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.
Also called: Adobe Layer, Block Layer, Block Mason, Block Paver, Blockmason, Bottom Liner
Median pay
$62,120
per year, U.S.
Pay range (10th–90th)
$44,820 – $100,010
People employed
52,550
Holland code
RCI
Realistic · Conventional · Investigative
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
Is this career right for you?
These are the things that stand out in this job compared with other U.S. jobs (O*NET 31.0 work context). Answer honestly.
- 1.Are you OK with hours that change?
- 2.Are you OK working outdoors in all kinds of weather?
- 3.Are you OK with physical risk, such as hazardous equipment or conditions, with proper training?
- 4.Are you OK being on your feet and moving most of the day?
- 5.Do you want variety, with new tasks often?
- 6.Are you happy working mostly on your own, with little contact with others?
- 7.Do you want to stay at 40 hours a week or less?
- 8.Would you rather not deal with customers or the public?
The hard parts
- Work outdoors in all weather
- Long hours on your feet
- Tight deadlines are common
Brickmasons and Blockmasons pay by state
Highest-paying states
Annual median pay by state (49 states and DC with published data). Source: BLS OEWS May 2025.
What brickmasons and blockmasons do
- 01Measure distance from reference points and mark guidelines to lay out work, using plumb bobs and levels.
- 02Construct 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.
- 03Apply and smooth mortar or other mixture over work surface.
- 04Calculate angles and courses and determine vertical and horizontal alignment of courses.
- 05Break or cut bricks, tiles, or blocks to size, using trowel edge, hammer, or power saw.
- 06Interpret blueprints and drawings to determine specifications and to calculate the materials required.
Skills that matter most
- Critical Thinking
- Monitoring
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Mathematics
- Active Learning
Knowledge
- Building and Construction
- Mathematics
- English Language
- Public Safety and Security
- Production and Processing
Work styles that stand out
- Dependability
- Attention to Detail
Education and first steps
Share of workers by required education, as reported to O*NET.
How people get started
- Usually needs a high school diploma (O*NET Job Zone 2).
- Related work experience: over 2 years, up to and including 4 years.
- On-the-job training: over 2 years, up to and including 4 years.
Most common answers from O*NET 31.0 Education, Training and Experience.
Interest fit (Holland code)
O*NET occupational interest scores, scale 1–7. Take the Free Career Test to compare with your own.
Career changes
Change from brickmasons and blockmasons
- Refractory Materials Repairers, Except Brickmasons84% · −1%
- Helpers--Brickmasons, Blockmasons, Stonemasons, and Tile and Marble Setters83% · −23%
- Layout Workers, Metal and Plastic80% · +3%
- Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining78% · −8%
- Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters77% · −17%
Change into brickmasons and blockmasons
Jobs whose skills carry over best (skill match, their median pay).
- Helpers--Brickmasons, Blockmasons, Stonemasons, and Tile and Marble Setters91% · $47,550
- Refractory Materials Repairers, Except Brickmasons84% · $61,290
- Stone Cutters and Carvers, Manufacturing81% · $46,170
- Helpers--Painters, Paperhangers, Plasterers, and Stucco Masons80% · $40,470
- Layout Workers, Metal and Plastic80% · $63,870
Majors that lead here
- Mason/Masonry
From the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk.