Brickmason and Blockmason Careers

brickmason-500Brickmasons and blockmasons use bricks and blocks to build houses, walls, fences, partitions, and other structures. The work is physically demanding, with lots of lifting, standing, kneeling, and bending required.

With just a high school diploma, you will be paid well as a mason. As our population continues to grow, there will also be many opportunities for those looking to enter the field. If you are looking for a job where you can work with your hands, use critical thinking skills, and work as part of a team, brickmasonry and blockmasonry may be for you.

Brickmason and Blockmason Career Snapshot

Masons primarily work outdoors, which means you may not be able to work when the weather is too hot or too cold. Most masons work full-time hours, although sometimes overtime is needed to get the job done. About 1 in 10 masons work for themselves, meaning they can set their own schedule.

Further details on a career as a brickmason and blockmason are listed below (statistics from the May 2015 Bureau of Labor Statistics and Onet Online):

$39,640

is the annual salary for brickmasons and blockmasons.

15%

increase in employment between 2014 and 2024.

58%

have less than High school diploma; 26% have a High school diploma or equivalent.

Brickmason & Blockmason Education

Most brickmasons and blockmasons have a high school diploma or G.E.D. You can learn on the job or through a masonry program at a technical school; however, most masons are trained through 3- to 4-year apprenticeship programs.

Brickmason & Blockmason Job Duties

In a typical day as a brickmason or blockmason, you might perform a variety of tasks: apply mortar to bricks or blocks, review blueprints, measure materials for installation, mix substances, and more. Masons use a variety of tools, such as trowels, cement mixers, and circular saws, to perform their job.

Brickmason & Blockmason Salaries

The median salary for brickmasons and blockmasons is $47,950 according to BLS.gov 2015 reports. The lowest 10% of masons makes $29,800 and the highest 10% makes $80,800. If you have a good job history, construction experience, or a military service background, you may have better job opportunities.

Brickmason & Blockmason Job Outlook

Over the next 10 years, the job outlook for brickmasons and blockmasons is great: employment is projected to grow 15 percent, which is much faster than average. As the population continues to grow, more homes, schools, and offices will need to be built, many of which will be made of bricks or blocks.

Brickmason and Blockmason Skills & Traits

Brickmason & Blockmason Skill Set:Required Abilities:Tools Used by Brickmasons & Blockmasons:Typical Work Activities:
• Critical Thinking
• Monitoring
• Coordination
• Quality Control Analysis
• Time Management
• Manual Dexterity
• Static Strength
• Trunk Strength
• Arm-Hand Steadiness
• Dynamic Strength
• Cold chisels
• Hammers
• Levels
• Manlift or personnel lift
• Trowels
• Handling and Moving Objects
• Performing General Physical Activities
• Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material
• Operating Vehicles
• Decision Making

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