Career comparison
Brickmason vs. Mason Helper
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. $47,550), while mason helpers usually get to work faster (A few weeks on the job of training). Brickmasons build durable walls, chimneys and structures from brick, block and stone. Mason helpers mix mortar and supply bricklayers and stonemasons on the job.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Brickmason | Mason Helper | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $62,120 ($29.87/hr) | $47,550 ($22.86/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $44,820 – $100,010 | $36,230 – $70,080 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | +1.1% (slower than average) | -11.7% (a projected decline) |
| Openings per year | 4,100 | 1,100 |
| Typical entry education | High school diploma or equivalent | No formal educational credential |
| Training time | 3–4 years (apprenticeship) | A few weeks on the job |
| Key credential | Apprenticeship completion | Scaffold training |
| Work setting | Masons work outdoors on residential, commercial and institutional construction, often on scaffolds. | Helpers work outdoors on masonry jobs.. |
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
Mason Helper
- Mix mortar
- Carry brick and block
- Stock scaffolds
- Build scaffolds
- Clean walls
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 mason helper if…
- I want to learn masonry
- I’m strong
- I don’t mind weather
Still torn? Take the Brickmason fit quiz and the Mason Helper fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, brickmason or mason helper?
Brickmasons earn more at the median: $62,120 versus $47,550 for mason helpers, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Mason Helpers typically train faster (A few weeks on the job) than brickmasons (3–4 years (apprenticeship)).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects brickmasons to grow +1.1% from 2025–35, compared with -11.7% for mason helpers.