How much does a brickmasons and blockmasons make?

The median brickmasons and blockmasons salary in the United States is $62,120 per year ($29.87/hour). Salaries range from $44,820 (10th percentile) to $100,010 (90th percentile). There are 52,550 brickmasons and blockmasons jobs in the U.S. Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS.

Which state pays brickmasons and blockmasonss the most?

The highest paying state for brickmasons and blockmasonss is Minnesota at $95,220 median salary.

Is brickmasons and blockmasons a good career?

Brickmasons and Blockmasons employment is projected to grow 3.2% from 2024 to 2034 (as fast as average). There are approximately 5,600 job openings per year. Typical education required: High school diploma or equivalent.

What interview questions are asked for brickmasons and blockmasons roles?

Common brickmasons and blockmasons interview questions include: "Walk me through laying out a corner (lead) for an 8-inch running-bond brick wall.", "You're on a commercial job and the flashings weren't set correctly by the previous crew. What do you do?", "Describe a restoration or difficult project you completed.". Interview format at top employers ranges from behavioral panels (STAR method) to technical case rounds — for example BAC signatory commercial masonry contractors (Sun Valley Masonry, Masonry Arts, John Fanning, ICI regional shops) typically uses 1-2 phases; hall dispatch drives placement.

What is the career ladder for brickmasons and blockmasonss?

The typical brickmasons and blockmasons career ladder: Apprentice Brickmason / Blockmason (0-3 yrs, $40-62k stepping up 50% → 100% of journeyman scale + fringe) → Journeyman Brickmason / Blockmason (3-8 yrs, $62-92k base + fringe + OT on commercial deadlines) → Sr Mason / Foreman (8-15 yrs, $85-135k salaried or hourly + truck + OT + differentials) → Superintendent / Contractor Owner (15+ yrs, $135-235k+ salaried; owner-operators $150-350k+ depending on backlog and specialty).

What certifications should brickmasons and blockmasonss get?

Top-ROI certifications for brickmasons and blockmasonss: BAC apprenticeship completion (journeyman card) ($0 — union and employer-paid; apprentice dues $20-40/month); OSHA 10 + OSHA 30 Construction ($150-400 combined); IMTEF Restoration Basic + Advanced (International Masonry Training and Education Foundation) ($500-1,500 through Local training center; often subsidized for BAC members).

How do you negotiate a brickmasons and blockmasons salary?

Anchor on documented market data (BLS median $62,120, p75 $79,350), specific outcomes you've delivered, and the specific band for your years of experience. Ten years journeyman BAC Local [#], IMTEF Restoration Advanced, Preservation Brief 2 signatory on state historic-preservation contracts, and 4 years as a working foreman on adaptive-reuse and institutional civic project...

Brickmasons and Blockmasons Salary

The median brickmasons and blockmasons salary in the United States is $62,120 per year ($29.87/hour). Salaries range from $44,820 at the entry level to $100,010+ for the top 10% of earners. There are 52,550 brickmasons and blockmasons jobs nationwide. Employment is projected to grow 3.2% through 2034.

Last updated: June 2026 · Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Also known asBrickmasonBricklayerMason

Median Salary

$62,120

per year

Hourly Rate

$29.87

per hour

Employment

52,550

jobs in the U.S.

Salary Distribution

10th percentile

$44,820

25th percentile

$51,110

Median

$62,120

75th percentile

$79,350

90th percentile

$100,010

Job Growth (2024-2034)

+3.2%

As fast as average

Annual Openings

5,600

jobs/year (growth + replacements)

Education Required

High school diploma or equivalent

Training Needed

Apprenticeship

Brickmasons and Blockmasons Career Guide

Interview questions, resume templates, and a career ladder written specifically for brickmasons and blockmasonss.

Brickmasons and blockmasons build with brick, concrete block (CMU), and structural masonry — commercial building envelopes, warehouse walls, chimneys, retaining walls, and historic restoration. Union pathway runs through the International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers (BAC / IUBAC) locals, with signatory contractors on most commercial and institutional work. Apprentice $40-58k stepping up over 3-4 years; journeyman $62-92k; senior with restoration or refractory specialty $85-115k; foreman $105-145k. Historic restoration on federal contracts, refractory work at steel mills, and thin-brick manufacturer work all pay premium.

Core Skills Hiring Managers Screen For

Brick and block laying techniques

Running bond, common bond, Flemish bond, English bond, and stack bond pattern layout. Six-inch, 8-inch, and 12-inch CMU with rebar and grouted cells. Production journeymen lay 400-600 face brick per day or 150-200 CMU per day on a good wall.

Mortar mix and application

Type M (2500 psi, below-grade), Type S (1800 psi, structural), Type N (750 psi, general above-grade), and Type O (350 psi, restoration). Mixing by ratio (1:1/4:3 for Type M portland/lime/sand), retempering discipline, and 90-minute board life before you throw the batch.

Blueprint reading and layout

Reading architectural elevations, structural plans with rebar callouts, and detail drawings for lintels, expansion joints, flashings, and weeps. Snapping lines to establish course heights and window/door openings within 1/8" over 40 feet.

Scaffolding and fall protection

Frame scaffold, mast climber, and swing stage erection under OSHA subpart L. 100% tie-off above 6 feet on unguarded platforms. Setting mast climbers to reach 60-100 feet of wall face on commercial jobs.

Restoration and repointing

Historic brick repointing — grinding out old mortar to 3/4" depth without damaging brick faces, matching mortar color and texture to original, tuck pointing with a joint striker. National Park Service Preservation Brief 2 is the reference.

Refractory and specialty work

Firebrick installation in steel-mill ladles, kilns, and industrial furnaces at 2000-3000°F service temperatures. Requires specialty refractory training and often high-heat travel work at 20-40% wage premium.

Crew coordination and production

Working with mortar mixers, forklift operators, and tenders (helpers). A tender keeps 3-4 masons in mortar, brick, and block on a running wall; poor tender-to-mason ratio kills daily production.

How to Become a Brickmasons and Blockmasons

1
Meet baseline (18+, HS/GED, physical, driver's license)
Physical capacity to lift 80-100 lbs repeatedly, work outdoors in weather, and stand on scaffolds. Clean pre-employment drug screen; random testing continues on job.
2
Apply to BAC apprenticeship or a non-union contractor as a helper
BAC (International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers) runs 3-4 year paid apprenticeships through the International Masonry Training and Education Foundation (IMTEF). Non-union commercial masonry contractors (Sun Valley, Masonry Arts, regional shops) hire helpers directly and route through Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) or MCAA apprenticeship.
3
Complete OJT + classroom + advancement testing
BAC apprenticeship: 4,500-6,000 OJT hours + 480-576 classroom hours. Wage steps every 6-12 months at 50% → 65% → 75% → 85% → 100% of journeyman scale. Passing the practical journey exam graduates you to full BAC card.
4
Earn journeyman card and specialty credentials
Journeyman scale $28-42/hr union + fringe; $22-32/hr non-union. Add restoration (Preservation Brief 2 fluency), refractory (IMTEF advanced refractory certification), or PROSOC / GBI thin-brick installer credentials for premium.
5
Advance to Foreman → Superintendent → Contractor owner
$105-145k foreman with truck; $135-215k superintendent salaried; owner-operators of 3-6 mason crews clear $150-350k+ depending on backlog. Master mason licensure required in some states for signing off commercial work.

Career Progression

Apprentice Brickmason / Blockmason

0-3 yrs$40-62k stepping up 50% → 100% of journeyman scale + fringe

•Work under a journeyman on running walls, corners, and leads
•Complete 144-192 classroom hours per year + 1,500-2,000 OJT hours
•Master mortar mixing, joint tooling, and pattern layout
•Earn OSHA 10 / 30, fall protection, and scaffold user credentials

Next: Journeyman card at year 3-4 after passing practical exam.

Journeyman Brickmason / Blockmason

3-8 yrs$62-92k base + fringe + OT on commercial deadlines

•Set corners and leads independently; run 40-60 feet of wall per day production
•Read architectural drawings and lay out openings, expansion joints, flashings
•Mentor apprentices and helpers on pattern layout and tooling
•Handle basic restoration and repointing on adaptive-reuse jobs

Next: Sr Mason / Foreman at 8-12 years, or specialty (restoration or refractory) sooner.

Sr Mason / Foreman

8-15 yrs$85-135k salaried or hourly + truck + OT + differentials

•Run a 4-8 mason crew on commercial or institutional walls
•Coordinate with GC, structural engineer, and other trades on schedule and RFIs
•Own quality control (plumb, level, joint depth, expansion joint placement)
•Handle historic restoration or refractory specialty projects if credentialed

Next: Superintendent / Estimator at 12-18 years, or launch own signatory contractor.

Superintendent / Contractor Owner

15+ yrs$135-235k+ salaried; owner-operators $150-350k+ depending on backlog and specialty

•Coordinate multiple crews across simultaneous commercial projects
•Bid, estimate, and manage project P&L on $500k-$5M masonry contracts
•Interface with owners, architects, GCs, and BAC business agent
•Own hiring, safety program, and crew development

Next: Project Manager, Estimator, or expand contracting firm into multi-metro operations.

Interview Questions & Answers

5 free questions below. Career Kit unlocks 13 total plus resume bullets for every level.

Q1. Walk me through laying out a corner (lead) for an 8-inch running-bond brick wall.technical

Snap the base line off the architectural drawing, check for square with a 3-4-5 triangle on the footing. Set the story pole to the coursing height (typically 8 courses to 21-1/2 inches). Lay the first brick full on the corner with a 3/8" bed joint, plumb the return brick, and check the corner is 90 degrees with a framing square. Build the lead up 5-6 courses high, checking each course for level with a 4-foot level and plumb on both faces. String from the lead across the wall for the run of brick. Reset the string every course. A good lead is the difference between a running wall you can lay 500 brick a day off of and one where the mason is fighting the string all day.

Q2. You're on a commercial job and the flashings weren't set correctly by the previous crew. What do you do?situational

Stop coursing over the bad flashing — laying brick over incorrect through-wall flashing traps water in the cavity and leads to efflorescence, spalling, or worse, freeze-thaw damage in a couple winters. Notify the foreman and the GC. Get the flashing corrected before we course higher: proper end dams, minimum 6" up the back-up wall, seal laps with butyl or urethane, and weep holes at 24" on center over the flashing. Never build over a masonry defect and hope it holds — the callback is on the mason who laid the wall, not the one who ran the flashing.

Q3. Describe a restoration or difficult project you completed.behavioral

STAR. Situation: 1920s courthouse in the historic district needed 4,200 sq ft of exterior brick repointed after 90 years of failed lime-mortar joints. Task: repoint to match the original mortar color, texture, and joint profile without damaging the soft historic brick. Action: sampled and lab-tested the original mortar (portland-lime-sand mix, roughly 1:2:9 by volume for a softer joint), hand-ground out the failed mortar to 3/4" depth without saw damage to the brick edges, and tuck-pointed with a curved joint striker matching the original raked profile. Result: passed State Historic Preservation Office inspection first try, 12-month callback rate zero, and the shop won two more restoration bids on referral.

Q4. Why masonry over concrete or carpentry?culture

The craft lasts. A brick wall I lay today is still standing 100 years from now — you can point to it on the skyline decades later. Concrete work moves faster but a wall is a wall in a year. Masonry pays journeyman scale close to concrete finisher, has a stronger BAC pension, and the specialty ladder (restoration, refractory, thin-brick manufacturer work) has more upside than most concrete crafts. Also honest work outdoors and craftsmanship you can see.

Q5. Where do you see your career in 5 years?closer

Journeyman card in year 3, then push toward restoration specialty through IMTEF advanced restoration classes — historic and adaptive-reuse work is the highest-margin masonry work in most metros. By year 8-10 I'd like to be on a foreman track running a 5-6 mason crew, and long-term I'd consider running my own signatory shop if I can build the backlog.

Resume Template — Journeyman (3-8 yrs)

Copy these bullets into your resume as a starting point. Career Kit includes bullets for every level of the ladder.

Journeyman (3-8 yrs)

▸Journeyman BAC Local [#] for 5 years; commercial and institutional walls on 22 projects totaling $85M+ scope.
▸Production average 480 face brick per day on running-bond commercial walls; passed practical journey exam 96/100.
▸IMTEF Restoration Basic certification + PROSOC thin-brick installer credential; OSHA 30 and scaffold user.
▸$36/hr union scale + fringe + $18/day tool allowance; $78k FY24 with 180 hours OT.

What Gets You Rejected

✗Can't consistently lay to plumb and level (out of tolerance more than 1/4" over 10 feet) — a career-limiter.
✗Skips wall ties, weeps, or expansion joints when the tender falls behind — cracks and leaks in year 2.
✗Doesn't understand mortar type selection or retempers old mortar past 90-minute board life — bond failure risk.
✗Fear of heights or scaffolds above 40 feet — commercial masonry works off mast climbers routinely.
✗Weak on cold-weather and hot-weather masonry protection (no admixtures, no heat, no covering) — walls fail in freeze-thaw or dry-out.
✗Poor rapport with tenders and helpers — a mason without tender support drops 40% in production.
✗Doesn't clean brick faces of mortar smears daily — cleaning up a hardened wall with acid the next week takes twice as long.

Salary Negotiation Levers

✓BAC Local scale sets the base; specialty credentials (restoration, refractory) drive premium.
✓Historic restoration on federal or state historic-preservation projects pays 15-25% above straight commercial masonry.
✓Refractory work at steel mills, glass plants, and kilns pays $8-15/hr premium plus travel per diem.
✓Metro premium: BAC scale in NYC ($54/hr+), Boston ($46/hr+), Chicago ($44/hr+), and SF Bay ($52/hr+) runs 30-50% above rural averages.
✓Sign-on bonuses of $2-6k common at specialty contractors chasing restoration or thin-brick specialists.
✓Foreman differential typically $4-8/hr over journeyman scale plus truck and phone.
✓Manufacturer certification programs (Belden, Endicott, Glen-Gery for premium brick) open specialty commercial and residential premium work.

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Brickmasons and Blockmasons Salary by State

Best Cities (cost-adjusted) →

Salary Map — Click a state for details

$43K

$95K■ No data

Top Paying States

Vertical line = national median. Click a state for full details.

State	Median	vs. National	Employment
Minnesota	$95,220	+53.3%	1,040
Massachusetts	$94,950	+52.8%	1,570
Illinois	$89,980	+44.8%	2,490
New York	$84,410	+35.9%	3,790
Washington	$83,190	+33.9%	600
Wisconsin	$80,120	+29.0%	1,050
North Dakota	$79,940	+28.7%	150
Oregon	$79,450	+27.9%	650
Rhode Island	$79,280	+27.6%	220
Hawaii	$79,250	+27.6%	120

Showing 1–10 of 50

Brickmasons and Blockmasons Salary by Metro Area

Metro Area	Median	vs. National
Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI	$97,960	+57.7%
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA	$97,830	+57.5%
Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH	$96,960	+56.1%
Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI	$96,010	+54.6%
Lima, OH	$94,220	+51.7%
Rochester, MN	$93,070	+49.8%
New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ	$92,300	+48.6%
Salem, OR	$92,110	+48.3%
Altoona, PA	$92,010	+48.1%
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN	$89,980	+44.8%

Showing 1–10 of 156

Data Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS). Data reflects the most recent annual survey.

How does this compare to pro athletes?

A brickmasons and blockmasons earning $62,120/year would need 960 years to match Stephen Curry's NBA salary, or 1030 yearsto match Patrick Mahomes' NFL contract.

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