What does a bricklayer do?
Bricklayer responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real bricklayer resumes:
- Manage and run small crew to complete jobs.
- Conduct safety meeting and fill out JSA ` s.
- Extend knowledge in shooting gunite and shotcrete.
- Set ladders, scaffolds and hoists in place for taking supplies to building.
- Train in and perform all aspects of masonry including setup, materials preparation and block laying.
- Assist bricklayers with materials, make mortar, stock bricks, erect scaffolding, and operate heavy machinery.
- Attend classes on a quarterly basis to maintain safety certifications and enhance knowledge in the field of bricklaying.
- Remove excess mortar with trowels and hand tools and finish mortar joints tools for a seal, uniform appearance.
- Mix and prepare mortar for projects, distribute bricks and stones, erect and disassemble scaffolding; operate lift machine.
- Assist with, as and when require, bricklaying, concrete laying and foundation work on major new construction jobs.
- Fill chipped, crack and broken bricks and tiles with mortar and grouting materials to correct the surface imperfections.
- Apply knowledge of electric equipment in making precise cuts to lentils and bricks, also used electronic machinery to make mortar.
Bricklayer skills and personality traits
We calculated that 34% of Bricklayers are proficient in Caulking, Trowels, and Safety Regulations. They’re also known for soft skills such as Dexterity, Unafraid of heights, and Color vision.
We break down the percentage of Bricklayers that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Caulking, 34%
perform masonry repair, which includes caulking and acid washing.
- Trowels, 25%
Remove excess mortar with trowels and hand tools and finish mortar joints tools for a sealed, uniform appearance.
- Safety Regulations, 10%
Created and maintained safe working environment by maintaining work area and upholding safety regulations.
- Construction Projects, 8%
Read blueprints and work with others to complete commercial construction projects.
- Bricklaying, 5%
Mixed mortar, bricklaying, concrete block laying, and organized equipment and tools.
- Reference Points, 3%
Measure distance from reference points and mark guidelines to lay out work, using plumb bobs and levels.
Most bricklayers use their skills in "caulking," "trowels," and "safety regulations" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential bricklayer responsibilities here:
Dexterity. The most essential soft skill for a bricklayer to carry out their responsibilities is dexterity. This skill is important for the role because "masonry workers must be able to place bricks, stones, and other materials with precision." Additionally, a bricklayer resume shows how their duties depend on dexterity: "mixed and prepared mortar for projects, distribute bricks and stones, erected and disassembled scaffolding; operated lift machine. "
Color vision. bricklayers are also known for color vision, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to bricklayer responsibilities, because "masonry workers need to be able to distinguish between small variations in color when setting terrazzo patterns in order to produce the best looking finish." A bricklayer resume example shows how color vision is used in the workplace: "mixed mortar to specific color tones to match existing masonry projects. "
Physical strength. bricklayer responsibilities often require "physical strength." The duties that rely on this skill are shown by the fact that "masonry workers should be able to lift more than 50 pounds." This resume example shows what bricklayers do with physical strength on a typical day: "provide physical labor including lifting/transferring masonry blocks and supplies. "
The three companies that hire the most bricklayers are:
- Restoration Builders4 bricklayers jobs
- Superior Supply & Steel2 bricklayers jobs
- Canaan1 bricklayers jobs
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Compare different bricklayers
Bricklayer vs. Stone mason
A mason is responsible for shaping artificial mineral products, concrete blocks, stone pieces, and bricks to create structures essential for construction or other building purposes using various machinery and equipment, following the highest safety standards and production procedures. Masons analyze schematics and blueprints, applying the clients' specifications and customization to their product expertise. They also inspect tools and equipment, ensuring that the materials are free from any defects to avoid hazards and construction delays.
There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, bricklayer responsibilities require skills like "safety regulations," "reference points," "demo," and "structural tile." Meanwhile a typical stone mason has skills in areas such as "hand tools," "customer service," "bobcat," and "mixes." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.
On average, stone masons reach similar levels of education than bricklayers. Stone masons are 0.9% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and 0.6% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Bricklayer vs. Mason
Each career also uses different skills, according to real bricklayer resumes. While bricklayer responsibilities can utilize skills like "demo," "structural tile," "laid-off," and "stone surfaces," masons use skills like "masonry," "scaffolding," "dump truck," and "windows."
Masons earn similar levels of education than bricklayers in general. They're 3.8% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.6% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Bricklayer vs. Rock mason
There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a bricklayer is likely to be skilled in "caulking," "trowels," "safety regulations," and "construction projects," while a typical rock mason is skilled in "dig," "store remodels," "irrigation repair," and "straight edge."
Rock masons typically earn similar educational levels compared to bricklayers. Specifically, they're 1.7% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.0% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Bricklayer vs. Mason apprentice
Even though a few skill sets overlap between bricklayers and mason apprentices, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a bricklayer might have more use for skills like "safety regulations," "construction projects," "structural tile," and "construction sites." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of mason apprentices require skills like "masonry," "scaffolding," "rebar," and "safety protocol. "
Mason apprentices reach similar levels of education compared to bricklayers, in general. The difference is that they're 1.7% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.0% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Types of bricklayer
Updated January 8, 2025
