Life As a Brickmason or Blockmason
Example of Brickmason or Blockmason Job 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.
Life As a Brickmason or Blockmason
- Measure distance from reference points and mark guidelines to lay out work, using plumb bobs and levels.
- Mix specified amounts of sand, clay, dirt, or mortar powder with water to form refractory mixtures.
- Remove excess mortar with trowels and hand tools, and finish mortar joints with jointing tools, for a sealed, uniform appearance.
- Apply and smooth mortar or other mixture over work surface.
- Break or cut bricks, tiles, or blocks to size, using trowel edge, hammer, or power saw.
- Clean working surface to remove scale, dust, soot, or chips of brick and mortar, using broom, wire brush, or scraper.
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Qualities of a Brickmason or Blockmason
When polled, Brickmasons and Blockmasons say the following skills are most frequently used in their jobs:
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Coordination: Adjusting actions in relation to others’ actions.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Operation Monitoring: Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
Types of Brickmason or Blockmason Jobs
- Brick Chimney Builder
- Concrete Block Mason
- Cupola Liner
- Chimney Builder
- Gypsum Block Setter
Are There Job Opportunities for Brickmasons and Blockmasons?
In 2016, there was an estimated number of 91,100 jobs in the United States for Brickmason or Blockmason. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 10.3% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 9,400 new jobs for Brickmason or Blockmason by 2026. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 9,000 job openings in this field each year.

The states with the most job growth for Brickmason or Blockmason are Utah, Colorado, and Oregon. Watch out if you plan on working in Maine, West Virginia, or Vermont. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Brickmason or Blockmason Average Salary
Brickmasons and Blockmasons make between $31,400 and $84,270 a year.

Brickmasons and Blockmasons who work in Illinois, New York, or Rhode Island, make the highest salaries.
Below is a list of the median annual salaries for Brickmasons and Blockmasons in different U.S. states.
State | Annual Mean Salary |
---|---|
Alabama | $39,690 |
Arizona | $46,290 |
Arkansas | $44,990 |
California | $59,880 |
Colorado | $53,870 |
Connecticut | $59,320 |
Delaware | $54,610 |
District of Columbia | $63,680 |
Florida | $38,710 |
Georgia | $39,020 |
Hawaii | $64,290 |
Idaho | $46,510 |
Illinois | $74,500 |
Indiana | $53,170 |
Iowa | $53,070 |
Kansas | $56,790 |
Kentucky | $46,150 |
Louisiana | $41,430 |
Maine | $40,430 |
Maryland | $50,150 |
Massachusetts | $70,680 |
Michigan | $52,710 |
Minnesota | $61,630 |
Mississippi | $35,850 |
Missouri | $64,900 |
Montana | $45,420 |
Nebraska | $53,080 |
Nevada | $47,370 |
New Hampshire | $45,960 |
New Jersey | $71,320 |
New Mexico | $41,900 |
New York | $77,540 |
North Carolina | $39,450 |
North Dakota | $55,360 |
Ohio | $55,950 |
Oklahoma | $47,030 |
Oregon | $56,230 |
Pennsylvania | $54,710 |
Rhode Island | $65,750 |
South Carolina | $38,850 |
South Dakota | $52,020 |
Tennessee | $48,360 |
Texas | $46,420 |
Utah | $39,820 |
Vermont | $51,950 |
Virginia | $45,350 |
Washington | $69,260 |
West Virginia | $42,590 |
Wisconsin | $55,900 |
Wyoming | $53,800 |
Tools & Technologies Used by Brickmasons and Blockmasons
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Brickmasons and Blockmasons:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft Windows
- Intuit QuickBooks
- CPR Visual Estimator
- Estimating software
- Construction Management Software ProEst
- Tradesman’s Software Master Estimator
- Daystar iStructural.com
- RISA Technologies RISA-3D
How to Become a Brickmason or Blockmason
What education is needed to be a Brickmason or Blockmason?

How many years of work experience do I need?

Where Brickmasons and Blockmasons Work

Brickmasons and Blockmasons work in the following industries:

You May Also Be Interested In…
Those thinking about becoming a Brickmason or Blockmason might also be interested in the following careers:
Career changers with experience as a Brickmason or Blockmason sometimes find work in one of the following fields:
References:
Image Credit: Leonard G. via Creative Commons ShareAlike 1.0
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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