What it pays
Government survey numbers — not estimates, not ads.
Half of all Brickmasons and Blockmasons in the U.S. earn more than $62,120 a year — the middle 80% land between $44,820 and $100,010. About 52,550 people in the U.S. do this work. Figures are for the U.S. occupation group “Brickmasons and Blockmasons”. (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics survey, published 2025.) In India, Craft and related trades workers earn about ₹16,825 a month on average — around ₹2.0 lakh a year (government PLFS survey via ILOSTAT, occupation-family figure).
$62,120typical pay / year
52,550people in this work
$100,010+top 10% earn
₹2.0 lakha year in India (family avg)
Think you get this job?Six quick questions on how it really works — with a hint and the reason behind every answer.
Test yourself →The work, task by task
These are the real jobs-to-be-done, not a wish list. Each task shows where we found it, and the prompt underneath is written for that exact task.
Make2
Apply mortar between bricks
+Apply mortar evenly to bed and head joints for the new courtyard wall at 12 Moor Lane today, fill joints…
Apply mortar between bricks
+Apply mortar evenly to bed and head joints for the new courtyard wall at 12 Moor Lane today, fill joints completely to a 10mm finish, remove excess, and keep mortar mixed to glueable consistency so inspection passes tomorrow morning.
The tools that do the workTradesman's Software Master Estimatorjob descriptionsO*NETWikipedia
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Construct brick walls and structures
+Build the garden retaining wall on Plot B to the architect's 3D plan, set first course level and plumb, bond…
Construct brick walls and structures
+Build the garden retaining wall on Plot B to the architect's 3D plan, set first course level and plumb, bond stretcher and header pattern through each lift, tack ties where specified, and protect completed sections from rain overnight.
The tools that do the workRISA Technologies RISA-3Djob descriptionsO*NETWikipedia
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Protecting1
Inspect brickwork for quality and stability
+Inspect the new perimeter wall at Unit 7 for loose bricks, hairline cracks, mortar voids and plumbness,…
Inspect brickwork for quality and stability
+Inspect the new perimeter wall at Unit 7 for loose bricks, hairline cracks, mortar voids and plumbness, document any defects with photos, mark areas needing repointing, and email the condition report to site foreman before 3pm.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft OfficeO*NETWikipedia
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Fixing2
Break or cut bricks or blocks to size
+Cut and shape the bricks for the corner pier using the circular brick saw, dry-fit each unit to check bond,…
Break or cut bricks or blocks to size
+Cut and shape the bricks for the corner pier using the circular brick saw, dry-fit each unit to check bond, dress cut faces smooth, dispose of waste safely, and record counts of offcuts and usable pieces for stock control.
The tools that do the workEstimatingjob descriptionsO*NET
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Lay out patterns or foundations using a straightedge
+Set out the foundation line for the garden wall with a taut string and straightedge to match the site plan,…
Lay out patterns or foundations using a straightedge
+Set out the foundation line for the garden wall with a taut string and straightedge to match the site plan, snap chalk lines at the batter points, transfer corner levels to pegs, and check diagonals for square before excavation starts Monday.
The tools that do the workDaystar iStructural.comjob descriptionsO*NET
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The daily work16
Calculate angles and courses and determine vertical and horizontal alignment of courses.
+Work out angles and course layout for the north wall from the foundation up to the lintel, calculate rise and…
Calculate angles and courses and determine vertical and horizontal alignment of courses.
+Work out angles and course layout for the north wall from the foundation up to the lintel, calculate rise and run for each course, and mark vertical and horizontal alignment points on the plans and site strings before cutting stocks tomorrow.
The tools that do the workRISA Technologies RISA-3DO*NET
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Fasten or fuse brick or other building material to structure with wire clamps, anchor holes, torch, or cement.
+Attach wire ties and anchors to the east elevation as shown on the drawing, set clamp and torch fixings where…
Fasten or fuse brick or other building material to structure with wire clamps, anchor holes, torch, or cement.
+Attach wire ties and anchors to the east elevation as shown on the drawing, set clamp and torch fixings where bricks meet steel, and record each anchor location and type on the site sheet for the foreman by end of shift.
The tools that do the workTradesman's Software Master EstimatorO*NET
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Read blueprints or drawings to calculate materials needed
+Read the ground-floor and first-floor drawings, itemise brick and mortar quantities by elevation and opening,…
Read blueprints or drawings to calculate materials needed
+Read the ground-floor and first-floor drawings, itemise brick and mortar quantities by elevation and opening, total waste allowance, and produce a materials list for tomorrow's supplier quote.
The tools that do the workCPR Visual Estimatorjob descriptions
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Ensure structure is perfectly vertical and horizontal
+Check every bay with the spirit level and plumb line, correct any out-of-plumb courses with packers or…
Ensure structure is perfectly vertical and horizontal
+Check every bay with the spirit level and plumb line, correct any out-of-plumb courses with packers or rework, and stamp the aligned elevations on the site log after the noon inspection.
The tools that do the workDaystar iStructural.comjob descriptions
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Clean and polish surfaces with hand or power tools
+Grind, wire-brush and wipe the face of the masonry, then buff the brickwork to a consistent finish across the…
Clean and polish surfaces with hand or power tools
+Grind, wire-brush and wipe the face of the masonry, then buff the brickwork to a consistent finish across the south facade and note any chips needing replacement before final sign-off Friday.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft Officejob descriptions
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Mix mortar for bonding bricks
+Batch mortar in the mixer to the spec on the drawings, test slump and bonding, record mix ratios and batch…
Mix mortar for bonding bricks
+Batch mortar in the mixer to the spec on the drawings, test slump and bonding, record mix ratios and batch numbers on the site log, and flag any substandard batches to procurement immediately.
The tools that do the workConstruction Management Software ProEstWikipedia
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Answer requests for quotation
+Reply to Darren at Southside Developments with a firm quotation for 3,200 facing bricks and 120 mortar bags,…
Answer requests for quotation
+Reply to Darren at Southside Developments with a firm quotation for 3,200 facing bricks and 120 mortar bags, price per unit and total, include two-week lead time, 30-day payment terms, and ask if they want delivery on Friday the 8th.
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Inspect construction supplies
+Walk the supplier pallet yard, inspect the 500 new bricks and 100 bags of cement against the purchase order,…
Inspect construction supplies
+Walk the supplier pallet yard, inspect the 500 new bricks and 100 bags of cement against the purchase order, report any cracked units or torn sacks with photos and accept or reject stock for the project starting Monday.
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Monitor stock level
+Check current yard counts and recent receipts, update the stock list to show 2,800 bricks, 40 pallets of…
Monitor stock level
+Check current yard counts and recent receipts, update the stock list to show 2,800 bricks, 40 pallets of sand, and 60 mortar bags, flag below-par items for reorder so we don't run out before the Wall B schedule on Tuesday.
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Interpret 3D plans
+Review the 3D site model and confirm the stretcher bond layout on the north elevation, measure wall lengths…
Interpret 3D plans
+Review the 3D site model and confirm the stretcher bond layout on the north elevation, measure wall lengths and corner returns against the plan so I can order the correct soldier course bricks for the Thursday lay.
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Use safety equipment in construction
+Run a PPE and tool check for the team before we start the east retaining wall: helmets, gloves, harnesses for…
Use safety equipment in construction
+Run a PPE and tool check for the team before we start the east retaining wall: helmets, gloves, harnesses for the high work, scaffold ties in place, and brief everyone on the lift plan and emergency rendezvous point.
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Work in a construction team
+Coordinate with Tom the foreman and Jess the site planner to schedule four labourers and two bricklayers for…
Work in a construction team
+Coordinate with Tom the foreman and Jess the site planner to schedule four labourers and two bricklayers for the south wing next week, confirm bricks and mortar booked, and set a daily check-in at 7:20am.
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Advise on construction materials
+Recommend specific mortar mix, brick types, and waterproofer for the east boundary wall at 12 Redfern Street…
Advise on construction materials
+Recommend specific mortar mix, brick types, and waterproofer for the east boundary wall at 12 Redfern Street to meet freeze-thaw and council spec, list suppliers with lead times, and flag cost or stock risks before I order.
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Supervise staff
+Schedule the crew for next week’s cavity wall build at 12 Redfern Street, assign tasks to Sam, Maria and…
Supervise staff
+Schedule the crew for next week’s cavity wall build at 12 Redfern Street, assign tasks to Sam, Maria and Jorge, set start and finish targets, note critical inspections and call out overtime risk if weather delays arrive.
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Follow health and safety procedures in construction
+Walk me through the safety plan for the 12 Redfern Street job: list PPE checks, scaffold and lift…
Follow health and safety procedures in construction
+Walk me through the safety plan for the 12 Redfern Street job: list PPE checks, scaffold and lift inspections, hot-work controls, emergency contact names and the daily toolbox talk script I must use before work each morning.
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Estimating
+Update the project's estimating with measured wall lengths, block counts, labour hours, and material…
Estimating
+Update the project's estimating with measured wall lengths, block counts, labour hours, and material allowances for the east retaining wall job, include the supplier quotes and markups, then save and export the bid for Sam Reynolds by Friday.
The tools that do the workConstruction Management Software ProEstO*NET
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Says who?
These are the pages we read to build this. Open any of them and check us.
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Built on public evidence: O*NET®, ESCO, Wikipedia, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, ILOSTAT. All sources & licenses
Built on public evidence: O*NET®, ESCO, Wikipedia, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, ILOSTAT. All sources & licenses