Question

Hotep

I’m 23 and still looking for a career field to commit to; masonry seems to be a job type that fits my personality more than the other’s I’m considering.

My main concern is the pay, I’ve read through the forums(which are an excellent source of information for people like myself), the consensus as far as compensation in the construction trades seems to be ”if you work hard and are truly skilled at what you do you will be successful.” Which is pretty much true across the board.

But I’d like to get a better idea of what the average pay for a hardworking, dedicated, and skilled mason is. Thanks in advance.

joasis

Pays better then McDonalds....if you have the drive, and can suffer with low pay while learning, it would be just like any other skilled trade with good rewards....it don't come easy.

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maj

As we all know here, the pay depends on where you live. And we don't know where you live!

In my area, true masonry is pretty much limited to commercial work. Residential masonry has sort of fallen by the wayside with the onslaught of cultured stone assuming most of that market. A true mason around here will be traveling alot, since the trade is pretty limited here.

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Brickie

In the Chicagoland & NW Indiana areas a good skilled Non- Union Mason earns over $20 per hour. A union mason earns over $30 an hour, however, that is mostly commercial work. Keep in mind that the unions are continuing to lose their market share with the influx of cheap illegal labor from Eastern Europe & Mexico.

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stacker

when i have worked for other companies either in okc or wichita,i have made on average 22.00 an hour.take home has varied from 845.00 a week to as high as 980.00
the last company i worked with had me on a job at an air force base in enid oklahoma,there i was paid prevailing wage of 26.90 an hour.but when that job was aver i went to work in okc for the same company where my per hour pay dropped to 16.00 but was paid 90.00 per deim,making my take home pay higher than when i made $26.90.

if you are just starting in this field,and have never laid a brick,dont expect top wages for 3-4 years.a first year mason will make about 70-80% of top pay.

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tkle

Here in Southern Cal it averages around $22.00/hr.Working at 29 Palms Marine base,I was making prevailing wage at $37 and change.Tenders were making $34.If I work for another contractor I get $25-30.
This is a hard area to break into the trade.We get alot of experianced help from other areas.Without the help of the union you start by digging the footings.If you show any promise you'll get moved up to tender and then if you work hard and do a good job that's where you'll stay.You don't ruin a good tender by putting a trowel in his hand.Myself,I like to use the kids from the local continuation high school.Especially if they're young parents.Show them a little pride and respect and a chance for a future and they excel,and they remain dedicated.I've trained a few of them now to the point where they're making $17.00-20.00 as 3rd year masons.

6stringmason

Exactly why I went on my own. I didnt bust my ass every day for 3 years to learn I wasnt going to be put on the wall.

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