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Brickmasons and Blockmasons
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.
Other titles employers use
Block Layer · Block Mason · Blockmason · Brick and Block Mason · Brick Mason · Bricklayer · Mason · Masonry Installer
Inside the work
What you would actually do.
6 responsibilities that define the role, before job titles and workplaces change the details.
- Measure distance from reference points and mark guidelines to lay out work, using plumb bobs and levels.
- 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.
- Apply and smooth mortar or other mixture over work surface.
- Calculate angles and courses and determine vertical and horizontal alignment of courses.
- Break or cut bricks, tiles, or blocks to size, using trowel edge, hammer, or power saw.
- Interpret blueprints and drawings to determine specifications and to calculate the materials required.
Who it suits
Would this work hold your attention?
This career often appeals to people drawn to practical and organizing work.
- Practical
- Building, repairing, using tools, or working outdoors
- Organizing
- Creating order, checking details, and keeping work accurate
Skills and strengths
What you would get good at.
Compare the skills the work relies on, the subjects behind it, and the abilities that make it easier to learn.
Core skills
- Critical Thinking
- Coordination
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Monitoring
- Operations Monitoring
Subjects to know
- Building and Construction
- Mathematics
- English Language
- Public Safety and Security
- Production and Processing
Useful strengths
- Trunk Strength
- Extent Flexibility
- Arm-Hand Steadiness
- Manual Dexterity
- Static Strength
Working day
Picture yourself doing it.
These measures show how much of the day involves people, movement, conversation, and hands-on work.
| Measure | Out of 5 | What that means here |
|---|---|---|
| Close to other people | 4.3 | Arm’s length or closer, most of the day |
| On your feet | 4.9 | Standing or moving for most of it |
| Talking face to face | 4.0 | A regular part of the day |
| Working with your hands | 4.4 | Handling tools, instruments or materials |
Preparation
How people prepare for this work.
Employers usually ask for a high school diploma. Other routes may also lead into the field.
- High school or less 84%
- A certificate or some college 13%
- A two-year degree 3%
Tools of the work
Technology you may use.
- Accounting software
- Spreadsheet software
- Office suite software
- Operating system software
- Project management software
- Analytical or scientific software
- Computer aided design CAD software
Opportunity near you
See where this work is growing.
Choose a state to compare the size of the field, annual openings, and expected hiring change.
- People doing this work
- 7,300
- Job openings each year
- 20
- Expected hiring change, 2022–2032
- 2.2%
Compare every available state
| State | People doing it | Job openings each year | Expected change |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York | 7,300 | 20 | 2.2% |
| Florida | 6,070 | 530 | 13.9% |
| Texas | 5,830 | 490 | 9.4% |
| California | 4,800 | 420 | 14.3% |
| Illinois | 4,390 | 350 | — |
| Pennsylvania | 3,850 | 310 | 1.3% |
| Ohio | 3,750 | 300 | — |
| Virginia | 2,670 | 210 | 1.1% |
| Indiana | 2,650 | 210 | — |
| Michigan | 2,310 | 180 | −1.7% |
| Washington | 2,300 | 220 | 11.1% |
| Missouri | 2,280 | 190 | 2.2% |
| North Carolina | 2,270 | 190 | 7.6% |
| Maryland | 2,170 | 180 | 4.3% |
| Utah | 1,940 | 180 | 28.5% |
| Tennessee | 1,820 | 160 | 13.0% |
| Arizona | 1,780 | 150 | 11.9% |
| Minnesota | 1,760 | 150 | 3.5% |
| New Jersey | 1,310 | 110 | 4.0% |
| Colorado | 1,090 | 90 | 10.1% |
| Nevada | 1,050 | 90 | 8.2% |
| Wisconsin | 1,000 | 80 | 7.5% |
| Iowa | 950 | 80 | 9.2% |
| Kentucky | 940 | 80 | — |
| Nebraska | 870 | 70 | 7.4% |
| Kansas | 660 | 50 | 1.5% |
| Connecticut | 650 | 50 | 8.3% |
| Oregon | 610 | 50 | 13.0% |
| Massachusetts | 590 | 50 | 5.4% |
| Oklahoma | 580 | 50 | 3.6% |
| Alabama | 570 | 50 | 7.5% |
| Idaho | 570 | 50 | 21.3% |
| South Carolina | 570 | 50 | — |
| Maine | 520 | 40 | −1.9% |
| Louisiana | 490 | 40 | 8.9% |
| Rhode Island | 460 | 40 | 7.0% |
| Arkansas | 440 | 40 | 4.8% |
| Georgia | 420 | 40 | 13.5% |
| Montana | 400 | 40 | 17.6% |
| South Dakota | 390 | 30 | 8.3% |
| New Mexico | 350 | 30 | 9.4% |
| Mississippi | 330 | 30 | 17.9% |
| Wyoming | 260 | 20 | 23.8% |
| Delaware | 250 | 20 | 8.7% |
| West Virginia | 240 | 20 | −4.0% |
| New Hampshire | 220 | 20 | 4.8% |
| Vermont | 210 | 20 | 5.0% |
| North Dakota | 190 | 20 | 11.8% |
| Puerto Rico | 160 | 10 | 14.3% |
Career to college
Build a path toward this work.
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