Helpers--Brickmasons, Blockmasons, Stonemasons, and Tile and Marble Setters: Salary, Job Outlook & How to Become One (2026 Parent Guide)

Helpers--Brickmasons, Blockmasons, Stonemasons, and Tile and Marble Setters fall under the Construction and Extraction category in the U.S. occupational classification. Helpers--Brickmasons, Blockmasons, Stonemasons, and Tile and Marble Setters earn a median salary of $46,480 per year, ranking in the top 73% of all U.S. occupations. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects -10.5% job growth through 2034, projected to lose jobs through 2034. Entry into this field typically requires an apprenticeship, technical certification, or postsecondary training, with specific licensing or certification depending on the state and employer. For parents whose teenager is exploring this path, the most actionable step is mapping the education requirements to specific colleges and majors before junior year — not waiting until application season.

What do helpers--brickmasons, blockmasons, stonemasons, and tile and marble setters earn?

The median annual wage for helpers--brickmasons, blockmasons, stonemasons, and tile and marble setters is $46,480. That puts helpers--brickmasons, blockmasons, stonemasons, and tile and marble setters at #595 on the BLS ranked list of all U.S. occupations by median pay. This salary is around or below the U.S. median for individual workers, so career growth often depends on advancement into supervisory roles, specialization, or additional credentials. Actual pay varies meaningfully by state, employer type, and years of experience — entry-level salaries are typically 30–40% below the median, while top-decile earners often exceed it by 50% or more.

Is helpers--brickmasons, blockmasons, stonemasons, and tile and marble setters a growing career?

The 10-year outlook for helpers--brickmasons, blockmasons, stonemasons, and tile and marble setters is -10.5%, projected to lose jobs through 2034. Employment is projected to move from approximately 16K positions in 2024 to 14K in 2034, a net change of -2K. A declining outlook does not mean the field is disappearing; it means automation, demographics, or substitution effects are shrinking the pool of openings. Students entering a declining field should plan for adjacent skills that transfer to growing roles.

What do helpers--brickmasons, blockmasons, stonemasons, and tile and marble setters do every day?

According to O*NET task surveys of working helpers--brickmasons, blockmasons, stonemasons, and tile and marble setters, these are the core responsibilities most professionals perform. This is what your teen would actually be doing in this role.

1. 1.Mix mortar, plaster, and grout, manually or using machines, according to standard formulas.
2. 2.Transport materials, tools, or machines to installation sites, manually or using conveyance equipment.
3. 3.Move or position materials such as marble slabs, using cranes, hoists, or dollies.
4. 4.Correct surface imperfections or fill chipped, cracked, or broken bricks or tiles, using fillers, adhesives, or grouting materials.
5. 5.Erect scaffolding or other installation structures.
6. 6.Cut materials to specified sizes for installation, using power saws or tile cutters.
7. 7.Locate and supply materials to masons for installation, following drawings or numbered sequences.
8. 8.Clean installation surfaces, equipment, tools, work sites, or storage areas, using water, chemical solutions, oxygen lances, or polishing machines.

Top skills for helpers--brickmasons, blockmasons, stonemasons, and tile and marble setters

O*NET ranks these as the most important skills for this occupation, on a 1–5 importance scale derived from worker surveys.

What education does my child need to become helpers--brickmasons, blockmasons, stonemasons, and tile and marble setter?

Helpers--Brickmasons, Blockmasons, Stonemasons, and Tile and Marble Setters typically enter the field through a formal apprenticeship, technical certification, or vocational training program — a strong fit for teens who prefer hands-on learning over traditional college. For parents helping a teen prepare, the highest-leverage step before junior year is identifying colleges and programs that feed reliably into this occupation — Solyo's college search lets parents filter by major and admissions data side by side.

Related careers your child might also consider

• Elevator and Escalator Installers and Repairers
  $106,580 median
• First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers
  $78,690 median
• Roof Bolters, Mining
  $76,640 median
• Boilermakers
  $73,340 median
• Construction and Building Inspectors
  $72,120 median
• Pile Driver Operators
  $70,510 median

Common questions parents ask about helpers--brickmasons, blockmasons, stonemasons, and tile and marble setters