Explore national salary, projected growth, education requirements, and career opportunities across the United States.
A concise view of this occupation’s national scale, compensation, and projected demand.
National median annual wage for this occupation.
Estimated jobs currently supported nationwide.
Projected employment change through 2034.
Estimated openings created each year.
The typical education, prior experience, and on-the-job training associated with entry into this career.
High school diploma or equivalent
None
Apprenticeship
These are the highest-rated capabilities associated with success in this occupation. Scores are derived from occupational skill analysis and are measured on a 100-point scale.
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Explore the states and metropolitan areas offering the strongest combination of salary, employment, demand, and long-term opportunity.
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Understand the salary, outlook, education, and geographic opportunities shaping this career.
Brickmasons and blockmasons build and work with brick, block, and related materials, combining physical work with precision and attention to detail. Nationally, this occupation employs about 74,000 people, with a projected employment growth rate of 3.2%. There are an estimated 6,000 annual openings, which can reflect both new positions and the need to replace workers who move on to other opportunities. The role draws on a mix of physical strength and stamina, fine motor skills, and mechanical aptitude. Strong mathematics, science understanding, and being detail oriented support accurate, structurally sound work. Project management, leadership, customer service, and creativity and innovation can help brickmasons and blockmasons handle projects, coordinate with others, and address client needs. With a national median salary of $60,800 and additional opportunities in higher-paying states and metros, this path can appeal to people who prefer hands-on work and want to develop a specialized trade skill set over time.
Brickmasons and blockmasons earn a national median annual salary of $60,800, with pay varying by location. Among top states by opportunity score, Massachusetts stands out with a median salary of $94,950, followed by New York at $84,410 and Washington at $83,190. California and Colorado show median salaries of $69,050 and $65,260, respectively. Some metro areas offer even higher median pay. The Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro has a median salary of $96,960, and the New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ metro reports $92,300. San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA and San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA offer $77,350 and $75,930, while Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV is closer to the national median at $60,670. These figures suggest that location choice can significantly influence earning potential within this trade.
Brickmasons and blockmasons have national employment of about 74,000 workers, with projected employment growth of 3.2%. This projection indicates that overall employment in the field is expected to increase rather than decline. In addition, there are an estimated 6,000 annual openings. These openings can reflect a combination of new job creation and the need to replace workers who leave the occupation. The consistent 3.2% growth rate also appears in many of the top states and metro areas listed, indicating a similar projected growth pattern in those locations. For individuals considering this career, the combination of an established employment base, projected growth, and recurring annual openings suggests an ongoing need for new entrants and experienced workers who want to continue in or return to the field over time.
Location plays a major role in opportunity for brickmasons and blockmasons. At the state level, California ranks highly by opportunity score (67.38), with median pay of $69,050 and employment of 3,820. Massachusetts combines a high median salary of $94,950 with an opportunity score of 65.87, while New York offers $84,410 and an opportunity score of 65.78 with 3,790 employed. Colorado and Washington also appear among top states, with median salaries of $65,260 and $83,190 and opportunity scores of 56.97 and 56.29. All top states show the same projected growth rate of 3.2%. Among metro areas, San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA and New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ stand out with opportunity scores over 77. Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH offers the highest listed metro median salary at $96,960. These differences show that some metros and states combine higher pay, opportunity scores, or employment levels, giving job seekers multiple ways to prioritize location.
The typical education requirement for brickmasons and blockmasons is a high school diploma or equivalent. Beyond this baseline, success in the field draws on a defined set of skills. Physical strength and stamina and fine motor abilities are important for the hands-on, physically demanding nature of the work. Mathematics and science skills support accurate measurements and understanding of materials and structures. Being detail oriented helps ensure precision and quality. Mechanical aptitude is valuable for working with tools and equipment. Project management and leadership skills can support coordinating tasks, timelines, and small teams on projects. Customer service abilities help in interacting with clients or other stakeholders, and creativity and innovation can contribute to problem solving and design-related aspects of the job. Together, these skills complement the typical education level and shape the overall competency profile for people entering or advancing in this occupation.
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