by our College Data Analytics TeamAre you interested in working with bricks, concrete, and natural stones? A degree in masonry may be a good fit for you. Masons work with stone products - both manmade and natural - to create outdoor and indoor projects such as walkways, paths, driveways, walls, and fireplaces.
Masons can be trained in a number of different specialties including brick masonry, cement, stone, and terrazzo finishing. As you can probably guess, brick masons work primarily with bricks and grout, cement masons work with cement, and stone masons work with natural and manufacture red stones. Terrazzo masons work with cement to create special finishes in wet cement. This may include the tinting of cement or installing decorative touches such as stone in-lays or other designs.
While masons may be able to enjoy working outdoors, the masonry field can be a dangerous and laborious place to be. The materials being used are heavy and difficult to move around. There are also increased chances of injury. Be sure you are up to the challenge before going down the path to be a mason.
Masonry was the 365th most popular major in the 2021-2022 school year. Colleges in the United States reported awarding 284 degrees in this year alone. This year's Best Masonry Schools ranking compares 2 of them to identify the best overall programs in the country. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of masonry programs later in this article.
To be a successful mason, you must have strength, dexterity, and stamina. As mentioned earlier, you are dealing with heavy, cumbersome materials. Because masonry is a very hands-on trade, you must have good dexterity in your hands and have good hand-eye coordination.
Many masons get their start by being an apprentice to a professional mason, or by attending a trade school to learn the ins and outs of masonry. A school education will focus on the skills necessary to be successful. This will include coursework in mathematics, construction standards and safety.
Because much of job of being a mason requires hands-on experience, many trade schools offer apprenticeships as part of their program to ensure you will be successful out in the field.
masonry degree applicants generally need have finished high school or their GED. Many schools may also have GPA and SAT/ACT score minimums that must be met. In addition to these basic masonry program qualifications, to serve in some masonry careers, special certification may be required outside of your degree.
There are many different masonry degree levels. You can get anything from a in masonry to the highest masonry degree, a . The time it takes to complete a masonry degree varies depending on the program.
| Degree | Credit Requirements | Typical Program Length |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 60-70 credits | 2 years |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 120 credits | 4 years |
| Master’s Degree | 50-70 credits | 1-3 years |
| Doctorate | Program required coursework including thesis or dissertation | At least 4 years |
An associate degree is the most common level of education achieved by those in careers related to masonry, with approximately 0.9% of workers getting one. Find out other typical degree levels for masonry workers below.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| High School Diploma | 40.3% |
| Less than a High School Diploma | 25.3% |
| Post-Secondary Certificate | 18.5% |
| Some College Courses | 14.6% |
| Associate’s Degree (or other 2-year degree) | 0.7% |
The chart below shows what degree level those who work in masonry have obtained.
The education level required is different depending on the masonry career you are seeking.
Want a job when you graduate with your masonry degree? Masonry careers are expected to grow 12.0% between 2016 and 2026.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to masonry.
| Occupation Name | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Construction Trades and Extraction Worker Supervisors | 678,300 | 12.6% |
| Brickmasons and Blockmasons | 100,500 | 10.3% |
| Tile and Marble Setters | 64,000 | 9.8% |
| Stonemasons | 20,700 | 9.5% |
Masonry graduates between <nil> reported earning an average of $33,525 in the <nil> timeframe. Earnings can range from as low as $33,525 to as high as $33,525. As you might expect, salaries for masonry graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.
Salaries for masonry graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top highest paying careers masonry grads often go into.
| Occupation Name | Median Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Construction Trades and Extraction Worker Supervisors | $70,540 |
| Brickmasons and Blockmasons | $54,430 |
| Tile and Marble Setters | $45,950 |
| Stonemasons | $44,370 |
With over 69 different masonry degree programs to choose from, finding the best fit for you can be a challenge. Fortunately you have come to the right place. We have analyzed all of these schools to come up with hundreds of unbiased masonry school rankings to help you with this.
One of 6 majors within the Construction Trades area of study, Masonry has other similar majors worth exploring.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Mason/Masonry | 284 |
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Electrical & Power Transmission Installers | 26,459 |
| Building Management & Inspection | 5,269 |
| Carpentry | 3,899 |
| Plumbing & Water Supply | 2,888 |
| Construction | 1,813 |
