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Mason (brickmason and blockmason): pay, job outlook and how to become one

Updated October 26, 2026. Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET data. Published by Humblebee.

$62,120median pay per year, or $29.87 an hour, May 2025[1]
  1. $44,820lowest 10% earn less
  2. $51,11025th percentile
  3. $62,120median
  4. $79,35075th percentile
  5. $100,010top 10% earn more
Middle half of workers in the inner band[5]Median for all US jobs, $50,980[2]

Brickmasons and blockmasons had a median pay of $62,120 a year in May 2025, above the $50,980 median for all occupations[1][2]. Jobs are projected to grow 1.1% from 2025 to 2035, slower than the 3.5% rate for all occupations[3][4].

Job growth, 2025–35
+1.1%[3]
Openings per year
4,100[6]
Typical entry education
High school diploma or equivalent[7]

How much do masons make?

The median wage for brickmasons and blockmasons was $62,120 a year, or $29.87 an hour, in May 2025[1]. Half of workers earned more and half earned less[1]. The average (mean) was $68,280 a year, or $32.83 an hour[8]. The median for all occupations was $50,980[2].

Pay covers a wide range. These are the annual percentile wages[5]:

Percentile Annual wage Hourly wage
10th[5][9] $44,820 $21.55
25th[5][9] $51,110 $24.57
75th[5][9] $79,350 $38.15
90th[5][9] $100,010 $48.08

The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $44,820, and the top 10% earned more than $100,010[5]. A percentile is a boundary. BLS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary[10].

These figures cover wage and salary workers only. They leave out the self-employed, and they do not include bonuses or benefits such as health insurance[11]. About 17.5% of brickmasons and blockmasons were self-employed in 2025[12].

Pay by state and city

Median pay differs a lot by state. Minnesota ($95,220), Massachusetts ($94,950), Illinois ($89,980), New York ($84,410) and Washington ($83,190) came first in the state list[13]. Maine ($42,710) was last[13].

Among metro areas with at least 100 jobs, the top median, $97,960[14], was in Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington. Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue ($97,830) and Boston-Cambridge-Newton ($96,960) came next[14].

The most jobs were in Texas (4,300), California (3,820), New York (3,790), Pennsylvania (2,910) and Ohio (2,770)[15]. The metro areas with the most jobs were New York-Newark-Jersey City (3,010), Chicago-Naperville-Elgin (2,140) and Washington-Arlington-Alexandria (1,910)[16].

Show median pay in 49 states and DC
StateMedian per yearJobs
Minnesota[13]$95,2201,040
Massachusetts$94,9501,570
Illinois$89,9802,490
New York$84,4103,790
Washington$83,190600
Wisconsin$80,1201,050
North Dakota$79,940150
Oregon$79,450650
Rhode Island$79,280220
Hawaii$79,250120
New Jersey$77,010520
Indiana$73,1101,770
Missouri$72,3701,940
Ohio$70,9502,770
Pennsylvania$69,5602,910
Iowa$69,440290
California$69,0503,820
Connecticut$67,960480
New Hampshire$66,890140
Delaware$66,550200
Colorado$65,260870
District of Columbia$64,450200
Tennessee$63,8501,050
Michigan$63,5002,240
Idaho$62,510320
Nebraska$61,200350
Nevada$60,670810
Utah$60,4501,590
South Dakota$60,380320
Wyoming$60,040230
Kentucky$59,820780
Vermont$59,590100
Arizona$59,2601,190
Kansas$59,220330
Maryland$59,0301,650
Louisiana$57,440240
Texas$56,4104,300
Montana$56,030140
Arkansas$55,100450
Virginia$54,6802,350
Florida$52,7602,610
Georgia$50,650n/a
Oklahoma$50,620580
North Carolina$49,9401,760
Alabama$49,710370
South Carolina$49,010410
Mississippi$48,820160
West Virginia$46,600210
New Mexico$44,980270
Maine$42,71090

How to become a mason

The usual route into the job needs a high school diploma or equivalent, no work experience in a related occupation, and an apprenticeship[7]. The steps look like this:

Some workers start as construction laborers or helpers before they become masons[21]. Technical schools offer masonry programs, and these can run alongside apprenticeship training[22]. Groups such as unions and contractor associations sponsor apprenticeships[20].

In an O*NET survey of 16 workers, 70% said a high school diploma or equivalent was required, 13% said less than a high school diploma, and 13% said some college courses[23].

The training details come from a Bureau of Labor Statistics profile that covers masonry workers as a wider group, not only brickmasons and blockmasons[24].

Our facts do not say how long an apprenticeship lasts or what it costs.

After becoming a journey worker, some masons move up to supervisor or superintendent roles, and some become independent contractors[25]. The job also calls for comfort working at heights, dexterity, hand-eye coordination and physical stamina[26][27][28][29].

What masons do

Masons lay and bind materials such as brick, structural tile and concrete block with mortar. They build or repair walls, partitions, arches, sewers and other structures[30]. Typical tasks include:

Workers in O*NET report job titles such as bricklayer, brick mason, block mason and masonry installer[32].

Where they work

Masonry work is strenuous. Masons often lift heavy materials and stand, kneel and bend for long periods[33]. The work can be indoors or outdoors, in places that are dusty, dirty or muddy, and bad weather can affect outdoor jobs[33]. Cuts are common, and falls and being struck by objects also cause injuries, so workers wear protective gear[34].

The profile says most masons work full time, and some work overtime to meet construction deadlines[35]. Among masonry workers, the largest employer group in 2025 was poured concrete foundation and structure contractors, at 31%[36].

Job outlook

BLS projects employment of brickmasons and blockmasons to grow 1.1% from 2025 to 2035, from about 62,400 to 63,100 jobs, a change of +700[3]. Employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5%[4]. These counts include self-employed workers[3].

About 4,100 openings are projected each year on average[6]. Openings include jobs that open when workers retire or move to other occupations, not only new jobs[6]. Each year, 2.6% of workers leave the labor force and 3.9% move to a different occupation[37].

Is it a good fit?

The facts point to a job with pay above the all-occupations median[1][2] and an entry route that needs a high school diploma plus an apprenticeship[7]. Job growth is slower than average[3][4], but openings still come up each year as workers leave or change occupations[6][37]. The work is physical, often outdoors, and carries injury risk[33][34]. Pay also depends on where you work, with state medians ranging from $42,710 to $95,220[13].

Related occupations from O*NET, with BLS median pay and projected growth[38].

Frequently asked questions

How much does a mason make an hour?
The median was $29.87 an hour in May 2025, and the average was $32.83 an hour[1][8].
What degree do you need to be a mason?
The typical entry education is a high school diploma or equivalent, with an apprenticeship as the usual training[7].
Is masonry in demand?
Employment is projected to grow 1.1% from 2025 to 2035[3], compared with 3.5% for all occupations[4]. About 4,100 openings are projected each year[6].
What is the highest paying state for masons?
Minnesota had the highest median annual wage at $95,220 in May 2025, followed by Massachusetts at $94,950[13].

Facts and sources

  1. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median wage for Brickmasons and Blockmasons in the US was $62,120 per year and $29.87 per hour. Half of workers earned more and half earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  2. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median annual wage for all occupations in the US was $50,980. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  3. BLS Employment Projections: employment of Brickmasons and Blockmasons is projected to grow 1.1% from 2025 to 2035, from about 62,400 to 63,100 jobs (a change of +700). These counts include self-employed workers. BLS Employment Projections
  4. BLS Employment Projections: employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% from 2025 to 2035. BLS Employment Projections
  5. BLS OEWS, May 2025, annual wage percentiles for Brickmasons and Blockmasons: 10th percentile $44,820, 25th percentile $51,110, 75th percentile $79,350, 90th percentile $100,010. The 10th percentile means 10% of workers earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  6. BLS Employment Projections: about 4,100 openings for Brickmasons and Blockmasons are projected each year, on average, from 2025 to 2035. Openings include jobs that open when workers retire or move to other occupations, not only new jobs. BLS Employment Projections
  7. BLS Employment Projections, typical path into Brickmasons and Blockmasons: education needed for entry: High school diploma or equivalent; work experience in a related occupation: None; typical on-the-job training: Apprenticeship. BLS Employment Projections
  8. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the mean (average) wage for Brickmasons and Blockmasons was $68,280 per year and $32.83 per hour. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  9. BLS OEWS, May 2025, hourly wage percentiles for Brickmasons and Blockmasons: 10th percentile $21.55, 25th percentile $24.57, 75th percentile $38.15, 90th percentile $48.08. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  10. BLS OEWS FAQ: a percentile wage is a boundary. The median (50th percentile) separates the highest-paid 50% from the lowest-paid 50% of workers in the occupation. OEWS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  11. BLS OEWS FAQ: OEWS covers part-time and full-time workers paid a wage or salary. It does not cover the self-employed, owners and partners in unincorporated firms, household workers or unpaid family workers. OEWS wages do not include nonproduction bonuses or employer costs of benefits such as health insurance or retirement contributions. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  12. BLS Employment Projections: 17.5% of Brickmasons and Blockmasons were self-employed in 2025. BLS Employment Projections
  13. Median annual wage for Brickmasons and Blockmasons in every state with published data, May 2025 (table on this page). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  14. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the highest median annual wage for Brickmasons and Blockmasons (areas with at least 100 jobs): Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI $97,960; Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $97,830; Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH $96,960; Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI $96,010; New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ $92,300; Salem, OR $92,110; Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN $89,980; Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT $87,520. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  15. BLS OEWS, May 2025, states with the most Brickmasons and Blockmasons jobs: Texas 4,300; California 3,820; New York 3,790; Pennsylvania 2,910; Ohio 2,770. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  16. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the most Brickmasons and Blockmasons jobs: New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ 3,010 (median $92,300); Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN 2,140 (median $89,980); Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV 1,910 (median $60,670); Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX 1,590 (median $59,400); Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA 1,220 (median $63,450); Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD 1,210 (median $75,970). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  17. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  18. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  19. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Training. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  20. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Training. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  21. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Work Experience in a Related Occupation. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  22. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  23. O*NET 47-2021.00 survey of workers (16 respondents), education level they say is required: High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) 70%, Less than a High School Diploma 13%, Some College Courses 13% (levels under 5% not listed). O*NET OnLine
  24. The BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook profile "Masonry Workers" covers Brickmasons and Blockmasons together with other related occupations, so its text describes the wider group. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  25. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Advancement. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  26. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  27. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  28. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  29. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  30. O*NET description of Brickmasons and Blockmasons. O*NET OnLine
  31. O*NET task list for Brickmasons and Blockmasons. O*NET OnLine
  32. O*NET 47-2021.00 sample job titles reported by workers: Block Layer, Block Mason, Blockmason, Brick and Block Mason, Brick Mason, Bricklayer, Mason, Masonry Installer. O*NET OnLine
  33. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  34. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Injuries and Illnesses. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  35. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  36. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, largest employers of masonry workers in 2025: Poured concrete foundation and structure contractors 31%. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  37. BLS Employment Projections, 2025-35 annual average for Brickmasons and Blockmasons: 2.6% of workers leave the labor force each year and 3.9% move to a different occupation. BLS Employment Projections
  38. Related occupations (O*NET) with BLS pay, growth and entry education. O*NET OnLine

Notes are for reading the data only. They are not facts and cannot be cited: use the wage_scope and percentile_meaning facts instead. OEWS employment (jobs in May 2025) and Employment Projections employment (2025, includes self-employed) are different measures and can differ. O*NET education shares come from a small survey of workers in the occupation, not from all workers. The Occupational Outlook Handbook text covers a wider group of occupations than this page.

This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerFacts has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.