Occupation Details
Brickmasons and Blockmasons
Lay and bind building materials, such as brick, structural tile, concrete block, cinder block, glass block, and terra-cotta block, with mortar and other substances, to construct or repair walls, partitions, arches, sewers, and other structures.
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Interests
Realistic
Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.
Investigative
Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.
Conventional
Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.
Work Values
Working Conditions
Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions.
Support
Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical.
Independence
Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.
Salary & Job Outlook
Starting Salary
$49,290.00
New York StateMedian Salary
$77,510.00
New York StateExperienced Salary
$95,090.00
New York StateNational Average for Comparison
New York State Job Market Outlook
Jobs Right Now (2018)
5,800
professionals in NYFuture Job Growth (2030)
6,410
+61 jobs/yearNew Jobs Every Year
631
new opportunities yearlyGrowth Rate
0.1%
projected increasePreparation: Experience, Training, and Education
The list below outlines the prior educational experience required to perform in this occupation.
Some Training - Certificate or hands-on training
Experience Requirements
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is usually needed. For example, a teller would benefit from experience working directly with the public.
Education Requirements
These occupations usually require a high school diploma.
Training Details
Employees in these occupations need anywhere from a few months to one year of working with experienced employees. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
Transferrable Skills and Experience
These occupations often involve using your knowledge and skills to help others. Examples include orderlies, counter and rental clerks, customer service representatives, security guards, upholsterers, tellers, and dental laboratory technicians.
School Programs
The following lists school programs which are applicable to this occupation.
Licensing & Certification
State License and Certifications Requirements are not currently associated with this occupation.
Apprenticeship
Contact your regional representative to learn more about apprenticeships available in your area by visiting Apprenticeship Contacts.
Skills
The list below includes the skills required by workers in this occupation; skills are what allow you to learn more quickly and improve your performance.
Critical Thinking
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
Coordination
Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
Active Listening
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Monitoring
Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Quality Control Analysis
Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
Mathematics
Using mathematics to solve problems.
Skill level is measured on a seven point scale, where one means 'some competence required for this occupation' and seven means 'a high level of expertise required for this occupation'.
Knowledge
The list below includes knowledge items, the principles and facts required by this occupation.
Building and Construction
Knowledge of materials, methods, and the tools involved in the construction or repair of houses, buildings, or other structures such as highways and roads.
Mathematics
Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
Public Safety and Security
Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.
Production and Processing
Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
Design
Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
Administration and Management
Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
Mechanical
Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
Knowledge level is measured on a seven point scale, where one means 'some competence required for this occupation' and seven means 'a high level of expertise required for this occupation'.
Work Environment
The list below includes the physical and social factors that influence the nature of work in this occupation.
Hover over or tap each factor to see its description.
Work Styles
Included in the list below are the personal work style characteristics that can affect how well a worker is likely to perform in this occupation.
Achievement/Effort
Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks.
Attention to Detail
Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
Concern for Others
Job requires being sensitive to others' needs and feelings and being understanding and helpful on the job.
Cooperation
Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
Dependability
Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
Independence
Job requires developing one's own ways of doing things, guiding oneself with little or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done.
Initiative
Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
Integrity
Job requires being honest and ethical.
Leadership
Job requires a willingness to lead, take charge, and offer opinions and direction.
Persistence
Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles.
Tools & Technology
This list below describes the machines, equipment, tools, software, and information technology that workers in this occupation will use.
Tools
- Adhesive trowels
- Adjustable widemouth pliers
- Adjustable wrenches
- Air compressors
- Angle grinders
- Block and tackle equipment
- Bolt cutters
- Bosun chairs
- Bracing equipment
- Brick bolsters
- Brick hammers
- Brick jointers
- Brick sets
- Brick spacing rulers
- Brick tongs
- Bush hammers
- C clamps
- Carpenters' hammers
- Caulking guns
- Cement mixers
- Chain blocks
- Chalk lines
- Circular saws
- Claw hammers
- Compasses
- Concave jointers
- Concrete vibrators
- Crowbars
- Cutting torches
- Desktop computers
Technology
- CPR Visual Estimator
- Construction Management Software ProEst
- Estimating software
- Intuit QuickBooks
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft Windows
- RISA Technologies RISA-3D
Duties
Duties are job behaviors describing activities that occur on multiple jobs. The generalized and detailed work activities described in the list below apply to this occupation.
- lay out masonry work
- use hand or power tools
- use measuring devices in construction or extraction work
- use acetylene welding/cutting torch
- weld together metal parts, components, or structures
- use arc welding equipment
- measure tile or masonry materials
- verify levelness or verticality, using level or plumb bob
- compute production, construction, or installation specifications
- determine material or tool requirements
- adhere to safety procedures
- perform safety inspections in construction or resource extraction setting
- plan or organize work
- select masonry material to be installed according to specifications
- apply cleaning solvents
- apply adhesives, caulking, sealants, or coatings
- climb ladders, scaffolding, or utility or telephone poles
- build or repair structures in construction, repair, or manufacturing setting
- erect scaffold
- lay or install brick, block, stone, tile, or related masonry material
- move or fit heavy objects
- prepare site or surfaces for concrete or masonry work
- apply plaster, stucco or related material
- repair or replace damaged bricks, tile, or related masonry
- build or repair masonry structures, including kilns or furnaces
- cut or shape stone, tile, brick, or related material
- mix mortar, grout, slurry, concrete, or related masonry material
- distinguish colors
- understand construction specifications
- read blueprints
- read tape measure
- read technical drawings
- inspect premises or structure for evidence of deterioration or damage
- apply grouting or other masonry adhesives
- mix paint, ingredients, or chemicals, according to specifications
- fabricate, assemble, or disassemble manufactured products by hand
Tasks
The list below outlines specific tasks that a worker in this occupation is called upon to do regularly.
- Measure distance from reference points and mark guidelines to lay out work, using plumb bobs and levels.
- Construct corners by fastening in plumb position a corner pole or building a corner pyramid of bricks, and filling in between the corners using a line from corner to corner to guide each course, or layer, of brick.
- Apply and smooth mortar or other mixture over work surface.
- Calculate angles and courses and determine vertical and horizontal alignment of courses.
- Break or cut bricks, tiles, or blocks to size, using trowel edge, hammer, or power saw.
- Interpret blueprints and drawings to determine specifications and to calculate the materials required.
- Remove excess mortar with trowels and hand tools, and finish mortar joints with jointing tools, for a sealed, uniform appearance.
- Fasten or fuse brick or other building material to structure with wire clamps, anchor holes, torch, or cement.
- Clean working surface to remove scale, dust, soot, or chips of brick and mortar, using broom, wire brush, or scraper.
- Mix specified amounts of sand, clay, dirt, or mortar powder with water to form refractory mixtures.
- Examine brickwork or structure to determine need for repair.
- Lay and align bricks, blocks, or tiles to build or repair structures or high temperature equipment, such as cupola, kilns, ovens, or furnaces.
- Remove burned or damaged brick or mortar, using sledgehammer, crowbar, chipping gun, or chisel.
- Spray or spread refractory material over brickwork to protect against deterioration.
Learning Resources
More information on this occupation may be found in the links provided below.
Brickmasons, blockmasons, and stonemasons
Visit this link for additional information on this career from the Occupational Outlook Handbook; a publication produced and maintained by the United States Department of Labor.
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