Career comparison
Brickmason vs. Ironworker
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Ironworkers earn more at the median ($62,780 vs. $62,120), while brickmasons usually get to work faster (3–4 years (apprenticeship) of training). Brickmasons build durable walls, chimneys and structures from brick, block and stone. Ironworkers raise the steel frames of buildings, bridges and towers, high above the ground.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Brickmason | Ironworker | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $62,120 ($29.87/hr) | $62,780 ($30.18/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $44,820 – $100,010 | $44,580 – $108,260 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | +1.1% (slower than average) | +3.1% (about as fast as average) |
| Openings per year | 4,100 | 5,900 |
| 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 | Apprenticeship completion |
| Work setting | Masons work outdoors on residential, commercial and institutional construction, often on scaffolds. | Ironworkers work outdoors at great heights on buildings, bridges and towers, in heat, cold and wind. |
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
Ironworker
- Read blueprints and erection drawings
- Signal cranes and rig steel members for lifting
- Guide beams and columns into position
- Bolt and weld connections
- Plumb and align steel frames
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 ironworker if…
- I’m comfortable working at great heights
- I like physical, high-energy work
- I trust and depend on my crew
Still torn? Take the Brickmason fit quiz and the Ironworker fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, brickmason or ironworker?
Ironworkers earn more at the median: $62,780 versus $62,120 for brickmasons, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Brickmasons typically train faster (3–4 years (apprenticeship)) than ironworkers (3–4 years (apprenticeship)).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects ironworkers to grow +3.1% from 2025–35, compared with +1.1% for brickmasons.