*Mason Descriptions Brick Masons (OES 87310): Lay building materials, such as brick, structural tile, concrete, cinder, glass, gypsum, and terra cotta block (except stone), to construct or repair walls, partitions, arches, sewers, and other structures. Include Refractory Brickmasons. Stone Masons (OES 87305) : Build stone structures, such as piers, walls, and abutments. Lay walks, curbstones, or special types of masonry for vats, tanks, and floors. Hard Tile Setters (OES 87308): Apply hard tile to walls, floors, ceilings, and other areas following design specifications. Concrete & Terrazzo Finishers (OES 87311): Apply cement, sand, pigment, or marble chips to floors, stairways, and cabinet fixtures to finish and attain durable and decorative surfaces, according to specifications and drawings. Finish surfaces to remove imperfections from freshly poured concrete walls, roads, walkways, and ornamental stone facings of concrete structural products. Include Concrete Rubbers. Plasterers and Stucco Masons (OES 87317): Apply coats of plaster onto interior or exterior walls, ceilings, or partitions of buildings to produce finished surface according to blueprints, architect's drawings, or oral instructions. CA Wages, Brick Masons union median range New, no experience: $10.00 $9.00 – $10.00 New, experienced: $17.00 $12.00 – $30.00 3 yrs+ experience: $28.00 $25.00 – $38.00 CA Wages, Concreete & Terrazzo Finishers nonunion median range New, no experience: $12.08 $11.51 – $12.81 New, experienced: $16.97 $13.42 – $19.18 3 yrs+ experience: $19.46 $14.14 – $22.05 union median range New, no experience: NA NA New, experienced: $22.00 $19.00 – $23.00 3 yrs+ experience: $23.00 $21.00 – $26.00 CA Wages, Plasterers & Stucco Masons union median range New, no experience: $10.00 $6.00 – $20.00 New, experienced: $18.00 $13.00 – $20.00 3 yrs+ experience: $24.00 $20.00 – $24.00 Apprentices start at 65% of the basic journey rate and receive a 5% increase each six months until they reach 90% of the journey rate, as the apprentice completes the necessary course work and on-the-job training. Local Wages • CCOIS Survey • OES Survey Hours & Benefits The usual working hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Depending on the union contract, overtime pay is time and a half for the first three hours over eight hours and double time thereafter. In addition to direct wages paid, employers' contributions pay fringe benefits which include vacation, savings, health and welfare programs, pensions and apprenticeship training. Employment Trends Employment 1996 30,160 Projected Employment 2006 44,570 Growth Rate 1996-2006 47.8% Openings due to Separations 8,430 Employment Trends by California County During the projection period, Cement Masons are expected to grow at a rate that is faster than the average rate for all occupations. Demand for Cement Masons is highly dependent upon over-all construction activity levels. The work is also somewhat seasonal, though California's mild climate permits work to continue throughout the year, except in mountainous regions. Getting the Job & Other Information Some Cement Masons obtain their work through the union. Contractors call the union each morning to hire workers. They sometimes request masons who specialize in particular types of work such as curbs, gutters, steps, form setting, patching, or operating a powerfloat. Cement Masons interested in working for a government agency can apply at the various city, county or State personnel offices. Job seekers may also contact the California Employment Development Department. For current job listings, browse CalJOBS or America's Job Bank. © State of California EDD/LMID, US Department of Labor Unless indicated otherwise, wage data is based on Statewide aggregated CCOIS survey responses between 1995 and 1997. Questions or Comments? Contact us.

Click arrow at bottom left of image to begin. Requires QuickTime Education and Training Training for this occupation is through the apprenticeship program provided by the Cement Masons' Union. The apprenticeship consists of three years' on-the-job training and classroom instruction designed to give a broad, working knowledge of the trade. To become an apprentice a person must be at least 17 years of age and have a job offer from a contractor willing to take her or him as an apprentice. There are no specific educational requirements for becoming an apprentice; however, high school drafting, mathematics and shop courses may be helpful. Skills & Other Requirements Before concrete is poured, Cement Masons (also called cement finishers) check the forms (which hold the concrete) to see that they are properly constructed. During the pour, laborers spread the concrete to the desired depth, using shovels and rakes. On small jobs, the Cement Masons may mix or direct the mixing of the concrete and also pour and spread the concrete. Cement Masons level, smooth, finish and shape the concrete surfaces, using a variety of hand tools such as straightedges, tamps, floats and trowels. Power trowels may be used on large-scale projects, but corners, edges and hard-to-reach places must still be finished by hand. In some projects, machines are used in the leveling and troweling process. Masons mold joints and edges, using hand tools such as edgers, jointers and straightedges. They remove rough spots from surfaces with power grinders, hammers and chisels and patch holes with a fresh cement mixture. Cement Masons can create desired textures and colors using a variety of brushes, belts, coloring powders and terrazzo (marble) chips. Crew leaders may also direct the preliminary work such as setting forms or grading soil. Cement Masons must be familiar with the characteristics of various cements and concrete mixes and be knowledgeable of the effects of weather upon the curing of concrete. Working Conditions Cement Masons are employed primarily by general contractors and by cement subcontractors; a few work for local governments. They typically work out- of-doors on construction sites. Cement Masons are exposed to most types of weather, except heavy rain or snow, and must work around wet concrete. Potential hazards include the possibility of falls, falling objects, back injuries, knee injuries and cement poisoning. Protective equipment used by Cement Masons includes rubber boots, gloves, hard hats, knee pads, face respirators (for cement dust) and safety glasses. This work is strenuous and involves much pushing and pulling, reaching and handling, bending and stooping, kneeling and crawling, and walking. The work may require climbing or working from scaffolds and may also involve lifting and carrying materials weighing up to 100 pounds. Some Cement Masons belong to the Cement Masons' Union. Some locals of this union provide their apprentices with a set of hand tools, boots and knee pads. Advancement With experience and good performance, Cement Masons can be appointed to crew leader or superintendent positions by their contractors. They can also become cement contractors which requires a license. The license is issued by the State Contractor's Board and requires four years of journey-level experience and the knowledge to pass the written trade and business tests. References Note: The references below (and/or on other parts of this page) will link to pages on the internet outside the Career Video system. California Occupational Guide: Cement Masons #181 Related Occupation: Tile Setters #103, Brick Masons #204, Plasterers & Stucco Masons #249 Training: California State Training Inventory * Note: As the definitions indicate, there are many variations of Masons. Most of the information provided here is based on Concrete and Terazzo Finishers since they composed the largest proportion of jobs in the masonary field (43% according to year 2006 projections). Wage data provided for th ose occupations where information is available. Data in the Employment Trend table is based on the aggregate of the various Mason occupational titles, which are: Brick Masons Stone Masons Hard Tile Setters Concrete and Terrazzo Finishers Reinforcing Metal Workers Plasterers and Stucco Masons