by our College Data Analytics TeamAre you interested in working with bricks, concrete, and natural stones? A degree in masonry may be a good fit for you. Masons work with stone products - both manmade and natural - to create outdoor and indoor projects such as walkways, paths, driveways, walls, and fireplaces.
Masons can be trained in a number of different specialties including brick masonry, cement, stone, and terrazzo finishing. As you can probably guess, brick masons work primarily with bricks and grout, cement masons work with cement, and stone masons work with natural and manufacture red stones. Terrazzo masons work with cement to create special finishes in wet cement. This may include the tinting of cement or installing decorative touches such as stone in-lays or other designs.
While masons may be able to enjoy working outdoors, the masonry field can be a dangerous and laborious place to be. The materials being used are heavy and difficult to move around. There are also increased chances of injury. Be sure you are up to the challenge before going down the path to be a mason.
Studying Masonry involves the study of Mason/masonry. Continue reading for the important information every masonry student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering masonry programs.
Across the country, masonry draws strong interest, with 378 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Masonry Schools ranking analyzes these 33 schools to determine the best overall colleges for masonry students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of masonry programs later in this article.
Programs in Masonry emphasize a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations masonry graduates commonly enter.
To be a successful mason, you must have strength, dexterity, and stamina. As mentioned earlier, you are dealing with heavy, cumbersome materials. Because masonry is a very hands-on trade, you must have good dexterity in your hands and have good hand-eye coordination.
Many masons get their start by being an apprentice to a professional mason, or by attending a trade school to learn the ins and outs of masonry. A school education will focus on the skills necessary to be successful. This will include coursework in mathematics, construction standards and safety.
Because much of job of being a mason requires hands-on experience, many trade schools offer apprenticeships as part of their program to ensure you will be successful out in the field.
Skills developed in a masonry program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Per O*NET surveys, a masonry major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several masonry degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 87 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 42 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 1 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 248 |
People currently working in careers related to masonry tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| High school diploma or equivalent | 47.5% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 26.6% |
| Some college courses | 8.8% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 8.3% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 5.1% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 3.7% |
See the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in masonry careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Studying masonry can lead to many career paths. Here are some of the most common occupations related to masonry.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to masonry.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Tile and Stone Setters | 656,657 | 3.0% |
| First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers | 646,091 | 3.6% |
| Solar Energy Installation Managers | 484,877 | 9.2% |
| Brickmasons and Blockmasons | 424,326 | -4.6% |
| Stonemasons | 354,910 | -1.6% |
The U.S. Department of Education tracks median earnings of masonry graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Earnings tend to climb as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $33,525 |
| 4 years | $17,178 |
| 5 years | $20,337 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for masonry graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers masonry grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers | $83,555 |
| Stonemasons | $64,233 |
| Solar Energy Installation Managers | $57,985 |
| Brickmasons and Blockmasons | $50,255 |
| Tile and Stone Setters | $46,953 |
With 33 different masonry programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased masonry school rankings to help you.
Students interested in masonry, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Mason/Masonry | 378 |
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Electrical and Power Transmission Installers | 35,577 |
| Building/Construction Finishing, Management, and Inspection | 6,978 |
| Carpenters | 5,356 |
| Plumbing and Related Water Supply Services | 3,471 |
| CONSTRUCTION TRADES | 2,761 |
| Construction Trades, Other | 281 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
