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.
Brickmasons and Blockmasons
SOC: 47-2021 O*NET: 47-2021.00
Median Salary
$60,800
per year
Job Growth
➡️ 3.2%
Average (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
5.6
projected jobs/year
Education Level
High school diploma or equivalent
Job Zone 2
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.
What does a Brickmasons and Blockmasons do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$41,330
10th percentile
Early Career
$49,430
25th percentile
Median
$60,800
50th percentile
Experienced
$77,290
75th percentile
Top Earners
$95,560
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$41,330
25th
$49,430
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$60,800
Mean: $65,390
75th
$77,290
90th
$95,560
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $54,230 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $49,430 and $77,290
- •Salary spread is 45.8% around the median, showing high variation
- •Total national employment: 53,520 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Medium Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:74,100
Top Industries
Construction94.6%
Specialty Trade Contractors85.6%
Foundation, Structure, and Building Exterior Contractors78.2%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:+3.2%
Annual Openings:5,600
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)74,100
Current
2034 (Projected)76,400
+3.2%
+2,400
Employment Change
+3.2%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: As fast as average
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Brickmasons and Blockmasons professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 50 locations
Texas
4,440 jobs$51,0200.92x
Florida
3,640 jobs$49,9801.07x
California
3,480 jobs$66,4200.55x
Pennsylvania
3,150 jobs$67,2201.51x
Ohio
2,890 jobs$64,0301.51x
Illinois
2,850 jobs$86,3301.35x
Michigan
2,340 jobs$62,9701.54x
New York
2,280 jobs$77,6000.69x
Indiana
2,070 jobs$72,0501.88x
Missouri
2,030 jobs$70,5202.00x
Utah
1,810 jobs$56,3403.05x
North Carolina
1,670 jobs$48,4200.98x
Arizona
1,620 jobs$59,4001.46x
Virginia
1,580 jobs$55,6301.12x
Maryland
1,420 jobs$58,4201.49x
Understanding the Data
Location Quotient (LQ):
- • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
- • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
- • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average
Data Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024
Key Growth Factors
- •Average growth expected
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Critical Thinking
100%
#2
Coordination
92%
#3
Operations Monitoring
82%
#4
Speaking
74%
#5
Time Management
66%
#6
Quality Control Analysis
58%
#7
Active Listening
48%
#8
Monitoring
40%
Skills Overview
Critical Thinking
advanced5.0
100%
Coordination
advanced4.6
92%
Operations Monitoring
intermediate4.1
82%
Speaking
intermediate3.7
74%
Time Management
intermediate3.3
66%
Quality Control Analysis
basic2.9
58%
Active Listening
basic2.4
48%
Monitoring
basic2.0
40%
Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.
Filter:
Sort by:
Critical Thinking
advancedImportance100%
abilities
5.0/5.0
Coordination
advancedImportance92%
skills
4.6/5.0
Operations Monitoring
intermediateImportance82%
skills
4.1/5.0
Speaking
intermediateImportance74%
skills
3.7/5.0
Time Management
intermediateImportance66%
skills
3.3/5.0
Quality Control Analysis
basicImportance58%
skills
2.9/5.0
Active Listening
basicImportance48%
skills
2.4/5.0
Monitoring
basicImportance40%
skills
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic80%
5 shared skills
Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders78%
5 shared skills
Roofers78%
5 shared skills
Fence Erectors75%
5 shared skills
Automotive Body and Related Repairers70%
5 shared skills
Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers70%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Coordination
Learn on the Job:
- →Quality Control Analysis
- →Time Management
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Operations Monitoring
- ✓Coordination
- ✓Critical Thinking
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Critical Thinking
- ★Speaking
Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
- •Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
- •Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
- •Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for Brickmasons and Blockmasons
Technology Intensity
High
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires advanced digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Proficiency with specialized softwareTechnical documentationData analysis toolsSystem integration
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
Intuit QuickBooks
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Office software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Windows
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Excel
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Intuit QuickBooks
Microsoft Office software
Microsoft Windows
Microsoft Excel
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
🏢
Location
MOSTLY INDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
HIGH
👥
Team Orientation
MOSTLY TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
FREQUENT
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in mostly indoor environments?
- •Can you meet high physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy mostly team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
14
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
General Responsibilities (14)
1
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.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities100% perform100%
2
Measure distance from reference points and mark guidelines to lay out work, using plumb bobs and levels.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities97% perform98%
3
Calculate angles and courses and determine vertical and horizontal alignment of courses.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities94% perform96%
4
Fasten or fuse brick or other building material to structure with wire clamps, anchor holes, torch, or cement.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities91% perform94%
5
Break or cut bricks, tiles, or blocks to size, using trowel edge, hammer, or power saw.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities88% perform92%
6
Remove excess mortar with trowels and hand tools, and finish mortar joints with jointing tools, for a sealed, uniform appearance.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities85% perform90%
7
Interpret blueprints and drawings to determine specifications and to calculate the materials required.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities82% perform88%
8
Apply and smooth mortar or other mixture over work surface.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities79% perform86%
9
Mix specified amounts of sand, clay, dirt, or mortar powder with water to form refractory mixtures.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities76% perform84%
10
Examine brickwork or structure to determine need for repair.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on general responsibilities activities
- •50% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
- •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from Brickmasons and Blockmasons
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
Brickmasons and Blockmasons professionals typically have a RCI Holland code and highly value support
RRealistic
CConventional
IInvestigative
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Brickmasons and Blockmasons
Attention to Detail
CriticalAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.71
Dependability
Very ImportantDependability
Importance Level4.39
Integrity
Very ImportantIntegrity
Importance Level4.16
Cooperation
Very ImportantCooperation
Importance Level4.09
Independence
ImportantIndependence
Importance Level3.97
Achievement/Effort
ImportantAchievement/Effort
Importance Level3.93
Complete Work Styles Profile
Attention to Detail
4.7
Dependability
4.4
Integrity
4.2
Cooperation
4.1
Independence
4.0
Achievement/Effort
3.9
Persistence
3.8
Concern for Others
3.8
Initiative
3.8
Leadership
3.6
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
High school diploma or equivalent
Typical duration: High school diploma or GED
Preparation Level
Job Zone 2
Some Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:High school diploma or equivalent
These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work.
Training:
Training of a few months to a year
💼 Experience Requirement
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience
- • Vocational school programs (6 months to 2 years)
- • Industry certifications helpful
2
Job Zone Two: Some Preparation Needed
These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work.
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experienceVocational school programs (6 months to 2 years)Industry certifications helpful
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