Brickmasons and Blockmasons
Also called Block Layer, Brick and Block Mason, Bricklayer, or Mason
Updated · Source: O*NET 31.0
What Brickmasons and Blockmasons do
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.
Who tends to enjoy it
Hands-on
People who like building, fixing, working with tools, machines, plants, or animals.
Organizing
People who like keeping things accurate, orderly, and running on schedule.
Curious
People who like figuring things out, research, science, and solving problems.
What you'd actually 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.
- Interpret blueprints and drawings to determine specifications and to calculate the materials required.
- Remove excess mortar with trowels and hand tools, and finish mortar joints with jointing tools, for a sealed, uniform appearance.
- Fasten or fuse brick or other building material to structure with wire clamps, anchor holes, torch, or cement.
A typical day involves
Skills that matter most
- Critical Thinking
- Coordination
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Monitoring
- Operations Monitoring
What you'll need to know
- Building and Construction
- Mathematics
- English Language
- Public Safety and Security
- Production and Processing
How much Brickmasons and Blockmasons make
The median pay for Brickmasons and Blockmasons in the U.S. is $62,120 a year ($29.87 an hour). Most earn between $44,820 and $100,010. (Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2025)
Pay depends a lot on where you live: the median is highest in Minnesota ($95,220) and lowest in Maine ($42,710).
Pay by state and territory
| State | Median pay | Jobs |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $49,710 | 370 |
| Arizona | $59,260 | 1,190 |
| Arkansas | $55,100 | 450 |
| California | $69,050 | 3,820 |
| Colorado | $65,260 | 870 |
| Connecticut | $67,960 | 480 |
| Delaware | $66,550 | 200 |
| District of Columbia | $64,450 | 200 |
| Florida | $52,760 | 2,610 |
| Georgia | $50,650 | — |
| Hawaii | $79,250 | 120 |
| Idaho | $62,510 | 320 |
| Illinois | $89,980 | 2,490 |
| Indiana | $73,110 | 1,770 |
| Iowa | $69,440 | 290 |
| Kansas | $59,220 | 330 |
| Kentucky | $59,820 | 780 |
| Louisiana | $57,440 | 240 |
| Maine | $42,710 | 90 |
| Maryland | $59,030 | 1,650 |
| Massachusetts | $94,950 | 1,570 |
| Michigan | $63,500 | 2,240 |
| Minnesota | $95,220 | 1,040 |
| Mississippi | $48,820 | 160 |
| Missouri | $72,370 | 1,940 |
| Montana | $56,030 | 140 |
| Nebraska | $61,200 | 350 |
| Nevada | $60,670 | 810 |
| New Hampshire | $66,890 | 140 |
| New Jersey | $77,010 | 520 |
| New Mexico | $44,980 | 270 |
| New York | $84,410 | 3,790 |
| North Carolina | $49,940 | 1,760 |
| North Dakota | $79,940 | 150 |
| Ohio | $70,950 | 2,770 |
| Oklahoma | $50,620 | 580 |
| Oregon | $79,450 | 650 |
| Pennsylvania | $69,560 | 2,910 |
| Puerto Rico | $51,420 | 50 |
| Rhode Island | $79,280 | 220 |
| South Carolina | $49,010 | 410 |
| South Dakota | $60,380 | 320 |
| Tennessee | $63,850 | 1,050 |
| Texas | $56,410 | 4,300 |
| U.S. Virgin Islands | $51,390 | 90 |
| Utah | $60,450 | 1,590 |
| Vermont | $59,590 | 100 |
| Virginia | $54,680 | 2,350 |
| Washington | $83,190 | 600 |
| West Virginia | $46,600 | 210 |
| Wisconsin | $80,120 | 1,050 |
| Wyoming | $60,040 | 230 |
Where to study for this
College programs that commonly lead to this career, and how many US colleges offer each.
- Mason 56 colleges
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Source: O*NET 31.0 Database (USDOL/ETA), occupation 47-2021.00, used under CC BY 4.0 and modified by Whittle. Pay: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), SOC 47-2021. Outlook and entry education: BLS Employment Projections 2025–35. Program links: NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk. How we build these pages.