Brickmasons and Blockmasons
Overview
Brickmasons and blockmasons build walls, walkways, and other structures using bricks and concrete blocks. They read blueprints to plan their work, mix mortar, and carefully lay each brick or block using levels and measuring tools to ensure everything is perfectly straight and strong. This hands-on job combines technical skills with creativity, as masons often work on both residential homes and large commercial projects. Many masons learn through apprenticeships or trade school programs, and the work often involves collaborating with other construction professionals on building sites.
Did you know?
This occupation requires significant physical strength and adherence to strict OSHA safety standards due to heavy lifting, prolonged standing, and exposure to construction hazards.
At a Glance
Median Wage
$63,057 Avg/yr
Growth
Stable
Top Skill
Technology Design
Key Responsibilities
- Remove excess mortar with trowels and hand tools, and finish mortar joints with jointing tools, for a sealed, uniform appearance.
- Examine brickwork or structure to determine need for repair.
- Apply and smooth mortar or other mixture over work surface.
- Clean working surface to remove scale, dust, soot, or chips of brick and mortar, using broom, wire brush, or scraper.
- Lay and align bricks, blocks, or tiles to build or repair structures or high temperature equipment, such as cupola, kilns, ovens, or furnaces.
- Remove burned or damaged brick or mortar, using sledgehammer, crowbar, chipping gun, or chisel.
- Fasten or fuse brick or other building material to structure with wire clamps, anchor holes, torch, or cement.
- Spray or spread refractory material over brickwork to protect against deterioration.
- 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.
- 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.
- Mix specified amounts of sand, clay, dirt, or mortar powder with water to form refractory mixtures.
- Calculate angles and courses and determine vertical and horizontal alignment of courses.
Career Considerations
Physical Demands and Safety Requirements
This occupation requires significant physical strength and adherence to strict OSHA safety standards due to heavy lifting, prolonged standing, and exposure to construction hazards.
Seasonal Employment Patterns
Work availability often fluctuates with weather conditions, as outdoor masonry projects typically decrease during winter months in many US regions.
Apprenticeship and Training Pathways
Most brick and block builders enter the field through formal apprenticeship programs or vocational training that combine classroom instruction with hands-on experience.