Brickmason

O*NET: Brickmasons and Blockmasons·47-2021.00

The Verdict:Bricklaying requires hands-on manipulation of bricks, mortar, and tools across variable construction sites — cutting, aligning courses, finishing joints in real-world conditions no robot replicates. AI supports planning and drone inspections, but physical craft dominates. The role evolves with tech aids yet remains secure amid construction demand.

Resilience Score

/100

Resilient

Score tiers

Highly Resilient81–100

Resilient61–80

Moderate Risk41–60

High Risk21–40

Critical Risk0–20

How is this scored?

Task Resilience

How much of this role's daily work remains beyond AI and robotic automation.

30% of score

Physical Presence

The degree to which this job needs a human present — hands-on, in the field, or in the room.

20% of score

Human Necessity

How important the unique human edge is — for trust, accountability, or judgment.

15% of score

Regulatory Shield

How strong the legal requirement is for a human in this job (by law, licensing, or credentials).

13% of score

Technological Maturity

How far AI remains from performing this role's core functions.

10% of score

Displacement Evidence

The volume of jobs in this field being eliminated by AI or automation right now.

12% of score

Score last updated: February 2026Full methodology

Avg Salary

Median annual wage from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024 release.

$61k

Job Growth (10yr)

Projected change in total number of jobs (not salary) from 2024–2034. Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections.

+3.2%

AI Exposure

Percentage of this role's analyzed tasks that AI can handle autonomously or nearly so. 0 of 15 tasks are classified as AI-exposed.

Low exposure

Task Analysis

This role's core work is hard to automate.
12 of 15 tasks require human judgment, presence, or trust. The 20% that are AI-leverage offer an edge — professionals who learn these tools will outperform those who don't.

0exposed

3AI leverage

12human-essential

View all 15 tasks

AI Can Handle This0 tasks

Tasks AI can do autonomously or nearly so

No exposed tasks identified

AI Leverage3 tasks

Master these tools — humans who do outperform those who don't

Calculate angles and courses and determine vertical and horizontal alignment of courses.

Interpret blueprints and drawings to determine specifications and to calculate the materials required.

Use drone technology to inspect and assess the condition of tall structures.

Human Advantage12 tasks

Tasks requiring trust, presence, or novel judgment

Measure distance from reference points and mark guidelines to lay out work, using plumb bobs and levels.

Construct corners by fastening in plumb position a corner pole or building a corner pyramid of bricks, and filling in between the corners using a line from corner to corner to guide each course, or layer, of brick.

Apply and smooth mortar or other mixture over work surface.

Break or cut bricks, tiles, or blocks to size, using trowel edge, hammer, or power saw.

Remove excess mortar with trowels and hand tools, and finish mortar joints with jointing tools, for a sealed, uniform appearance.

Fasten or fuse brick or other building material to structure with wire clamps, anchor holes, torch, or cement.

Clean working surface to remove scale, dust, soot, or chips of brick and mortar, using broom, wire brush, or scraper.

Examine brickwork or structure to determine need for repair.

Mix specified amounts of sand, clay, dirt, or mortar powder with water to form refractory mixtures.

Remove burned or damaged brick or mortar, using sledgehammer, crowbar, chipping gun, or chisel.

Lay and align bricks, blocks, or tiles to build or repair structures or high temperature equipment, such as cupola, kilns, ovens, or furnaces.

Spray or spread refractory material over brickwork to protect against deterioration.

Resilience Landscape

Brickmason lands in Stable, Lower Pay

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