National
| Median wages (2008) |
$21.94 hourly, $45,630 annual |
| Employment (2006) |
158,000 employees |
| Projected growth (2006-2016) |
Average (7% to 13%)
|
| Projected need (2006-2016) |
48,000 additional employees |
47-2021.00 - 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.
Sample of reported job titles:
Bricklayer, Brick Mason, Mason, Brick and Block Mason
Tasks
- 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.
- Measure distance from reference points and mark guidelines to lay out work, using plumb bobs and levels.
- Calculate angles and courses and determine vertical and horizontal alignment of courses.
- Fasten or fuse brick or other building material to structure with wire clamps, anchor holes, torch, or cement.
- Break or cut bricks, tiles, or blocks to size, using trowel edge, hammer, or power saw.
- Remove excess mortar with trowels and hand tools, and finish mortar joints with jointing tools, for a sealed, uniform appearance.
- Interpret blueprints and drawings to determine specifications and to calculate the materials required.
- Apply and smooth mortar or other mixture over work surface.
- 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.
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Tools & Technology
Tools used in this occupation:
| Blocks or pulleys — Block and tackle equipment; Chain blocks; Rope and pulley systems |
| Hammers — Claw hammers; Sledgehammers; Striking tools; Tile hammers |
| Jacks — Hydraulic jacks; Screw jacks |
| Plaster or mortar mixers — Cement mixers; Mixing drills; Mortar mixers |
| Power saws — Circular saws; Jig saws; Masonry saws |
| Trowels — Concave jointers; Pointing trowels; Power trowels; Sled runner jointers |
| Welders — Arc welders; Welding machines |
Technology used in this occupation:
| Accounting software — Intuit QuickBooks |
| Analytical or scientific software — Construction Management Software ProEst |
| Project management software — BVH Gregg Concrete; Daystar Masonry; RISA Technologies RISAMasonry; Tradesman's Software Master Estimator |
