Career comparison
Brickmason vs. Carpenter
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Brickmasons earn more at the median ($62,120 vs. $60,580), while carpenters usually get to work faster (3–4 years (apprenticeship) of training). Brickmasons build durable walls, chimneys and structures from brick, block and stone. Carpenters build and repair frameworks, structures and finish work from wood and other materials.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Brickmason | Carpenter | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $62,120 ($29.87/hr) | $60,580 ($29.12/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $44,820 – $100,010 | $40,410 – $99,910 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | +1.1% (slower than average) | +3.9% (about as fast as average) |
| Openings per year | 4,100 | 62,800 |
| Typical entry education | High school diploma or equivalent | High school diploma or equivalent |
| Training time | 3–4 years (apprenticeship) | 3–4 years (apprenticeship) |
| Key credential | Apprenticeship completion | Journeyman carpenter (apprenticeship completion) |
| Work setting | Masons work outdoors on residential, commercial and institutional construction, often on scaffolds. | Carpenters work on construction sites outdoors and indoors in all weather. |
What each job does
Brickmason
- Read blueprints and lay out walls
- Mix mortar to the right consistency
- Build leads and set string lines
- Lay brick and block in level, plumb courses
- Install wall ties, flashing, weep holes and reinforcement
Carpenter
- Read blueprints and building plans
- Measure, cut and shape wood, plastic and other materials
- Frame walls, floors, roofs and stairs
- Install doors, windows, cabinets, trim and molding
- Build and remove concrete forms and scaffolding
How they’re similar
Both careers involve hands-on work, physical work, working outdoors, and teamwork. Both are part of the skilled trades & construction field, so many skills transfer between them.
Which should you choose?
Choose brickmason if…
- I like building things that last
- I’m comfortable with heavy physical work
- I take pride in neat, precise results
Choose carpenter if…
- I enjoy building things and seeing the results
- I’m good with measurements and spatial thinking
- I don’t mind working outdoors in different weather
Still torn? Take the Brickmason fit quiz and the Carpenter fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, brickmason or carpenter?
Brickmasons earn more at the median: $62,120 versus $60,580 for carpenters, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Carpenters typically train faster (3–4 years (apprenticeship)) than brickmasons (3–4 years (apprenticeship)).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects carpenters to grow +3.9% from 2025–35, compared with +1.1% for brickmasons.