Hiring guide · Skilled Trades & Construction
How to Hire a Brickmason
Pay benchmarks, qualifications, sourcing, screening and interview questions for hiring brickmasons, plus a plan to get them productive fast.
Write a clear job description, offer competitive pay (the national median is $62,120), recruit through registered apprenticeship programs and union halls, verify Apprenticeship completion where applicable, run a structured interview with a practical skills check, and onboard with a 30-60-90 day plan.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
The hiring market for brickmasons
There are about 62,400 brickmasons employed in the U.S., with roughly 4,100 openings each year. Employment is projected to change +1.1% from 2025–35 (slower than average). Most openings come from replacing workers who retire or change careers, so a steady pipeline matters.
Pay benchmarks for offers
| Candidate level | Annual | Hourly* |
|---|---|---|
| Entry level (10th–25th percentile) | $44,820–$51,110 | $21.55–$24.57 |
| Typical / mid-career (median) | $62,120 | $29.87 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $79,350 | $38.15 |
| Top of market (90th percentile) | $100,010 | $48.08 |
*Annual ÷ 2,080 hours except median. National BLS data; adjust for your state and metro area. Many states and cities now require pay ranges in job postings.
What to look for
Must-haves
- High school diploma or equivalent (typical entry level)
- Laying brick and block
- Patience and precision
Nice-to-haves
- Apprenticeship completion
- OSHA 10 or 30-Hour Construction
- Scaffold user or competent person training
- Experience with trowels, jointers and brushes
Where to find brickmasons
- Registered apprenticeship programs and union halls
- Trade and technical school placement offices
- Pre-apprenticeship and veterans programs
- Referrals from current crew members
- Job postings that use common alternate titles: Bricklayer, Blockmason, Mason, Masonry Worker
Screening checklist
- Verify state licenses (apprentice registration, journeyworker, master) where required
- OSHA 10 or OSHA 30 cards and prior safety record
- Valid driver’s license and driving record if operating company vehicles
- A practical skills test or supervised trial task
Follow federal, state and local rules on background checks, drug testing and fair-chance hiring, and apply screening consistently to all candidates for the role.
Interview questions to ask
Ask every candidate the same questions and score answers on a structured scorecard.
1. “What types of masonry work have you done?”
What a strong answer includes: Describe brick, block, stone and restoration experience.
2. “How do you keep a wall plumb and level?”
What a strong answer includes: Mention leads, lines, levels and story poles.
3. “How do you control silica dust?”
What a strong answer includes: Describe wet saws, vacuums and respirators.
4. “How do you handle cold weather masonry?”
What a strong answer includes: Mention protecting mortar and covering work.
5. “Why masonry?”
What a strong answer includes: Show pride in craftsmanship and long-term commitment.
Practical skills checks
A short demonstration beats a perfect resume. Ask candidates to talk you through, or perform under supervision, tasks such as:
- Lay a Course of Brick to the Line (see the steps)
- Mix Mortar to the Right Consistency (see the steps)
- Install Flashing and Weeps in Brick Veneer (see the steps)
Red flags
- Can’t describe basic safety practices for the role
- Vague or inconsistent work history with no explanation
- Unfamiliar with core terms such as Course, Bed joint, Head joint
- Negative talk about every past employer or coworker
Onboard for retention
The first 90 days decide whether a new hire stays. Use our Brickmason 30-60-90 day onboarding plan and give every new hire the same foundation with Brickmason training. Show them the path forward: Mason Tender or Helper → Apprentice Brickmason → Journeyworker Mason or Restoration Specialist → Foreman or Masonry Contractor.
Hiring brickmasons: FAQ
How much should I pay a brickmason?
The U.S. median wage for brickmasons is $62,120 per year ($29.87/hour), according to BLS May 2025 data. Entry-level offers often fall near the 25th percentile ($51,110), while experienced hires command closer to the 75th percentile ($79,350). Adjust for your local market.
What qualifications should a brickmason have?
BLS lists “high school diploma or equivalent” as the typical entry-level education. Look for Apprenticeship completion and OSHA 10 or 30-Hour Construction where relevant, plus skills such as laying brick and block, mortar mixing, and reading plans and layout.
How long does it take to train a new brickmason?
Becoming qualified typically takes 3–4 years (apprenticeship). After hire, plan for a structured 30-60-90 day onboarding period; BLS classifies on-the-job training for this occupation as “apprenticeship.”