Mason: career path and pay in the US
Where a Mason goes next, what each step typically pays in the United States, and how exposed the path is to AI replacement. 4 steps, from Mason / Apprentice Mason to Masonry Contractor / Business Owner.
Also for the United Kingdom: Mason in the UK
The path
Step 1 · 0 to 2 years
Mason / Apprentice Mason
$45K to $65K
Typical US pay for this job title, retrieved September 2026.
What this step adds
Credentials that help: Apprenticeship Program (in progress) - US/UK/EU, Health & Safety Certification (required) - Global.
Step 2 · 2 to 5 years
Mason / Journeyman Mason
$50K to $80K
Typical US pay for this job title, retrieved September 2026.
What this step adds
Credentials that help: Masonry Certification (optional) - Global, NVQ Level 3 Bricklaying - UK/EU, Health & Safety Certification - Global.
Step 3 · 5 to 10 years
Master Mason / Masonry Supervisor
$60K to $90K
Typical US pay for this job title, retrieved September 2026.
What this step adds
Credentials that help: Masonry Certification - Global, NVQ Level 4 Bricklaying - UK/EU, Health & Safety Certification - Global, Supervisory Skills Certification (optional) - Global.
Step 4 · 10+ years
Masonry Contractor / Business Owner
$105K to $155K
Typical US pay for this job title, retrieved September 2026.
What this step adds
Credentials that help: Masonry Certification - Global, NVQ Level 4 Bricklaying - UK/EU, Health & Safety Certification - Global, Business License - Global.
Exposure and pay along the path
Exposure to AI, now to later
24% → 24%
Stays level across the path. Lower is better.
Typical pay, now to later
$45K to $65K → $105K to $155K
US estimates by job title, Glassdoor, Indeed and PayScale US. Indeed publishes a hourly average for Mason ($26.27); this band converts it at 40 hours a week. Indeed publishes a hourly average for Mason ($26.27); this band converts it at 40 hours a week.
What the work involves
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.
Skills that matter most
- Critical Thinking
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Monitoring
- Mathematics
- Active Learning
Knowledge areas
- Building and Construction
- Mathematics
- English Language
- Public Safety and Security
- Production and Processing
- Design
Education people bring
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED): 70%
- Less than a High School Diploma: 14%
- Some College Courses: 13%
Job Zone 2, job Zone 1-2: Very Little to Some Preparation Needed. Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
Other paths from here
More Skilled Trades paths in the US
Related occupations in O*NET: Helpers--Brickmasons, Blockmasons, Stonemasons, and Tile and Marble Setters, Refractory Materials Repairers, Except Brickmasons, Stonemasons, Tile and Stone Setters, Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers.
Your own role
How exposed is your job, task by task? Free score in under a minute.
SourcesSalary bands: Glassdoor, Indeed and PayScale US, US national averages by job title, retrieved September 2026Skills, knowledge and education: O*NET 31.0 Database
This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CC BY 4.0
Salary estimates by job title from Glassdoor, Indeed and PayScale, retrieved September 2026. Each band runs from 20% below to 20% above the reported average, rounded to $5K. Exposure percentages and the skills listed under each step are this app's own editorial ratings, not published data.