What does a mason do?

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.
Mason responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real mason resumes:
- Manage and run small crew to complete jobs.
- Perform masonry functions associate with constructing residential and commercial buildings in the Philadelphia area.
- Mix mortar, cut stone, laid pavers, dig drainage, plant trees, etc ....
- Build retaining, residential walls with CMU (concrete blocks), stone, brick, pave and slate.
- Used construction blueprints to layout formwork.
- Clean tools, shovels, and wheelbarrows.
- Perform repointing work, bricklaying, and block laying.
- Train and oversee other hod carries as lead operator.
- Install firebricks in chimneys and other furnaces and incinerators.
- Use of mowing, seeding, and turf conditioning equipment.
- Mix mud and run mud machine and manually deliver materials to brick masons
- Carry out essential duties in given construction such as carpentry, HVAC etc.
- Help various trades when ask upon i.e., painting, carpentry and HVAC.
- Used a pick and shovel to dig, spread and level dirt and gravel
- Concrete finishing: design, formwork, pumping, reinforcing, and shotcrete.
Mason skills and personality traits
We calculated that 33% of Masons are proficient in Masonry, Scaffolding, 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 Masons that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Masonry, 33%
Retained as a laborer following Masonry layoffs after demonstrating exceptional work ethic and knowledge.
- Scaffolding, 14%
Operated rough terrain machinery to deliver materials and setup scaffolding.
- Safety Regulations, 9%
Monitor and practice safety regulations.
- Dump Truck, 5%
Drive dump truck with and without trailer to sites and load and unload excavators and skid loaders
- Retaining Walls, 4%
Repaired, maintained and altered buildings/retaining walls/tile/ceramic structures/brick and stone edifices/floors/bathroom showers/sink counters.
- Windows, 4%
Participated in a company-wide upgrade from Windows 2000 OS to Windows XP OS, which included an upgraded Market Data client.
Common skills that a mason uses to do their job include "masonry," "scaffolding," and "safety regulations." You can find details on the most important mason responsibilities below.
Dexterity. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for a mason to have is dexterity. Their role and responsibilities require that "masonry workers must be able to place bricks, stones, and other materials with precision." Masons often use dexterity in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "experienced in brick and block, building scaffolding, and running the forklift. "
Color vision. masons are also known for color vision, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to mason 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 mason resume example shows how color vision is used in the workplace: "photograph multimillion dollar real estate listings in aspen colorado. "
Physical strength. For certain mason responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "physical strength." The day-to-day duties of a mason rely on this skill, as "masonry workers should be able to lift more than 50 pounds." For example, this snippet was taken directly from a resume about how this skill applies to what masons do: "provide physical labor including lifting/transferring masonry blocks and supplies. "
The three companies that hire the most masons are:
- Tradesmen International4 masons jobs
- The Durable Slate Company4 masons jobs
- University of Virginia4 masons jobs
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Mason vs. Helper
Helpers are employed by families or homeowners to provide overall assistance in the house. They are usually assigned to do household chores such as cleaning the house, doing the laundry, cooking meals, and tending the garden. They may also be assigned to do groceries or even drive the family around. They take care of children at home and assist them with their schoolwork should it be needed. They also address any other needs that the family may require assistance with. Helpers are expected to be patient and trustworthy since they will be working closely with the family members.
These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a mason are more likely to require skills like "masonry," "scaffolding," "dump truck," and "retaining walls." On the other hand, a job as a helper requires skills like "food handling," "safety rules," "physical labor," and "pallet jack." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.
On average, helpers reach similar levels of education than masons. Helpers are 4.4% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and 1.3% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Mason vs. Plumber
Plumbers specialize in assembling, detecting issues, maintaining, and repairing pipes and systems that can either involve water or gas distribution in a home or establishment, ensuring that they function efficiently. Additionally, Plumbers can also install various materials such as kitchen or bathroom sinks, toilets, appliances, and more. Among the tasks may revolve around training other plumbers or coordinating with other workers involved on a project, clearing obstructions and handling waste disposal, informing clients about the costs and process of repairs, and building rapport with them.
In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, mason responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "masonry," "scaffolding," "safety regulations," and "dump truck." Meanwhile, a plumber has duties that require skills in areas such as "plumbing," "hand tools," "plumbers," and "customer service." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.
In general, plumbers achieve similar levels of education than masons. They're 3.9% less likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 1.3% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Mason vs. Pipe fitter
A pipefitter specializes in pipe systems. They are mostly responsible for cutting, assembling, installing, and maintaining the pipes' condition within homes or establishments. There are also instances when a pipe fitter has to visit sites, investigate problems, and conduct tests and repairs when necessary. Most pipefitters work in a group setting and are required to communicate and coordinate with co-workers, all while adhering to a company's standards and safety policies.
The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, masons are more likely to have skills like "masonry," "scaffolding," "safety regulations," and "dump truck." But a pipe fitter is more likely to have skills like "carbon steel," "hand tools," "isometric drawings," and "hot water."
Pipe fitters typically earn similar educational levels compared to masons. Specifically, they're 4.1% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 1.1% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Mason vs. Plumber helper
A plumber helper is responsible for assisting the head plumber in installing plumbing systems, conducting preventive maintenance, and repairing broken components. Plumber helpers inspect and maintain the stability and condition of all the plumbing equipment to avoid potential hazards and ensure no delays in operations. They also adjust pipe systems, replace outdated gutters, and adhere to the highest safety standards and protocols during operations. A plumber helper must have excellent organizational and mechanical skills to perform services under minimal supervision and strict timetables.
Types of mason
Updated January 8, 2025











