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.
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. The role reports a median annual salary of $60,800 in the US and is projected to grow 3% over the next decade (about as fast as average). Entry typically requires a High school diploma or equivalent, and shows moderate AI exposure (0.44 on a 0-1 scale) — some tasks are being automated but the role adapts. The most in-demand skills for the role include Coordination, Critical Thinking, Monitoring, Quality Control Analysis, Active Listening.
Pay in the UK
UK: median £33,030 a year for Bricklayers (ONS ASHE 2025, full-time)
UK jobs are grouped differently; this is the closest UK occupation group (ONS SOC 2020 5313). ONS rates this estimate reasonably precise. 2025 provisional figures; ONS revises them a year later. Source: ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (Open Government Licence)
Pay in India (occupation group)
Average monthly earnings of salaried employees in the occupation group “Craft and related trades workers” in India, from the Government of India's Periodic Labour Force Survey (January–December 2025). It covers everyone in this group, not only Brickmasons and blockmasons, and it is not US pay converted to rupees.
Source: MoSPI (Government of India), Periodic Labour Force Survey Annual Report 2025, Table 51 — average wage/salary earnings of regular wage/salaried employees, NCO-2015 division 7. Official India data gives one average per occupation group: there are no official India figures for single careers, experience levels or cities. Read the report
How to get here in India
The usual route into this career in India. Each step links to the official page it comes from.
- 1 · Qualification ITI trade 'Mason (Building Constructor)' (1 year, after Class 8) under the Craftsmen Training Scheme[1][2]
- 2 · Certification Pass the all-India trade test to get the National Trade Certificate (NTC) from DGT[1]
- 3 · First role Bricklayer (construction) or assistant mason[1]
Rules change: check the exam body's and regulator's current notice before you apply.
- DGT — Mason (Building Constructor) trade syllabus (Craftsmen Training Scheme) (read on 2026-09-27)
- DGT — List of CTS courses (read on 2026-09-27)
Top skills
Knowledge you'll build
- Building and Construction
- Mathematics
- English Language
- Public Safety and Security
- Production and Processing
- Design
- Administration and Management
- Mechanical
What you'd actually do
- 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.
Tools & technology you'd use
Frequently asked questions
What does Brickmasons and blockmasons do?
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.
How much does Brickmasons and blockmasons earn?
The median annual salary for Brickmasons and blockmasons in the US is $60,800.
What is the job outlook for Brickmasons and blockmasons?
The role is projected to grow 3% over the next decade (about as fast as average). Current US employment is approximately 74,100 workers.
How do I become brickmasons and blockmasons?
The typical entry education is a High school diploma or equivalent. Building a foundation in the top skills below will strengthen your application.
What skills does Brickmasons and blockmasons need?
The most in-demand skills for this role include Coordination, Critical Thinking, Monitoring, Quality Control Analysis, Active Listening, Time Management. These are the skills O*NET identifies as most important for competent performance.
Will AI replace Brickmasons and blockmasons?
Our AI-durability model gives Brickmasons and blockmasons a score of 0.44 on a 0-1 scale (higher = more exposure). That places it at moderate AI exposure — some tasks are being automated but the role adapts. Learning to work with AI tools rather than against them is the path forward.
How hard is it to enter this field?
Brickmasons and blockmasons has low barrier to entry — generally accessible — you can enter with basic credentials and on-the-job learning.