Stonemasons
Build stone structures, such as piers, walls, and abutments. Lay walks, curbstones, or special types of masonry for vats, tanks, and floors.
Also called: Artificial Stone Applicator, Banker Mason, Composition Stone Applicator, Construction Monument Setter, Curbstone Setter, Flagstone Layer
Median pay
$57,390
per year, U.S.
Pay range (10th–90th)
$39,300 – $86,180
People employed
7,820
Holland code
RCA
Realistic · Conventional · Artistic
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 being on your feet and moving most of the day?
- 2.Are you OK with hours that change?
- 3.Do you want to stay at 40 hours a week or less?
- 4.Do you want to lead or coordinate other people’s work?
- 5.Are you OK working outdoors in all kinds of weather?
- 6.Are you OK with physical risk, such as hazardous equipment or conditions, with proper training?
- 7.Do you enjoy serving customers or the public?
The hard parts
- Work outdoors in all weather
- Long hours on your feet
- Mistakes can have serious consequences
Stonemasons pay by state
Highest-paying states
Annual median pay by state (31 states with published data). Source: BLS OEWS May 2025.
What stonemasons do
- 01Set vertical and horizontal alignment of structures, using plumb bob, gauge line, and level.
- 02Lay out wall patterns or foundations, using straight edge, rule, or staked lines.
- 03Set stone or marble in place, according to layout or pattern.
- 04Remove wedges, fill joints between stones, finish joints between stones, using a trowel, and smooth the mortar to an attractive finish, using a tuck pointer.
- 05Clean excess mortar or grout from surface of marble, stone, or monument, using sponge, brush, water, or acid.
- 06Shape, trim, face and cut marble or stone preparatory to setting, using power saws, cutting equipment, and hand tools.
Skills that matter most
- Critical Thinking
- Mathematics
- Monitoring
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Listening
- Speaking
Knowledge
- Building and Construction
- Design
- Mathematics
- Mechanical
- Customer and Personal Service
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 4 years, up to and including 6 years.
- On-the-job training: over 1 year, up to and including 2 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 stonemasons
- Helpers--Brickmasons, Blockmasons, Stonemasons, and Tile and Marble Setters84% · −17%
- Stone Cutters and Carvers, Manufacturing81% · group pay
- Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining76% · 0%
- Layout Workers, Metal and Plastic75% · +11%
- Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters75% · −11%
Change into stonemasons
Jobs whose skills carry over best (skill match, their median pay).
- Stone Cutters and Carvers, Manufacturing87% · $46,170
- Helpers--Brickmasons, Blockmasons, Stonemasons, and Tile and Marble Setters83% · $47,550
- Furniture Finishers79% · $44,540
- Upholsterers79% · $46,340
- Fence Erectors78% · $47,980
Majors that lead here
- Mason/Masonry
From the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk.