Brickmasons and Blockmasons

Salary Overview

Job Outlook (2024–2034)

Key Skills

Knowledge Areas

What They Do

• Measure distance from reference points and mark guidelines to lay out work, using plumb bobs and levels.
• Construct corners by fastening in plumb position a corner pole or building a corner pyramid of bricks, and filling in between the corners using a line from corner to corner to guide each course, or layer, of brick.
• Apply and smooth mortar or other mixture over work surface.
• 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.
• Remove excess mortar with trowels and hand tools, and finish mortar joints with jointing tools, for a sealed, uniform appearance.
• Clean working surface to remove scale, dust, soot, or chips of brick and mortar, using broom, wire brush, or scraper.
• Mix specified amounts of sand, clay, dirt, or mortar powder with water to form refractory mixtures.

Tools & Technology

★ = Hot Technology (in-demand)

Education Requirements

Typical entry-level education: High School Diploma

Related Careers

Careers with the highest skill compatibility from Brickmasons and Blockmasons.

A Day in the Life

A brickmason's day typically starts early at the construction site with a review of blueprints and layout plans to determine the day's work scope and material requirements. The first task is often establishing guide lines, reference points, and corner leads that ensure walls rise plumb, level, and square as courses of brick or block are laid. Masons mix or receive pre-mixed mortar, selecting the appropriate blend for the specific application whether it be standard portland cement mortar, thin-set adhesive, or specialty pointing compound. The core activity involves spreading mortar on surfaces and individual units, setting bricks or blocks in precise alignment, and using levels, plumb bobs, and laser instruments to maintain accuracy throughout the day. Cutting and shaping masonry units with hammers, chisels, and masonry saws to fit around windows, doors, pipes, and corners requires both skill and spatial reasoning. Scaffolding must be erected and adjusted as walls rise in height, and masons are responsible for ensuring their elevated work platforms are properly constructed and secured. At the end of each day, masons clean their tools, protect fresh mortar joints from weather, and estimate material quantities needed for the following day's work.

Work Environment

Brickmasons work predominantly outdoors on active construction sites, exposed to the full range of weather conditions from scorching summer heat to cold winter temperatures. The work is physically demanding, requiring constant bending, kneeling, reaching, and lifting of masonry units that typically weigh eight to forty pounds each, accumulating tons of lifted material over a workday. Height is a regular factor, as masons frequently work from scaffolding, lifts, and ladders at elevations that require fall protection equipment and height comfort. Construction sites are inherently dynamic environments with multiple trades working simultaneously, requiring awareness of overhead cranes, moving vehicles, and adjacent work activities. Work schedules typically follow construction industry patterns with early morning starts, weather-dependent scheduling, and seasonal slowdowns in regions with harsh winters. The culture among masonry crews tends to be close-knit and team-oriented, with experienced masons taking pride in mentoring apprentices and maintaining the craft traditions of the trade. Noise from cutting saws, dust from mixing mortar and cutting block, and physical strain are constant occupational considerations that require appropriate protective measures.

Career Path & Advancement

Most brickmasons enter the trade through a three- to four-year registered apprenticeship sponsored by union locals of the International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers or through joint apprenticeship training programs. Apprentices combine paid on-the-job training with classroom instruction covering blueprint reading, mathematics, building code requirements, and mortar chemistry. Some masons begin as laborers or mason tenders on construction sites, learning fundamental skills before formally entering apprenticeship programs. After completing apprenticeship and demonstrating competency through practical examinations, masons earn journeyman status and the ability to work independently on any masonry project. Experienced journeymen advance to foreman roles managing work crews and coordinating daily production on large construction projects. Further advancement leads to superintendent positions overseeing multiple crews and projects, estimator roles calculating material and labor costs for competitive bids, or business ownership by obtaining masonry contractor licenses.

Specializations

The masonry trade encompasses several specialization areas that allow craftspeople to develop particular expertise. Commercial brickmasons focus on structural and veneer brick installation for office buildings, schools, hospitals, and retail developments, working to tight tolerances and aggressive construction schedules. Residential masons specialize in home construction including foundation walls, fireplaces and chimneys, decorative facades, and outdoor living features like patios and retaining walls. Restoration masons develop expertise in historical building preservation, matching original mortar compositions, replicating period brick patterns, and performing tuckpointing repairs on aging structures. Refractory masons install heat-resistant brick linings in industrial furnaces, kilns, incinerators, and smokestacks that endure extreme temperatures. Stone masons work with natural materials like granite, limestone, marble, and fieldstone, creating both structural and decorative installations. Some masons specialize in decorative and artistic masonry, creating elaborate patterns, archways, columns, and sculptural elements that showcase the aesthetic potential of brick and stone.

Pros & Cons

Industry Insight

The masonry industry is experiencing strong demand driven by growing appreciation for the durability, fire resistance, energy efficiency, and aesthetic appeal of brick and stone construction. Residential construction trends increasingly incorporate masonry elements such as feature walls, outdoor living spaces, and accent facades that drive demand for skilled craftspeople. The historic preservation and renovation sector continues to expand as aging commercial buildings, cathedrals, and public structures require expert restoration masonry to maintain structural integrity and architectural heritage. Labor shortages are a dominant industry concern, with apprenticeship enrollment declining as fewer young workers enter the construction trades, creating elevated demand and wage growth for qualified masons. Technological innovation is introducing aided layout tools including laser levels, robotic total stations, and GPS positioning that improve accuracy and efficiency on large commercial projects. Prefabricated masonry panel systems and thin-brick veneer technologies are changing some aspects of installation methodology, though traditional full-bed masonry skills remain essential and in highest demand.