Brickmasons and Blockmasons
SOC code 47-2021 · O*NET-SOC 47-2021.00 · Little to some preparation needed · Skilled trades
Brickmasons and Blockmasons pay
U.S. national figures, May 2025 BLS survey · How we got this number
Median pay
$62,120
a year
Hourly
$29.87
per hour
The solid band is the middle 50% of workers; the bar spans the 10th to 90th percentile.
Average pay
$68,280
$32.83 per hour
Middle 50%
$51,110 – $79,350
25th to 75th percentile
Full spread
$44,820 – $100,010
10th to 90th percentile
People employed
52,550
nationwide
National U.S. figure, May 2025. Local pay can be higher or lower.
- 10th percentile
- $44,820
- $21.55/hr
- 25th percentile
- $51,110
- $24.57/hr
- Median percentile
- $62,120
- $29.87/hr
- 75th percentile
- $79,350
- $38.15/hr
- 90th percentile
- $100,010
- $48.08/hr
What do brickmasons and 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.
The tasks that matter most day to day
- 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.
How to qualify for this work
Most people in this role hold high school diploma or the equivalent (such as a ged) — 70% of workers surveyed reported it as their level of education.
Preparation level: zone 2 — Little to some preparation needed
- Education
- Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
- Experience
- Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
- Training
- Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training.
Education reported by people doing this job
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)70%
- Less than a High School Diploma13%
- Some College Courses13%
- Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree3%
Common questions
How much does a brickmasons and blockmasons earn?
The national median is $62,120 a year. The full range runs from $44,820 at the 10th percentile to $100,010 at the 90th — entry pay sits closer to the lower figure, and experience, licensing and specialisation move you up the range.
Can you become a brickmasons and blockmasons without a degree?
Yes — this occupation sits in preparation zone 2, meaning the typical entry route is usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not. A four-year degree is not the standard requirement, though licensing or certification may still apply.
Skills and knowledge you need
Core skills
- Critical Thinking3.1/5
- Active Listening3.0/5
- Speaking3.0/5
- Monitoring3.0/5
- Mathematics2.9/5
- Active Learning2.9/5
Knowledge areas
- Building and Construction4.8/5
- Mathematics3.5/5
- English Language3.3/5
- Public Safety and Security3.1/5
- Production and Processing3.1/5
- Design3.1/5
- Administration and Management3.0/5
- Mechanical3.0/5
Transferable strengths: Coordination, Operations Monitoring, Quality Control Analysis, Time Management.