The median pay for Stonemasons is $57,390 a year ($27.59/hr), according to BLS OEWS, May 2025. Employment is projected to fall 5.4% through 2035, with about 500 openings a year (BLS EP, 2025–2035). Typical entry-level education: High school diploma or equivalent.
- SOC 47-2022
- Construction and Extraction
- Last updated October 9, 2026
At a glance
Stonemason in four numbers
- Median pay
- $57,390a year, or $27.59/hrBLS OEWS, May 2025Lowest 10% $39KTop 10% $86K
US median, all jobs: $50,980
- Projected growth
- -5.4%DecliningBLS EP, 2025–2035This career−5.4%All jobs+3.5%
Projected employment change, 2025–2035 Item Value This career −5.4% All jobs +3.5% - Openings a year
- 5009,300 jobs todayBLS EP, 2025–2035
- Jobs in 20259.3K
- Projected 20358.8K
Employment, 2025–2035 Item Value Jobs in 2025 9.3K Projected 2035 8.8K - Typical education
- High schoolneeded to enterBLS EP, 2025–2035; mix: O*NET
- Less than high school42.1%
- High school57.9%
Highest education held by stonemasons Segment Value Less than high school 42.1% High school 57.9%
Also advertised as: Marble Installer, Marble Shop Worker, Mason, Mason Mechanic, Stone Derrickman, Stone Installer.
Pay
How much do Stonemasons make?
Every stonemason in the US, by percentile of annual wage
Median
$57,390
Middle half earn $45,450 to $71,630
- 10th
- $39,300
- 25th
- $45,450
- 75th
- $71,630
- 90th
- $86,180
All US occupations: $50,980
| Percentile | Value |
|---|---|
| 10th | $39,300 |
| 25th | $45,450 |
| Median | $57,390 |
| 75th | $71,630 |
| 90th | $86,180 |
| All US occupations | $50,980 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Median annual wage
- $57,390
- Median hourly wage
- $27.59/hr
- Mean annual wage
- $60,710
- People employed
- 7,820
Versus all US occupations
At $57,390, Stonemasons earn 13% above the $50,980 median across all US occupations, a difference of $6,410 a year.
Versus construction and extraction occupations
Inside the Construction and Extraction group, where the middle occupation pays $60,020, this is 4% below the group median.
Pay range
The top 10% earn $86,180 or more while the bottom 10% earn $39,300, a gap of 2.2×. That is a typical spread for a US occupation.
Rank in the bank
This median pays more than 29% of the 1,741 occupations in the NueCareer career bank.
Highest-paying state
Wisconsin pays the most at $82,740, and still leads at $87,932 once local prices are taken into account.
Pay by state
Which states pay Stonemasons 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1Wisconsin | $82,740 | $87,932 | 70 |
| 2Nevada | $79,600 | $79,617 | 220 |
| 3Washington | $78,010 | $72,898 | 350 |
| 4Massachusetts | $69,610 | $65,821 | N/A |
| 5New Jersey | $66,210 | $60,852 | N/A |
| 6Vermont | $65,950 | $67,325 | 80 |
| 7Rhode Island | $62,510 | $61,117 | N/A |
| 8Montana | $61,040 | $64,494 | 160 |
| 9Maine | $60,980 | $62,834 | 230 |
| 10California | $60,930 | $55,031 | 1,250 |
Job outlook
Is Stonemason a growing career?
Employment change over 2025–2035, against every US occupation
Declining. -5.4% projected growth vs 3.5% for all occupations.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Stonemasons | −5.4% |
| All US occupations | +3.5% |
Source: BLS EP, 2025–2035
Declining
BLS projects employment of Stonemasons to change -5.4% over 2025–2035, while total US employment is projected to rise 3.5%. That is 500 fewer jobs.
Annual openings
About 500 openings are projected each year, 5.4% of the 9,300 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 Stonemason
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 stonemasons.
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)57.9%
- Less than a High School Diploma42.1%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) | 57.9% |
| Less than a High School Diploma | 42.1% |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
The work
What does a Stonemason do?
Build stone structures, such as piers, walls, and abutments. Lay walks, curbstones, or special types of masonry for vats, tanks, and floors.
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
- Set stone or marble in place, according to layout or pattern.
- Clean excess mortar or grout from surface of marble, stone, or monument, using sponge, brush, water, or acid.
- Mix mortar or grout and pour or spread mortar or grout on marble slabs, stone, or foundation.
- Lay out wall patterns or foundations, using straight edge, rule, or staked lines.
- Remove wedges, fill joints between stones, finish joints between stones, using a trowel, and smooth the mortar to an attractive finish, using a tuck pointer.
- Replace broken or missing masonry units in walls or floors.
- Shape, trim, face and cut marble or stone preparatory to setting, using power saws, cutting equipment, and hand tools.
- Set vertical and horizontal alignment of structures, using plumb bob, gauge line, and level.
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 dayFace-to-face discussions every day.
Dealing with the public
Not importantExtremely importantDealing with customers or the public is very important.
Pressure and stakes
Strict deadlines
NeverEvery dayConflict situations
NeverEvery dayCost of a mistake
Not seriousExtremely serious
Autonomy
Freedom to decide
NoneA lotA lot of freedom to make decisions without checking first.
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 Thinking3.5
- Reading Comprehension3.0
- Active Listening3.0
- Speaking3.0
- Mathematics3.0
- Monitoring3.0
- Active Learning2.8
- Writing2.6
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Critical Thinking | 3.5 |
| Reading Comprehension | 3.0 |
| Active Listening | 3.0 |
| Speaking | 3.0 |
| Mathematics | 3.0 |
| Monitoring | 3.0 |
| Active Learning | 2.8 |
| Writing | 2.6 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Transferable skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Complex Problem Solving3.3
- Judgment and Decision Making3.3
- Time Management3.3
- Coordination3.1
- Operations Monitoring3.1
- Operation and Control2.9
- Management of Personnel Resources2.9
- Quality Control Analysis2.8
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Complex Problem Solving | 3.3 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 3.3 |
| Time Management | 3.3 |
| Coordination | 3.1 |
| Operations Monitoring | 3.1 |
| Operation and Control | 2.9 |
| Management of Personnel Resources | 2.9 |
| Quality Control Analysis | 2.8 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Tools and software
- Accounting software · in demand
- Enterprise resource planning ERP software · in demand
- Office suite software · in demand
- Spreadsheet software · in demand
- Web platform development software · in demand
- Word processing software · in demand
- Access software
- Analytical or scientific software
- Computer aided design CAD software
- Network security or virtual private network VPN management 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 Stonemason?
O*NET Occupational Interests (RIASEC), scored 1 to 7
| Axis | Stonemason |
|---|---|
| Realistic | 7 |
| Investigative | 2 |
| Artistic | 3 |
| Social | 2 |
| Enterprising | 1 |
| Conventional | 3 |
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.
- Realistic7.0
- Conventional3.0
- Artistic2.9
- Investigative2.1
- Social1.9
- Enterprising1.3
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 Stonemason
O*NET related occupations
- Construction and Extraction
- Construction and Extraction
- Production
- Construction and Extraction
- 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 - Construction and Extraction
Cement Mason and Concrete Finisher
$57,020median a year
Most earn $39K to $85K
+1.6%No formal credential
More construction and extraction careers
Median annual pay, with stonemasons highlighted
- Plumber$63,800
- Electrician$63,190
- Structural Iron and Steel Worker$62,780
- Sheet Metal Worker$61,800
- Carpenter$60,580
- Operating Engineer and Other Construction Equipment Operator$59,850
- Stonemason$57,390
- Roofer$55,440
- Oil and Gas Roustabout$46,960
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Plumber | $63,800 |
| Electrician | $63,190 |
| Structural Iron and Steel Worker | $62,780 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $61,800 |
| Carpenter | $60,580 |
| Operating Engineer and Other Construction Equipment Operator | $59,850 |
| Stonemason | $57,390 |
| Roofer | $55,440 |
| Oil and Gas Roustabout | $46,960 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
Lists Stonemason appears on
Questions
Stonemason: frequently asked questions
How much do Stonemasons make?
Stonemasons earn a median of $57,390 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025), 13% above the $50,980 US median across all occupations. That works out at $27.59/hr. The middle half earn between $45,450 and $71,630. The top 10% earn $86,180 or more.
Do you need a degree to become a Stonemason?
No. A bachelor's degree is not the norm: BLS reports a high school diploma or equivalent as the typical entry-level education for Stonemasons. BLS also lists apprenticeship as typical on-the-job training. In O*NET's survey of people already doing the job, 57.9% hold high school diploma or the equivalent (such as a ged).
Is Stonemason a growing career?
No. BLS projects employment to fall 5.4% over 2025–2035, a loss of 500 jobs (BLS EP, 2025–2035). BLS still projects about 500 openings a year, mostly from workers retiring or moving to other work.
What does a Stonemason 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: set stone or marble in place, according to layout or pattern. Employers most often ask for Accounting software, Enterprise resource planning ERP software, Office suite software.
Which states pay Stonemasons the most?
The highest state medians for Stonemasons are Wisconsin ($82,740), Nevada ($79,600), Washington ($78,010) (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
What personality type suits a Stonemason?
O*NET scores Stonemasons highest on the Realistic interest area, which means hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors. On NueCareer's MBTI-to-interest mapping the closest types are ISTJ, ISTP. Personality is a fit signal, not a gate. The free NueCareer quiz scores your own profile against all 1,731 careers in the bank.