SOC 47-2021.00

    Brickmasons and Blockmasons

    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.

    Median pay
    $62,120
    Growth
    +1.1%
    Slower than average
    Openings a year
    4,100
    Typical education
    High school diploma

    Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition

    Source: BLS 2025 wages · 2025–35 projections

    See the pathway

    Annual pay range

    Lowest 10% earn less than
    $44,820
    Median
    $62,120
    Highest 10% earn more than
    $100,010
    National wages for all workers in this occupation. BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.

    52,550 people work in this occupation.

    In short

    Brickmasons and blockmasons build and repair walls, partitions, and other structures using materials like brick, concrete block, and mortar. The career offers a median annual pay of $62,120.

    Written with AI from the BLS, O*NET and CareerOneStop data on this page. Every figure is checked against that data before it is published.

    What brickmasons and blockmasons do

    Job Zone 2: Some preparation

    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.

    Usually a high school diploma; some on-the-job training or experience.

    What the work is like

    People in this career construct and mend structures by laying and binding materials such as brick, concrete block, glass block, and structural tile. Daily activities center around handling and moving objects, performing general physical activities, and inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to ensure quality. Masons must monitor processes and surroundings, gather information, and coordinate their activities with supervisors and peers.

    Success in this field requires strong coordination, critical thinking, active listening, and time management skills. Workers rely on knowledge of building and construction, mathematics, public safety, and design. Because this is a highly realistic interest area, the work is hands-on and physical. Important work styles include dependability, attention to detail, cautiousness, and perseverance to complete demanding physical tasks safely and accurately.

    How to get there

    Entering this field typically requires a high school diploma, placing it in a category that requires some basic preparation. Many workers gain their skills through on-the-job training or prior experience. Students interested in this career often major in masonry in college or vocational programs.

    Depending on the employer and location, workers can pursue professional credentials. Available certifications include the Masonry certification from the National Center for Construction Education and Research, the Masonry Field Testing Technician credential from the American Concrete Institute International, and the Supervisor Certification from the International Masonry Institute. Additionally, some states list a license for this type of construction work.

    Pay and outlook explained

    In 2025, the median annual pay for brickmasons and blockmasons was $62,120. Earnings vary based on experience and location, with the lowest 10% earning less than $44,820 and the highest 10% earning more than $100,010. There were 52,550 people employed in this occupation. Between 2025 and 2035, employment is projected to grow by 1.1%, which is slower than the average for all occupations. Despite this slow growth rate, about 4,100 job openings are projected to become available each year.

    Interest profile

    Realistic (R) · strongest
    99 / 100
    Investigative (I)
    17 / 100
    Artistic (A)
    11 / 100
    Social (S)
    2 / 100
    Enterprising (E)
    3 / 100
    Conventional (C)
    47 / 100
    How strongly each interest area describes the work, from O*NET (scores rescaled to 0–100). The interest code lists the strongest areas in order.

    Interest code RCI. Compare it with yours

    What you'd do

    Handling and Moving Objects
    79
    Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials
    78
    Getting Information
    77
    Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
    76
    Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
    73
    Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
    73
    Scheduling Work and Activities
    72
    Performing General Physical Activities
    72
    Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others
    72
    Making Decisions and Solving Problems
    71
    Work activities rated by importance for this occupation, O*NET (0–100).

    Skills and strengths

    Skills

    • Coordination
    • Critical Thinking
    • Active Listening
    • Monitoring
    • Operations Monitoring
    • Quality Control Analysis
    • Speaking
    • Time Management
    • Active Learning
    • Complex Problem Solving

    Knowledge

    • Building and Construction
    • Mathematics
    • English Language
    • Public Safety and Security
    • Production and Processing
    • Design
    • Administration and Management
    • Mechanical
    • Customer and Personal Service
    • Engineering and Technology

    Abilities

    • Trunk Strength
    • Extent Flexibility
    • Arm-Hand Steadiness
    • Manual Dexterity
    • Near Vision
    • Static Strength
    • Dynamic Strength
    • Multilimb Coordination
    • Visualization
    • Finger Dexterity

    Work styles

    • Dependability
    • Attention to Detail
    • Cautiousness
    • Perseverance
    • Integrity
    • Achievement Orientation
    • Stress Tolerance
    • Self-Control
    • Self-Confidence
    • Cooperation

    Also called

    Adobe Layer · Block Layer · Block Mason · Block Paver · Blockmason · Bottom Liner · Brick and Block Mason · Brick and Tile Bricklayer · Brick Chimney Builder · Brick Dropper

    Career pathway

    From your interests to brickmasons and blockmasons

    Interests that fit the work, the career, majors that lead there and colleges whose graduates in those majors earn the most. Hover or focus a step to follow one path.

    1. Interests

    2. This career

      • Brickmasons and Blockmasons$62,120 median pay

    3. Majors

    4. Colleges

    College Scorecard program outcomes

    Colleges with strong outcomes

    Programs that lead to this career, ranked by what their graduates earn four years after finishing. Earnings are for graduates who received federal aid.

    1. 1Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology logo
      Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology

      Lancaster, PA · Mason/Masonry · Associate

      1 yr after
      Not reported
      4 yrs after
      $42,956
      Median debt
      Not reported

    Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard field-of-study data, 2025. Programs with few graduates are not listed.

    NCES CIP–SOC crosswalk

    Majors that lead here

    Related programs by four-digit CIP code. They are common routes in, not the only ones.

    CareerOneStop

    Certifications, licenses and pay by state

    What brickmasons and blockmasons may need beyond a degree, where a license is required, and what the work pays in each state.

    Certifications

    Core certifications employers recognise for this work.

    Search all certifications on CareerOneStop

    Training

    Programs of study that prepare people for this work.

    • Mason/Masonry

    Find training near you on CareerOneStop

    Licenses by state

    4 states list a license for this work. Open your state for the license and the agency that issues it.

    Check license requirements on CareerOneStop

    Data from CareerOneStop, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor (Employment and Training Administration, with the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development). Retrieved November 9, 2026.

    Your plan

    Build my pathway plan

    Courses, majors, colleges, scholarships and a timeline for this career, built from your profile.

    Related careers

    Careers with similar work, interests or skills.

    All careers

    Questions about brickmasons and blockmasons

    Written with AI from the BLS, O*NET and CareerOneStop data on this page. Every figure is checked against that data before it is published.

    What college majors are related to this career?

    Students preparing for this career typically enroll in a Mason/Masonry program. These programs teach the hands-on techniques and safety protocols needed for the trade.

    Are there professional certifications available for masons?

    Yes, workers can earn credentials such as the Masonry certification from the National Center for Construction Education and Research. Other options include the Masonry Field Testing Technician certification and the Supervisor Certification.

    What are some alternative job titles for this occupation?

    People in this line of work are also known as block layers, block masons, brick droppers, and brick and tile bricklayers. They may also be called adobe layers or block pavers.

    Sources and attribution

    Every figure on this page comes from these public datasets. Missing values are shown as not reported, never estimated.

    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. CollegesRef has modified all or some of this information.

    Data from CareerOneStop, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor (Employment and Training Administration, with the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development). Retrieved November 9, 2026.

    Page data updated November 5, 2026.