Brickmasons and Blockmasons
Lay and bind building materials, such as brick, structural tile, concrete block, cinder block, glass block, and terra-cotta block, with mortar and other substances, to construct or repair walls, partitions, arches, sewers, and other structures.
📋Key Responsibilities
- •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.
- •Apply and smooth mortar or other mixture over work surface.
- •Calculate angles and courses and determine vertical and horizontal alignment of courses.
- •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.
- •Remove excess mortar with trowels and hand tools, and finish mortar joints with jointing tools, for a sealed, uniform appearance.
- •Fasten or fuse brick or other building material to structure with wire clamps, anchor holes, torch, or cement.
💡Inside This Career
The brickmason builds with brick, concrete block, and stone—laying units in mortar, building walls and structures, and creating the masonry work that has endured for millennia. A typical day centers on laying units. Perhaps 80% of time goes to masonry work: preparing surfaces, spreading mortar, placing bricks or blocks, cutting units, finishing joints. Another 15% involves preparation—setting layouts, mixing mortar, staging materials. The remaining time addresses cleanup and coordination.
People who thrive as brickmasons combine physical strength with precision and the artistic eye that beautiful masonry requires. Successful masons develop speed while maintaining the accuracy that straight walls and clean joints demand. They must work in all weather conditions. Those who struggle often cannot achieve the pace that productivity requires or find the physical demands unsustainable. Others fail because they cannot produce the quality work that distinguishes skilled masons.
Bricklaying represents one of the oldest construction trades, with masons building the durable structures that define communities. The trade combines craft skill with physical labor. Brickmasons appear in discussions of skilled trades, construction craftsmanship, and the workers who build in masonry.
Practitioners cite the tangible work and the craft tradition as primary rewards. Building permanent structures is deeply satisfying. The craft tradition provides identity. The variety of projects is engaging. The compensation for skilled masons is strong. The physical work is preferred to office jobs. Seeing your work stand for generations is meaningful. Common frustrations include the physical toll and the weather exposure. Many find that the work is extremely demanding on the body. Weather affects when work is possible. The kneeling and bending cause long-term damage. The entry through apprenticeship is demanding. Finding steady work requires reputation building. Seasonal slowdowns affect income in some regions.
This career requires masonry apprenticeship and craft training. Strong physical stamina, precision, and craft skill are essential. The role suits those who want building trades work and appreciate lasting craftsmanship. It is poorly suited to those with physical limitations, uncomfortable with weather exposure, or seeking desk work. Compensation is good for skilled trade work.
📈Career Progression
📚Education & Training
Requirements
- •Entry Education: High school diploma or equivalent
- •Experience: Some experience helpful
- •On-the-job Training: Few months to one year
Time & Cost
🤖AI Resilience Assessment
AI Resilience Assessment
Low Exposure: AI has limited applicability to this work; stable employment prospects
How much of this job involves tasks AI can currently perform
Likelihood that AI replaces workers vs. assists them
(BLS 2024-2034)
How much this role relies on distinctly human capabilities
💻Technology Skills
⭐Key Abilities
🏷️Also Known As
🔗Related Careers
Other careers in construction
🔗Data Sources
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