Brickmasons & Blockmasons

Also Called: Block Layer, Brick and Block Mason, Bricklayer, Mason

What Brickmasons & Blockmasons 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.

  • 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.
Industry Areas:

Construction

Training Program Areas:

Bricklaying • Cement Masonry • OCT-Only Construction • Plastering • Tile Setting

Expand For Additional Details

Work Context

  • Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets
  • Outdoors, Exposed to Weather
  • Spend Time Standing
  • Exposed to Hazardous Equipment
  • Sounds, Noise Levels Are Distracting or Uncomfortable

Tools

  • Trowels
  • Hammers
  • Cold chisels
  • Manlift or personnel lift
  • Levels

Technology

Spreadsheet software
Microsoft Excel
Project management software
Daystar iStructural.com
Estimating software
Accounting software
Intuit QuickBooks

The Education & Training You Need

Skills

  • Coordination
  • Critical Thinking
  • Active Listening
  • Monitoring
  • Operation Monitoring

Knowledge

Engineering and Technology
building and construction
design
Math and Science
arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics
Arts and Humanities
English language
Safety and Government
public safety and security

Education

  • 70% High school diploma or equivalent
  • 13% Less than high school diploma
  • 13% Some college, no degree

Experience

Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is usually needed. For example, a teller would benefit from experience working directly with the public.

What are your training options on the pathway to this occupation?

Are You a Good Fit?

Occupation Traits

  • Conventional (Organizer)
  • Investigative (Thinker)
  • Realistic (Doer)

Work Styles

  • Attention to Detail
  • Dependability
  • Integrity
  • Cooperation
  • Independence
  • Achievement/Effort

Values

  • Support
  • Working Conditions
  • Independence

Abilities

  • Hand and Finger Use
  • Physical Strength
  • Endurance

This is what Brickmasons & Blockmasons across the country typically make.

$18.44 / hour
$38,360 /year

Entry Level

$28.67 / hour
$59,640 /year

Median Level

$45.30 / hour
$94,220 /year

Experienced Level

Income information reflects a regional average.
Income information reflects a national average.

This career’s National Job Outlook is

Below Average

Please be sure to verify the outlook of this occupation with your instructor.

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