Career comparison
Brickmason vs. Construction Laborer
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. $47,120), while construction laborers usually get to work faster (Days to weeks (on the job) of training). Brickmasons build durable walls, chimneys and structures from brick, block and stone. Construction laborers prepare sites, move materials, pour concrete and support every trade on the job.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Brickmason | Construction Laborer | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $62,120 ($29.87/hr) | $47,120 ($22.66/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $44,820 – $100,010 | $35,090 – $78,090 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | +1.1% (slower than average) | +7.3% (much faster than average) |
| Openings per year | 4,100 | 120,000 |
| Typical entry education | High school diploma or equivalent | No formal educational credential |
| Training time | 3–4 years (apprenticeship) | Days to weeks (on the job) |
| Key credential | Apprenticeship completion | OSHA 10-Hour Construction |
| Work setting | Masons work outdoors on residential, commercial and institutional construction, often on scaffolds. | Laborers work outdoors in all kinds of weather on construction sites, roadways and demolition projects. |
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
Construction Laborer
- Prepare and clean job sites, removing debris and hazards
- Load, unload and move building materials
- Dig, backfill and compact trenches and foundations
- Mix, pour and spread concrete and asphalt
- Erect and dismantle scaffolding, barricades and forms
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 construction laborer if…
- I like physical work and staying active all day
- I don’t mind getting dirty or working in bad weather
- I want to start working right away
Still torn? Take the Brickmason fit quiz and the Construction Laborer fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, brickmason or construction laborer?
Brickmasons earn more at the median: $62,120 versus $47,120 for construction laborers, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Construction Laborers typically train faster (Days to weeks (on the job)) than brickmasons (3–4 years (apprenticeship)).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects construction laborers to grow +7.3% from 2025–35, compared with +1.1% for brickmasons.