Careers

Concrete & Masonry

Concrete work, bricklaying, and stone construction

$57k/yr median+1.8% growth (10-yr)14,300 openings/yrFast entry (<1 yr)CSI 03

Wages & Job Outlook

$57k

Median wage

per year

$39k

Entry wage

per year

$85k

Top 10%

per year

14K

Annual openings

jobs per year

+1.8% projected job growth over 10 years — slower than average.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2024) and Occupational Outlook Handbook 2024–34 projections.

Work-Life & Stability

Environment

outdoor

Overtime

seasonal

Physical demand

very-high

Travel

Travel typically required

Hazard level

High hazard

Cyclical (economy-sensitive)

Overview

Concrete and masonry workers pour and finish concrete, lay brick and block, and construct stone structures. The trade spans residential flatwork to commercial foundations and decorative masonry.

Day in the Life

Early morning pours before heat sets in. Mix design review with batch plant. Finish crew follows the pour with floats and trowels. Block layers work from blueprints building walls course by course. Estimating and material orders in the evening.

How to Get Started

Registered Apprenticeship

apprenticeship

BAC (Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers) 3-year apprenticeship program

Duration: 3 yearsCost: Low / minimal tuition

On-the-Job Training

on-the-job

Most concrete finishers learn on the job starting as laborers

Duration: 2–4 yearsCost: Low / minimal tuition

Trade School / Vocational Program

trade-school

Masonry technology programs at vocational schools

Duration: 6–12 monthsCost: Moderate tuition

Find local concrete & masonry training near you

Programs, apprenticeship openings, and American Job Centers

Find training →

How to Pay for Your Training

Multiple funding programs can offset or eliminate the cost of training. Here are the most commonly applicable ones.

WIOA Individual Training Account (ITA)

Federally funded training voucher for eligible adults and dislocated workers. ITAs pay for approved programs at WIOA-eligible providers (ETPs). Amounts set by local Workforce Development Boards — typically $3,000–$12,000 per year depending on workforce area. Apply at your nearest American Job Center (CareerOneStop).

Up to $12,000

Apply →

Federal Pell Grant

Need-based federal grant up to $7,395/year for eligible students at accredited colleges and trade schools. Does not need to be repaid. Eligible programs include accredited community colleges, for-profit trade schools (UTI, Lincoln, etc.), and union training centers that are accredited institutions.

Up to $7,395

Apply →

Workforce Pell Grant (SAVES Act)

Starting July 1, 2026, Pell Grant eligibility expands to high-quality short-term workforce programs (8–15 weeks) at eligible institutions. For the first time, trade training programs under 600 hours are Pell-eligible — including many HVAC, electrical, and welding certificates. Students earn the same need-based amount as longer programs.

Up to $7,395

Apply →

GI Bill (Post-9/11, Chapter 33) — Apprenticeship

Post-9/11 GI Bill covers On-the-Job Training (OJT) and Registered Apprenticeship programs. Veterans receive a monthly housing allowance (MHA, based on E-5 w/dependents BAH at program location) that scales up as they advance through the apprenticeship. Covers full 3–5 year apprenticeship programs.

Up to $3,200

Apply →

See all programs you may qualify for →

Job & Training Resources

Best Places to Find Construction Jobs With No Experience →Best Construction Job Sites →Best Construction Staffing Agencies →Best Sites for Traveling Construction Jobs →

Build Your Future (NCCER)

NCCER's career-exploration hub for the construction trades — explore craft careers, pay, and training pathways, and find NCCER-accredited programs.

Tradesmen International

A national construction staffing firm that places skilled craft workers with contractors — including travel and per-diem industrial work.

Job Corps

A free U.S. Department of Labor residential program for ages 16–24 offering hands-on construction trades training, housing, and job placement.

Browse all job & training resources →

Career Ladder

Masonry Laborer

$34k/yr

0–1 yrs exp.

Mixes mortar, moves materials, assists masons

Masonry Apprentice

$42k/yr

1–3 yrs exp.

Learning layout, mixing, and placement techniques

Journey Mason

$58k/yr

3–8 yrs exp.

Works independently on brick, block, and concrete projects

Master Mason

$72k/yr

8+ yrs exp.

Handles complex decorative and structural masonry

Masonry Contractor

$88k/yr

8+ yrs exp.

Owns masonry contracting business

Licensing by State

State	Required?	License type	Issuing body
AZ	Yes	CR-9 Concrete / CR-31 Masonry (dual residential+commercial; also split C-9/R-9, etc.)	Arizona Registrar of Contractors (ROC)
CA	Yes	C-8 Concrete Contractor / C-29 Masonry Contractor	CSLB (Contractors State License Board)
FL	Yes	Certified Specialty Contractor — Structural Masonry (5-AM) / Structural Pre-stressed Precast Concrete (5-AN)	Florida DBPR / CILB (Construction Industry Licensing Board)
GA	No	–	–
IL	No	–	–
MI	Yes	Maintenance & Alteration Contractor license (Concrete / Masonry classifications)	Michigan LARA — Bureau of Construction Codes
NC	Yes	General Contractor license — S(Concrete Construction) / S(Masonry Construction) specialty classification	NCLBGC (NC Licensing Board for General Contractors)
NJ	Yes	Home Improvement Contractor (HIC) Registration	NJ Division of Consumer Affairs (Office of Consumer Protection)
NY	No	–	–
OH	No	–	–
PA	Yes	Home Improvement Contractor (HIC) Registration	PA Office of Attorney General (HICPA)
TN	Yes	Contractor license — BC-9 Masonry (and concrete under Building/Industrial classifications)	Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors (TBLC)
TX	No	–	–
VA	Yes	Contractor license (Class A/B/C) with Masonry (BRK) specialty / CIC-CBC for concrete	Virginia DPOR — Board for Contractors
WA	Yes	Registered Contractor — General or Specialty (Masonry/Concrete)	Washington State Dept. of Labor & Industries (L&I)

Time to Enter

Time to journeyman3 yrs

Fast-entry trade — earning wages in <1 year possible

Wages (BLS 2024)

Entry (10th pct)$39k

Median$57k

Top 10%$85k

BLS OEWS May 2024. Wages vary by state and employer.

Compare all trades side-by-side →Find training funding →

Own a concrete & masonry business?

Verified · 3 sources

What it's worth today — the starting point for weighing any exit.

First Page Sage

PE / strategic buyer

5.7×–8.2×

× EBITDA

Peak Business Valuation

Appraisal / small business

1.69×–3.03×

× SDE

The two lenses differ on purpose: PE / strategic buyers pay a multiple of EBITDA (management-run, platform-scale), while an appraisal / small-business value is a multiple of SDE (owner-operated). Most trades land between the two.

Full valuation breakdown →Explore exit paths →