The median pay for Brickmasons and Blockmasons is $62,120 a year ($29.87/hr), according to BLS OEWS, May 2025. Employment is projected to grow 1.1% through 2035, with about 4,100 openings a year (BLS EP, 2025–2035). Typical entry-level education: High school diploma or equivalent.
- SOC 47-2021
- Construction and Extraction
- Last updated October 9, 2026
At a glance
Brickmason and Blockmason in four numbers
- Median pay
- $62,120a year, or $29.87/hrBLS OEWS, May 2025Lowest 10% $45KTop 10% $100K
US median, all jobs: $50,980
- Projected growth
- +1.1%Slower than averageBLS EP, 2025–2035This career+1.1%All jobs+3.5%
Projected employment change, 2025–2035 Item Value This career +1.1% All jobs +3.5% - Openings a year
- 4,10062,400 jobs todayBLS EP, 2025–2035
- Jobs in 202562.4K
- Projected 203563.1K
Employment, 2025–2035 Item Value Jobs in 2025 62.4K Projected 2035 63.1K - Typical education
- High schoolneeded to enterBLS EP, 2025–2035; mix: O*NET
- Less than high school13.5%
- High school70.4%
- Some college13.4%
- Associate's2.7%
Highest education held by brickmasons and blockmasons Segment Value Less than high school 13.5% High school 70.4% Some college 13.4% Associate's 2.7%
Also advertised as: Block Layer, Block Mason, Blockmason, Brick and Block Mason, Brick Mason, Bricklayer.
Pay
How much do Brickmasons and Blockmasons make?
Every brickmason and blockmason in the US, by percentile of annual wage
Median
$62,120
Middle half earn $51,110 to $79,350
- 10th
- $44,820
- 25th
- $51,110
- 75th
- $79,350
- 90th
- $100,010
All US occupations: $50,980
| Percentile | Value |
|---|---|
| 10th | $44,820 |
| 25th | $51,110 |
| Median | $62,120 |
| 75th | $79,350 |
| 90th | $100,010 |
| All US occupations | $50,980 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Median annual wage
- $62,120
- Median hourly wage
- $29.87/hr
- Mean annual wage
- $68,280
- People employed
- 52,550
Versus all US occupations
At $62,120, Brickmasons and Blockmasons earn 22% above the $50,980 median across all US occupations, a difference of $11,140 a year.
Versus construction and extraction occupations
Inside the Construction and Extraction group, where the middle occupation pays $60,020, this is 3% above the group median.
Pay range
The top 10% earn $100,010 or more while the bottom 10% earn $44,820, a gap of 2.2×. That is a typical spread for a US occupation.
Rank in the bank
This median pays more than 35% of the 1,741 occupations in the NueCareer career bank.
Highest-paying state
Minnesota pays the most at $95,220, and still leads at $96,551 once local prices are taken into account.
Pay by state
Which states pay Brickmasons and Blockmasons the most?
State medians come from the same OEWS release as the national figures. The cost-of-living column divides each state median by that state's BEA Regional Price Parity, restating pay in national-average dollars so a high-cost state and a low-cost one can be compared directly.
| State | Median | COL-adjusted | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1Minnesota | $95,220 | $96,551 | 1,040 |
| 2Massachusetts | $94,950 | $89,781 | 1,570 |
| 3Illinois | $89,980 | $90,018 | 2,490 |
| 4New York | $84,410 | $78,215 | 3,790 |
| 5Washington | $83,190 | $77,738 | 600 |
| 6Wisconsin | $80,120 | $85,148 | 1,050 |
| 7North Dakota | $79,940 | $89,862 | 150 |
| 8Oregon | $79,450 | $76,867 | 650 |
| 9Rhode Island | $79,280 | $77,513 | 220 |
| 10Hawaii | $79,250 | $72,078 | 120 |
Job outlook
Is Brickmason and Blockmason a growing career?
Employment change over 2025–2035, against every US occupation
Slower than average. +1.1% projected growth vs 3.5% for all occupations.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Brickmasons and Blockmasons | +1.1% |
| All US occupations | +3.5% |
Source: BLS EP, 2025–2035
Slower than average
BLS projects employment of Brickmasons and Blockmasons to change 1.1% over 2025–2035, against 3.5% projected for all occupations. That is 700 more jobs.
Annual openings
About 4,100 openings are projected each year, 6.6% of the 62,400 jobs that existed in 2025. Most come from workers leaving the occupation, not from growth alone.
Overall employment of masonry workers is projected to show little or no change from 2025 to 2035.
Despite limited employment growth, about 18,400 openings for masonry workers are projected each year, on average, over the decade.
Most of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
Projected employment of masonry workers varies by occupation (see table).
Getting in
How to become a Brickmason and Blockmason
Masons typically need a high school diploma or equivalent and learn the trade either through an apprenticeship or on the job.
- 1
Typical entry-level education
High school diploma or equivalent
- 2
Work experience in a related occupation
None
- 3
Typical on-the-job training
Apprenticeship
- 4
Preparation needed (O*NET job zone)
Little or no preparation
BLS Employment Projections, 2025–2035; job zone from O*NET 31.0 Database.
What education people in the job have
O*NET incumbent survey: the highest level of education reported by people already working as brickmasons and blockmasons.
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)70.4%
- Less than a High School Diploma13.5%
- Some College Courses13.4%
- Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree2.7%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) | 70.4% |
| Less than a High School Diploma | 13.5% |
| Some College Courses | 13.4% |
| Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree | 2.7% |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
The work
What does a Brickmason and Blockmason 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.
Masonry workers, also known as masons, use bricks, concrete and concrete blocks, and natural and manmade stones to build walkways, walls, and other structures.
Day-to-day tasks
- Measure distance from reference points and mark guidelines to lay out work, using plumb bobs and levels.
- Calculate angles and courses and determine vertical and horizontal alignment of courses.
- 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.
- Examine brickwork or structure to determine need for repair.
- Break or cut bricks, tiles, or blocks to size, using trowel edge, hammer, or power saw.
- Remove excess mortar with trowels and hand tools, and finish mortar joints with jointing tools, for a sealed, uniform appearance.
- Interpret blueprints and drawings to determine specifications and to calculate the materials required.
- Clean working surface to remove scale, dust, soot, or chips of brick and mortar, using broom, wire brush, or scraper.
O*NET core tasks, ordered by reported importance.
Working conditions and hours
Most masons work full time, and some work overtime to meet construction deadlines. Masons work mostly outdoors, so inclement weather may affect their schedules. Terrazzo masons may need to work hours that differ from a regular business schedule, to avoid disrupting normal operations.
Where the work happens
Indoors, climate-controlled
NeverEvery dayRarely works in a climate-controlled indoor space.
Outdoors in all weather
NeverEvery dayOutdoors in all weather at least weekly.
Physical demands
Sitting
NeverAlmost all the timeStanding
NeverAlmost all the timeOn their feet more than half the working day.
Bending or twisting
NeverAlmost all the timeRegular bending or twisting.
Working with people
Contact with other people
NoneConstantFace-to-face discussions
NeverEvery dayDealing with the public
Not importantExtremely important
Pressure and stakes
Strict deadlines
NeverEvery dayMeeting strict deadlines at least weekly.
Conflict situations
NeverEvery dayCost of a mistake
Not seriousExtremely serious
Autonomy
Freedom to decide
NoneA lot
Schedules: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2025–2035 edition. Conditions: O*NET Work Context survey. Each item has its own scale, so each dot is read against the two answers that end its own line.
Core skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Critical Thinking3.1
- Active Listening3.0
- Speaking3.0
- Monitoring3.0
- Mathematics2.9
- Active Learning2.9
- Reading Comprehension2.8
- Writing2.3
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Critical Thinking | 3.1 |
| Active Listening | 3.0 |
| Speaking | 3.0 |
| Monitoring | 3.0 |
| Mathematics | 2.9 |
| Active Learning | 2.9 |
| Reading Comprehension | 2.8 |
| Writing | 2.3 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Transferable skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Coordination3.1
- Operations Monitoring3.0
- Quality Control Analysis3.0
- Time Management3.0
- Complex Problem Solving2.9
- Judgment and Decision Making2.9
- Social Perceptiveness2.8
- Equipment Selection2.6
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Coordination | 3.1 |
| Operations Monitoring | 3.0 |
| Quality Control Analysis | 3.0 |
| Time Management | 3.0 |
| Complex Problem Solving | 2.9 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 2.9 |
| Social Perceptiveness | 2.8 |
| Equipment Selection | 2.6 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Tools and software
- Accounting software · in demand
- Office suite software · in demand
- Operating system software · in demand
- Spreadsheet software · in demand
- Analytical or scientific software
- Computer aided design CAD software
- Project management software
“In demand” marks an O*NET Employer-Based Hot Technology, software named in real job postings for this occupation.
Personality fit
What personality type suits a Brickmason and Blockmason?
O*NET Occupational Interests (RIASEC), scored 1 to 7
| Axis | Brickmason and Blockmason |
|---|---|
| Realistic | 7 |
| Investigative | 2 |
| Artistic | 2 |
| Social | 1 |
| Enterprising | 1 |
| Conventional | 4 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
What the work is built around
Day to day this is work built around hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors, combined with organising, following procedures and working precisely with data.
- Realistic7.0
- Conventional3.8
- Investigative2.0
- Artistic1.7
- Enterprising1.2
- Social1.1
Closest MBTI types
NueCareer fit scores: cosine similarity between each MBTI type's interest vector and this occupation's O*NET interest profile. Not a BLS or O*NET figure; the method is documented on our methodology page.
Explore further
Careers related to Brickmason and Blockmason
O*NET related occupations
- Construction and Extraction
Helpers--Brickmason, Blockmason, Stonemason, and Tile and Marble Setter
$47,550median a year
Most earn $36K to $70K
−11.7%No formal credential - Installation, Maintenance, and Repair
Refractory Materials Repairer, Except Brickmasons
$61,290median a year
Most earn $41K to $87K
−13.7%High school - Construction and Extraction
- Construction and Extraction
- Construction and Extraction
Cement Mason and Concrete Finisher
$57,020median a year
Most earn $39K to $85K
+1.6%No formal credential - Construction and Extraction
More construction and extraction careers
Median annual pay, with brickmasons and blockmasons highlighted
- Plumber$63,800
- Electrician$63,190
- Structural Iron and Steel Worker$62,780
- Brickmason and Blockmason$62,120
- Sheet Metal Worker$61,800
- Carpenter$60,580
- Operating Engineer and Other Construction Equipment Operator$59,850
- Roofer$55,440
- Oil and Gas Roustabout$46,960
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Plumber | $63,800 |
| Electrician | $63,190 |
| Structural Iron and Steel Worker | $62,780 |
| Brickmason and Blockmason | $62,120 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $61,800 |
| Carpenter | $60,580 |
| Operating Engineer and Other Construction Equipment Operator | $59,850 |
| Roofer | $55,440 |
| Oil and Gas Roustabout | $46,960 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
Lists Brickmason and Blockmason appears on
Questions
Brickmason and Blockmason: frequently asked questions
How much do Brickmasons and Blockmasons make?
Brickmasons and Blockmasons earn a median of $62,120 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025), 22% above the $50,980 US median across all occupations. That works out at $29.87/hr. The middle half earn between $51,110 and $79,350. The top 10% earn $100,010 or more.
Do you need a degree to become a Brickmason and Blockmason?
No. A bachelor's degree is not the norm: BLS reports a high school diploma or equivalent as the typical entry-level education for Brickmasons and Blockmasons. BLS also lists apprenticeship as typical on-the-job training. In O*NET's survey of people already doing the job, 70.4% hold high school diploma or the equivalent (such as a ged).
Is Brickmason and Blockmason a growing career?
It is growing, but slowly: 1.1% over 2025–2035 against 3.5% for all occupations (BLS EP, 2025–2035). BLS still projects about 4,100 openings a year, mostly from workers retiring or moving to other work.
What does a Brickmason and Blockmason do?
Masonry workers, also known as masons, use bricks, concrete and concrete blocks, and natural and manmade stones to build walkways, walls, and other structures. A core O*NET task: measure distance from reference points and mark guidelines to lay out work, using plumb bobs and levels. Employers most often ask for Accounting software, Office suite software, Operating system software.
Which states pay Brickmasons and Blockmasons the most?
The highest state medians for Brickmasons and Blockmasons are Minnesota ($95,220), Massachusetts ($94,950), Illinois ($89,980) (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
What personality type suits a Brickmason and Blockmason?
O*NET scores Brickmasons and Blockmasons highest on the Realistic and Conventional interest areas, so the work mixes hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors with organising, following procedures and working precisely with data. On NueCareer's MBTI-to-interest mapping that lines up most closely with ISTJ personalities. Personality is a fit signal, not a gate. The free NueCareer quiz scores your own profile against all 1,731 careers in the bank.