100 openings a year

Openings include new jobs and jobs left by workers who retire or change careers. Projections: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. "Bright Outlook": U.S. Department of Labor.

Where they work

  • Masonry contractors62.7%
  • Self-employed (their own business)17.5%
  • Nonresidential building construction5.4%

Share of all workers in this career. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, National Employment Matrix.

Experience before this job: 1 to 2 years

Some people start through an apprenticeship: paid training on the job, often with classes. Search apprenticeships on Apprenticeship.gov (opens in a new tab) ↗

Career path

How people usually get into this career, from school to their first job and beyond.

Typical education: High school diplomaExperience before this job: 1 to 2 years

Brickmasons and blockmasons usually start with a high school diploma and learn on the job, so you don't need a college degree. Most people spend about 1 to 2 years as a helper or in a related entry-level role before they work as a mason on their own.

  1. High school diploma

    4 years

    Finish high school with good math (measuring and geometry) and shop or drafting classes, which help with reading plans and cutting materials accurately.

  2. Masonry Helper

    1-2 years

    Mix mortar, carry brick and block, and set up scaffolding while watching experienced masons. This hands-on time teaches you the skills you need to lay materials yourself.

  3. Brickmason and Blockmason

    Ongoing career

    Lay and bind brick, block, and other materials with mortar to build or repair walls, arches, and other structures, reading blueprints and checking work for level and straightness.

Where it can lead

  1. Lead Mason

    3-5 years of experience first

    You take charge of a small crew, plan the work, check quality, and make sure jobs stay on schedule and safe.

  2. Stonemason

    2-4 years of experience first

    You switch to a closely related trade that works with stone instead of brick and block, using many of the same tools and mortar skills.

What you can do now

Ideas for high school and college students.

In high school

  • Take geometry and algebraMeasuring, angles, and calculating how much material you need are everyday parts of masonry work.
  • Take shop, drafting, or construction classesThese teach you to read plans and use hand and power tools safely.
  • Get a summer or after-school job in construction or landscapingEven general labor gives you early experience on job sites and shows employers you are reliable.
  • Join a trades-focused club such as SkillsUSA, if your school has oneThese clubs build teamwork and can connect you with local trade programs and mentors.
  • Help with home repair or DIY projectsSmall projects like building a garden wall or patching a walkway let you practice working with mortar and materials.

In college

  • Take a construction technology or trades courseCourses in construction methods, blueprint reading, and building materials give you a head start on the job.
  • Get a part-time job on a construction crew or with a masonry companyWorking alongside masons, even as a laborer, is the most direct way to learn the trade and build experience.
  • Look into a community college masonry or construction certificate, if availableA short certificate can show employers you have formal training and understand safety basics.
  • Volunteer on a community building or Habitat-style project, if your area has oneHands-on volunteer work lets you practice laying block and working on a team with experienced builders.
  • Learn basic safety certifications, such as OSHA 10-hour construction training, if offeredSafety training is valued by employers and shows you are ready for job sites.

Tips for getting started

  • Ask a local masonry contractor or union hall whether they take on helpers or apprentices, and ask what they look for in a new worker. Showing up on time and being willing to learn matter a lot.
  • Get comfortable with basic safety and tools now, such as following safety rules, lifting correctly, and using a level and trowel. Many jobs will expect this from day one.
  • Keep track of the hands-on work you do, like summer jobs or projects at home, because employers often want to see that you have worked with your hands.

Related jobs that often lead here

Related jobs a step up

Education, experience and related careers: U.S. Department of Labor. The step-by-step path, where it can lead and what you can do now were written by AI as typical examples; many people take other ways.

College majors that lead here

Majors: U.S. Department of Education and BLS (CIP–SOC crosswalk). Earnings and debt: College Scorecard, typical across U.S. colleges.

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