Brickmasons and Blockmasons – Understanding the Occupation

Brickmasons and blockmasons are skilled tradespeople who specialize in laying bricks and blocks to create everything from walls and chimneys to foundations and archways. These professionals are important in the construction industry because they bring an artistic and functional touch to building structures.

Examples of brickmasons and blockmasons’ work are visible all around us – the brick walls in apartments, the chimneys in fireplaces, and the beautiful archways in buildings, to name a few.

Education and Training Required

To become a brickmason or blockmason, one must have a high school diploma or GED equivalent. These professionals are trained via an apprenticeship program, where they work with experienced masons to learn the craft. Typically, the apprenticeship lasts around three to four years and includes classroom instruction as well.

During the apprenticeship, trainees learn the basics of masonry such as laying bricks and blocks, reading blueprints, and working with different materials like concrete and stones. Also, they learn about safety protocols and other important construction techniques.

Advancement in the Field

Once a trainee completes their apprenticeship, they are considered a fully trained brickmason or blockmason. However, with experience, brickmasons and blockmasons can progress to senior positions in the field, such as masonry contractors, where they may oversee projects and supervise teams of masons.

Getting into the Field

If you’re interested in pursuing a career as a brickmason or blockmason, it’s important to have a passion for working with your hands and a willingness to learn and collaborate. You can try reaching out to local unions or apprenticeship programs to find opportunities to learn the trade.

Another way to get started is by taking courses in masonry or construction at a trade school or community college. Volunteering for construction projects is also a great way to gain experience and learn more about the occupation.

In summary, brickmasons and blockmasons are skilled tradespeople who are critical in the construction industry. They require a high school diploma or equivalent and training via an apprenticeship program. The field offers opportunities for career advancement for those who work hard to master the craft.

Brickmasons and Blockmasons Salary Data

The occupation of Brickmasons and Blockmasons is categorized into different levels and types, including union and nonunion. Here is the national average salary data for Brickmasons and Blockmasons:

Job Level	Type	Average Salary	Entry Level Salary	Experienced Level Salary
Level 05	All workers	$52,998.40 – $55,244.80	N/A	N/A
Level 06	All workers	$62,171.20 – $59,529.60	N/A	N/A
Entry	All workers	$46,966.40	N/A	N/A
Experienced	All workers	$66,976.00	N/A	N/A
All levels	Union	$86,881.60 – $78,977.60	N/A	N/A
All levels	Nonunion	$54,392.00 – $47,902.40	N/A	N/A
All levels	Full-time	$62,878.40 – $58,697.60	N/A	N/A
Level 05	Full-time	$52,998.40 – $55,307.20	N/A	N/A
Level 06	Full-time	$62,171.20 – $59,425.60	N/A	N/A
Entry	Full-time	$47,652.80	N/A	N/A
Experienced	Full-time	$66,976.00	N/A	N/A
All levels	Time-based pay	$62,358.40 – $58,406.40	N/A	N/A

The salary data varies depending on the job level and type, with union workers having a higher average salary compared to nonunion workers. Full-time workers, particularly those in experienced and level 06 positions, also have a higher average salary than entry-level workers.

Unionization has a significant effect on the salary of Brickmasons and Blockmasons, with union workers having an average salary of $86,881.60 – $78,977.60, significantly higher than nonunion workers who have an average salary of $54,392.00 – $47,902.40.

The following are two geographies with the highest and lowest average salary for Brickmasons and Blockmasons: