All careers › Helpers--Brickmasons, Blockmasons, Stonemasons, and Tile and Marble Setters
Hod carrier: pay, job outlook and how to become one
- $36,230lowest 10% earn less
- $40,10025th percentile
- $47,550median
- $57,98075th percentile
- $70,080top 10% earn more
The median hod carrier earned $47,550 a year in May 2025[1]. BLS projects this job count to fall 11.7% from 2025 to 2035[2].
- Job growth, 2025–35
- -11.7%[2]
- Openings per year
- 1,100[5]
- Typical entry education
- No formal educational credential[6]
How much do hod carriers make?
This page covers the BLS category Helpers--Brickmasons, Blockmasons, Stonemasons, and Tile and Marble Setters. O*NET lists hod carrier as one job title for it[7]. In May 2025 the median wage was $47,550 a year, or $22.86 an hour[1]. Half of workers earned more and half earned less[1]. The average was $50,920 a year, or $24.48 an hour[8]. For comparison, the median for all occupations was $50,980 a year[4].
The range looks like this:
| Point | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile[3][9] | $36,230 | $17.42 |
| 25th percentile[3][9] | $40,100 | $19.28 |
| Median[1] | $47,550 | $22.86 |
| 75th percentile[3][9] | $57,980 | $27.88 |
| 90th percentile[3][9] | $70,080 | $33.69 |
A percentile is a boundary. For example, the lowest-paid 10% of workers earned less than $36,230[3]. BLS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary[10].
These figures cover wage and salary workers only. They leave out the self-employed and do not include bonuses or the cost of benefits[11]. Only 1.7% of workers in this category were self-employed in 2025[12].
Pay by state and city
Among the 43 states and DC with published data, Washington had the highest median at $76,180[13]. Missouri followed at $63,720, then New York at $62,020[13]. Louisiana had the lowest listed median at $31,740[13].
California had the most jobs at 3,600, followed by New York with 890 and Texas with 880[14]. Among metro areas with at least 100 jobs, New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ had the highest median at $70,080, followed by Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH at $65,870[15]. The Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA area had the most jobs, at 940[16].
Show median pay in 43 states and DC
| State | Median per year | Jobs |
|---|---|---|
| Washington[13] | $76,180 | 150 |
| Missouri | $63,720 | 240 |
| New York | $62,020 | 890 |
| Hawaii | $61,020 | 50 |
| Massachusetts | $61,020 | 410 |
| Wisconsin | $59,390 | 140 |
| Iowa | $59,220 | 60 |
| Connecticut | $59,080 | 430 |
| Pennsylvania | $58,930 | 90 |
| Ohio | $57,410 | 500 |
| Delaware | $56,340 | 130 |
| Indiana | $54,090 | 300 |
| Oregon | $51,230 | 300 |
| North Dakota | $50,120 | 50 |
| Utah | $50,100 | 370 |
| Colorado | $49,980 | 230 |
| California | $49,590 | 3,600 |
| Vermont | $49,570 | 70 |
| Tennessee | $49,560 | 200 |
| South Dakota | $49,150 | 100 |
| Idaho | $48,950 | 210 |
| Montana | $48,710 | 130 |
| New Hampshire | $48,540 | 80 |
| Wyoming | $48,070 | 30 |
| New Jersey | $47,480 | 70 |
| Nebraska | $47,000 | 110 |
| Michigan | $45,540 | 240 |
| Nevada | $44,720 | 460 |
| Virginia | $43,960 | 600 |
| Kansas | $43,270 | 170 |
| Illinois | $41,530 | n/a |
| District of Columbia | $41,430 | n/a |
| Florida | $40,160 | 750 |
| Oklahoma | $39,970 | 90 |
| Arkansas | $39,810 | 90 |
| Texas | $39,630 | 880 |
| North Carolina | $39,230 | 690 |
| New Mexico | $37,960 | n/a |
| West Virginia | $37,870 | 50 |
| Alabama | $37,390 | 70 |
| South Carolina | $36,180 | 30 |
| Maryland | $35,840 | 150 |
| Arizona | $34,220 | n/a |
| Louisiana | $31,740 | 60 |
How to become a hod carrier
BLS lists no formal educational credential and no related work experience as the typical entry requirement. The typical training is short-term on-the-job training[6]. In an O*NET survey of 22 workers, 58% said a high school diploma or equivalent is required, 24% said less than a high school diploma, and 12% said a post-secondary certificate[17].
The training details below come from a Handbook profile that covers a wider group of construction laborers and helpers[18].
- First: learn on the job, often by shadowing experienced workers and doing tasks under their guidance[19].
- Next: expect that some employers prefer a high school diploma or equivalent[20].
- Then: complete safety certification if the employer asks for it. Employers often require it, before or after hiring[21]. A driver's license may also be required[22].
- Or: some workers complete an apprenticeship that combines on-the-job training with technical instruction[23].
Helpers sometimes move into construction trades after gaining experience and finishing any required credentials or training[24].
What hod carriers do
Helpers in this category assist masons and tile setters with work that needs less skill. They handle and supply materials or tools and clean the work area and equipment[25]. Typical tasks include:
- Mixing mortar, plaster and grout by hand or with machines[26].
- Cutting materials to size with power saws or tile cutters[26].
- Putting up scaffolding or other structures[26].
- Bringing materials to the masons following drawings or numbered sequences[26].
- Spreading grout between joints and removing extra grout[26].
- Cleaning surfaces, tools and work sites[26].
Job titles in O*NET include mason tender, bricklayer helper and marble helper[7].
Where they work
The Handbook says construction laborers and helpers often work outdoors in all weather, and some work at great heights or in confined spaces[27]. Construction laborers have one of the highest injury and illness rates of all occupations, and workers lower the risk by following safety practices and wearing protective gear[28]. Most work full time, but schedules may vary, and in some places work is seasonal[29]. Specialty trade contractors employed 32% of the wider group in 2025[30].
Job outlook
BLS projects employment to fall 11.7% from 2025 to 2035, from about 14,100 to 12,500 jobs[2]. Employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5%[31]. These counts include the self-employed[2].
Even so, about 1,100 openings a year are projected[5]. Openings include jobs created when workers retire or change occupations, not only new jobs[5]. Each year, 3.1% of workers leave the labor force and 6.1% move to a different occupation[32].
Is it a good fit?
The facts show a median pay a little below the all-occupations median and a projected decline in jobs[1][4][2]. Entry needs no formal credential, and the training is short-term and on the job[6]. The work is often outdoors, and construction laborers in the wider group have one of the highest injury and illness rates[27][28]. Some helpers move on into construction trades with experience[24].
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a hod carrier make an hour?
- The median was $22.86 an hour in May 2025[1]. The 10th percentile was $17.42 and the 90th was $33.69[9].
- Do you need a degree to be a hod carrier?
- BLS lists no formal educational credential as the typical entry requirement[6].
- Is hod carrier work in demand?
- BLS projects employment to fall 11.7% from 2025 to 2035, but about 1,100 openings a year are still expected[2][5].
- What is the highest paying state for hod carriers?
- Washington had the highest median at $76,180, followed by Missouri at $63,720[13].
Facts and sources
- BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median wage for Helpers--Brickmasons, Blockmasons, Stonemasons, and Tile and Marble Setters in the US was $47,550 per year and $22.86 per hour. Half of workers earned more and half earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS Employment Projections: employment of Helpers--Brickmasons, Blockmasons, Stonemasons, and Tile and Marble Setters is projected to decline 11.7% from 2025 to 2035, from about 14,100 to 12,500 jobs (a change of -1,700). These counts include self-employed workers. BLS Employment Projections
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, annual wage percentiles for Helpers--Brickmasons, Blockmasons, Stonemasons, and Tile and Marble Setters: 10th percentile $36,230, 25th percentile $40,100, 75th percentile $57,980, 90th percentile $70,080. The 10th percentile means 10% of workers earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median annual wage for all occupations in the US was $50,980. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS Employment Projections: about 1,100 openings for Helpers--Brickmasons, Blockmasons, Stonemasons, and Tile and Marble Setters 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
- BLS Employment Projections, typical path into Helpers--Brickmasons, Blockmasons, Stonemasons, and Tile and Marble Setters: education needed for entry: No formal educational credential; work experience in a related occupation: None; typical on-the-job training: Short-term on-the-job training. BLS Employment Projections
- O*NET 47-3011.00 sample job titles reported by workers: Bricklayer Apprentice, Bricklayer Helper, Helper, Hod Carrier, Marble Helper, Mason Apprentice, Mason Assistant, Mason Tender. O*NET OnLine
- BLS OEWS, May 2025: the mean (average) wage for Helpers--Brickmasons, Blockmasons, Stonemasons, and Tile and Marble Setters was $50,920 per year and $24.48 per hour. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, hourly wage percentiles for Helpers--Brickmasons, Blockmasons, Stonemasons, and Tile and Marble Setters: 10th percentile $17.42, 25th percentile $19.28, 75th percentile $27.88, 90th percentile $33.69. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- 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
- 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
- BLS Employment Projections: 1.7% of Helpers--Brickmasons, Blockmasons, Stonemasons, and Tile and Marble Setters were self-employed in 2025. BLS Employment Projections
- Median annual wage for Helpers--Brickmasons, Blockmasons, Stonemasons, and Tile and Marble Setters in every state with published data, May 2025 (table on this page). BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, states with the most Helpers--Brickmasons, Blockmasons, Stonemasons, and Tile and Marble Setters jobs: California 3,600; New York 890; Texas 880; Florida 750; North Carolina 690. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the highest median annual wage for Helpers--Brickmasons, Blockmasons, Stonemasons, and Tile and Marble Setters (areas with at least 100 jobs): New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ $70,080; Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH $65,870; St. Louis, MO-IL $64,400; Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA $61,420; San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $59,000; Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD $57,980; Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN $57,410; Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA $57,400. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the most Helpers--Brickmasons, Blockmasons, Stonemasons, and Tile and Marble Setters jobs: Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA 940 (median $48,220); New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ 690 (median $70,080); Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA 610 (median $46,750); Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX 460 (median $39,700); Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV 420 (median $45,030); Las Vegas-Henderson-North Las Vegas, NV 350 (median $44,170). BLS OEWS, May 2025
- O*NET 47-3011.00 survey of workers (22 respondents), education level they say is required: High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) 58%, Less than a High School Diploma 24%, Post-Secondary Certificate 12%, First Professional Degree 6% (levels under 5% not listed). O*NET OnLine
- The BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook profile "Construction Laborers and Helpers" covers Helpers--Brickmasons, Blockmasons, Stonemasons, and Tile and Marble Setters together with other related occupations, so its text describes the wider group. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Training. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Training. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Advancement. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- O*NET description of Helpers--Brickmasons, Blockmasons, Stonemasons, and Tile and Marble Setters. O*NET OnLine
- O*NET task list for Helpers--Brickmasons, Blockmasons, Stonemasons, and Tile and Marble Setters. O*NET OnLine
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Injuries and Illnesses. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, largest employers of construction laborers and helpers in 2025: Specialty trade contractors 32%. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- BLS Employment Projections: employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% from 2025 to 2035. BLS Employment Projections
- BLS Employment Projections, 2025-35 annual average for Helpers--Brickmasons, Blockmasons, Stonemasons, and Tile and Marble Setters: 3.1% of workers leave the labor force each year and 6.1% move to a different occupation. BLS Employment Projections
- Related occupations (O*NET) with BLS pay, growth and entry education. O*NET OnLine
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.