Construction & Extraction
Helpers--Brickmasons, Blockmasons, Stonemasons, and Tile and Marble Setters
Also called: Bricklayer Apprentice, Bricklayer Helper, Helper, Hod Carrier
US median pay
$47,550
per year, 2025
Job growth 2025–35
-11.7%
declining
Openings a year (US)
1,100
14,100 employed
Typical entry education
No formal educational credential
Preparation 2/5 · Some preparation
What this job is
Help brickmasons, blockmasons, stonemasons, or tile and marble setters by performing duties requiring less skill. Duties include using, supplying, or holding materials or tools, and cleaning work area and equipment.
What they do day to day
- Mix mortar, plaster, and grout, manually or using machines, according to standard formulas.
- Cut materials to specified sizes for installation, using power saws or tile cutters.
- Erect scaffolding or other installation structures.
- Locate and supply materials to masons for installation, following drawings or numbered sequences.
- Clean installation surfaces, equipment, tools, work sites, or storage areas, using water, chemical solutions, oxygen lances, or polishing machines.
- Apply grout between joints of bricks or tiles, using grouting trowels.
- Modify material moving, mixing, grouting, grinding, polishing, or cleaning procedures, according to installation or material requirements.
- Remove damaged tile, brick, or mortar, and clean or prepare surfaces, using pliers, hammers, chisels, drills, wire brushes, or metal wire anchors.
- Remove excess grout or residue from tile or brick joints, using sponges or trowels.
- Arrange or store materials, machines, tools, or equipment.
Skills and knowledge that matter most
Skills
- Time Management3.0/5
- Operation and Control3.0/5
- Coordination3.0/5
- Judgment and Decision Making2.9/5
- Troubleshooting2.8/5
- Social Perceptiveness2.8/5
- Operations Monitoring2.8/5
- Complex Problem Solving2.6/5
Knowledge
- Building and Construction4.2/5
- Mechanical3.2/5
- Design3.1/5
- Mathematics3.0/5
- English Language3.0/5
- Public Safety and Security2.7/5
Importance rated by people working in the job (1 = not important, 5 = extremely important).
Education and preparation
Preparation level 2 of 5 — Some preparation. Usually a high school diploma; some previous work experience or training helps.
Typical entry education (BLS): No formal educational credential.
Highest education of people in this job:
- High school diploma58%
- Less than high school24%
- Post-secondary certificate12%
Who this job suits
Mostly Realistic
Hands-on work with tools, machines, plants or animals
Conventional
Organising data, details and procedures
Based on the Holland (RIASEC) interest profile for this occupation.