Occupation · SOC 47-3011
Helpers--Brickmasons, Blockmasons, Stonemasons, and Tile and Marble Setters
Help brickmasons, blockmasons, stonemasons, or tile and marble setters by performing duties requiring less skill. Duties include using, supplying, or holding materials or tools, and cleaning work area and equipment.
Median wage
$46,480
$35,570–$68,330
Projected growth
—
—
Annual openings
—
per year
Employed (US)
15,660
Job Zone 2
Typical preparation
Some preparation
Stackable credential programs
29 mapped
Core skills
MonitoringCoordinationOperation and ControlTime ManagementCritical Thinking
Knowledge areas
Building and ConstructionMechanicalDesignMathematics
Technology & tools
Accounting softwareComputer aided design CAD softwareData base user interface and query softwareAnalytical or scientific softwareProject management software
Representative tasks
Mix mortar, plaster, and grout, manually or using machines, according to standard formulas.Erect scaffolding or other installation structures.Cut materials to specified sizes for installation, using power saws or tile cutters.Modify material moving, mixing, grouting, grinding, polishing, or cleaning procedures, according to installation or material requirements.Provide assistance in the preparation, installation, repair, or rebuilding of tile, brick, or stone surfaces.Transport materials, tools, or machines to installation sites, manually or using conveyance equipment.Locate and supply materials to masons for installation, following drawings or numbered sequences.Arrange or store materials, machines, tools, or equipment.Clean installation surfaces, equipment, tools, work sites, or storage areas, using water, chemical solutions, oxygen lances, or polishing machines.Move or position materials such as marble slabs, using cranes, hoists, or dollies.Remove excess grout or residue from tile or brick joints, using sponges or trowels.Apply grout between joints of bricks or tiles, using grouting trowels.Apply caulk, sealants, or other agents to installed surfaces.Remove damaged tile, brick, or mortar, and clean or prepare surfaces, using pliers, hammers, chisels, drills, wire brushes, or metal wire anchors.Correct surface imperfections or fill chipped, cracked, or broken bricks or tiles, using fillers, adhesives, or grouting materials.
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Mortar and grout mixtures — prepare by hand or machine following standard formulas under direct supervisor guidance on a commercial construction site.Hand tools and basic power equipment — identify and handle safely under close supervision during initial on-the-job training.Building materials such as tile, brick, and stone — transport manually or with conveyance equipment to designated installation areas under direction.Scaffolding components — assist in erecting and disassembling simple structures under the supervision of an experienced mason on a job site.Materials, tools, and machines — arrange and store in designated areas following crew instructions to maintain an organized worksite.Tile cutters and power saws — operate under direct supervision to make basic straight cuts to specified dimensions.Mason supply needs — recognize and locate materials from storage areas following numbered sequences or simple drawings.Installation assistance tasks — provide basic support during tile, brick, or stone surface preparation under continuous journeyman oversight.Job site safety protocols — follow established procedures for personal protective equipment use and hazard recognition throughout the workday.Physical stamina and trunk strength — apply consistently when lifting and carrying heavy materials across active construction job sites.
developing
Mortar, plaster, and grout mixtures — prepare routinely using both manual and machine methods, adjusting consistency to meet standard installation requirements.Tile cutters and power saws — operate with limited oversight to cut materials to specified sizes for a variety of residential and commercial installation tasks.Scaffolding and temporary support structures — erect and secure with reduced supervision, applying basic safety checks before crew use.Material quantities and sequencing — coordinate supply delivery to masons by reading installation drawings and following numbered layout sequences on active job sites.Tools, equipment, and materials — organize and store systematically between tasks to minimize downtime and support efficient crew workflow.Mixing and grouting procedures — adapt basic techniques in response to differing material types or environmental conditions such as temperature or surface porosity.Installation preparation tasks — assist journeyman masons during tile, brick, and stone surface repair or rebuilding with growing independence.Time management on multi-task assignments — prioritize material transport, mixing, and staging duties to support uninterrupted mason productivity.Conveyance equipment such as hand trucks and dollies — operate safely and efficiently when moving heavy loads across construction job sites.Near vision and arm-hand steadiness — apply during close-tolerance cutting and fitting tasks to ensure accurate material placement for mason installation.
proficient
Mortar, grout, and plaster formulas — modify and calibrate independently based on specific installation requirements, substrate conditions, and manufacturer specifications.Power saws and tile cutting equipment — operate with full autonomy to produce precise cuts for complex patterns, curves, and non-standard dimensions on varied surfaces.Scaffolding and elevated work platforms — plan, erect, and inspect safely without oversight, ensuring structural compliance for multi-trade use on large job sites.Material logistics and sequencing — manage end-to-end supply coordination for multiple masons simultaneously, interpreting detailed construction drawings and schedules.Mixing, grinding, polishing, and cleaning procedures — evaluate and adjust techniques across non-routine situations including restoration, historic materials, and specialty finishes.Installation support for tile, brick, and stone surfaces — execute preparation, repair, and rebuilding tasks with full independence across a wide range of surface types and conditions.Tool and equipment storage systems — design and maintain organized site layouts that reduce material handling time and minimize loss or damage throughout a project lifecycle.Critical thinking in material problem-solving — diagnose mixing inconsistencies, surface defects, or installation errors and implement effective corrective actions without escalation.Physical coordination and extent flexibility — sustain high performance during demanding multi-limb tasks such as simultaneous lifting, positioning, and securing of heavy masonry units.Worksite monitoring — observe crew activities and material conditions continuously to identify safety risks, quality issues, or scheduling conflicts before they escalate.
advanced
Crew workflow and task coordination — direct daily assignments for teams of helpers and apprentices across concurrent masonry projects to maximize productivity and quality outcomes.Material preparation standards and procedures — establish site-wide mixing, cutting, and handling protocols that ensure consistency across all crew members throughout a project.Scaffolding and installation structure planning — lead the design and safety review of complex temporary structure configurations for large-scale commercial or institutional construction projects.Apprentice development and on-the-job training — mentor emerging helpers in safe tool use, mixing formulas, and material handling techniques to build long-term craft workforce capability.Project material management systems — oversee procurement, staging, and inventory tracking for full-scale masonry projects, reducing waste and preventing supply disruptions.Quality assurance for installation support operations — evaluate helper and apprentice workmanship against specification standards and implement corrective coaching at the crew level.Cross-trade coordination — collaborate with tile setters, brickmasons, and site supervisors to align material readiness, sequencing, and scaffolding with overall construction schedules.Non-standard and complex installation requirements — lead problem resolution for unusual substrates, heritage materials, or high-tolerance applications requiring advanced procedural adaptation.Worksite safety culture — champion and enforce safety standards for tool operation, material handling, and scaffold use, modeling cautiousness and dependability for the entire crew.Operational efficiency improvements — analyze site workflows, identify bottlenecks in material transport and mixing operations, and implement process changes that reduce labor hours and project costs.
Also known as
49 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
Tombstone Erector HelperBrick CarrierBoat Joiner HelperAdobe Layer HelperStructural (Air Force 3E3X1)Firebrick and Refractory Tile Bricklayer HelperDamage Controlman (Coast Guard DC)Ceramic Tile Installation HelperPatcher HelperFirebrick or Refractory Tile Bricklayer HelperBuilder (Navy BU)Refractory Tile HelperStructural Craftsman (Air Force 3E371)Structural Journeyman (Air Force 3E351)Marble Finisher HelperTile FinisherBrick TenderParquet Floor Layer's HelperCombat Engineer (Marine Corps 1371)Hod CarrierStructural Apprentice (Air Force 3E331)Tile HelperAdvanced Builder (Navy B13A)Mason HelperStructural Helper (Air Force 3E311)Material Maintenance Specialty (Coast Guard MAT)Boring Machine Operator HelperRestoration Labor Mason TenderMonument Setter HelperHot-Top-Liner HelperConstructionman (Navy 002688)Brick WasherTile Layer HelperCarpentry and Masonry Specialist (Army 12W)Mason TenderBrick CleanerFirebrick Layer HelperMasontenderMarble Installation HelperMarble Finisher