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Segmental Pavers

Typical education: High school diplomaHigh pressure

What they do

Lay out, cut, and place segmental paving units. Includes installers of bedding and restraining materials for the paving units.

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 $49,910 Median per year · $24.00/hr Most earn $36,510–$78,700

BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, 2025.

What you might do

  • Screed sand level to an even thickness, and recheck sand exposed to elements, raking and rescreeding if necessary.
  • Cut paving stones to size and for edges, using a splitter and a masonry saw.
  • Supply and place base materials, edge restraints, bedding sand and jointing sand.
  • Sweep sand into the joints and compact pavement until the joints are full.
  • Design paver installation layout pattern and create markings for directional references of joints and stringlines.
  • Compact bedding sand and pavers to finish the paved area, using a plate compactor.

Job outlook

United States
4% more jobs by 2035, about as fast as average · about 2,400 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

The Bureau of Labor Statistics doesn't break this career out by industry.

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

Segmental paving is a hands-on trade that you can start with just a high school diploma. Most people spend about 1 to 2 years working in related construction or paving jobs first, and then they are ready for this career.

  1. High school diploma

    4 years

    Build a base in math, shop, and drafting or blueprint reading, which helps with measuring, cutting, and laying out patterns.

  2. Construction Laborer

    1-2 years

    Work on job sites doing site prep, hauling materials, and running tools, so you learn how paving crews work and how to handle the physical demands of the job.

  3. Segmental Paver

    Entry point after about 1-2 years of related work

    Lay, cut, and set paving stones, edging, and bedding materials to build patios, walkways, driveways, and retaining walls.

Where it can lead

  1. Lead Paver

    2-4 years of experience first

    Take charge of a small crew, plan the layout, and make sure the work is done right and on schedule.

  2. Construction Supervisor

    3-5 years of experience first

    Oversee several crews or whole jobs, which usually means strong planning, communication, and safety skills, and sometimes extra training or certification.

What you can do now

Ideas for high school and college students.

In high school

  • Take shop, drafting, or woodworking classesThese teach measuring, cutting, and reading plans, which are everyday skills for pavers.
  • Take math classes like geometryGeometry helps with laying out patterns, calculating areas, and figuring out slopes.
  • Get a summer or weekend job on a landscaping or construction crewHands-on work outdoors shows you what the job feels like and builds a work history.
  • Help with home or yard projectsHelping build a garden wall, path, or patio gives you practice with tools, bedding materials, and leveling.
  • Learn basic job site safetyKnowing how to lift safely, use tools carefully, and follow safety rules makes you a better hire.

In college

  • Take math and physical science coursesMath and basic physics help with measurements, slopes, drainage, and material calculations.
  • Get a part-time job with a landscaping, hardscaping, or construction companyWork experience on a paving or masonry crew builds the 1-2 years of related experience employers usually look for.
  • Join a trades or construction club, if your school has oneClubs connect you with people in the trades and can help you find job leads.
  • Volunteer on a community building or beautification projectHelping build walkways, gardens, or community spaces shows practical skills and teamwork.
  • Look into OSHA safety training coursesA basic safety certification such as OSHA 10 is a useful credential to list on a job application and shows you take job site safety seriously.

Tips for getting started

  • Ask a local landscaping, hardscaping, or masonry company whether they hire helpers or laborers. Getting on a crew is the most direct way to learn the trade.
  • Learn to read simple plans and measure accurately. Practice with a tape measure and level on home projects, like a backyard path or patio.
  • Be reliable and ready to work outdoors in all kinds of weather. Employers notice people who show up on time and keep learning.

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.

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