Brick and block masonry is one of the oldest trades in the construction industry, and it remains essential to building projects across the country. Understanding how much masons earn in each state is vital for contractors planning labor budgets, tradespeople considering relocation, and students evaluating career paths. Based on Bureau of Labor Statistics data from May 2016, the gap between the highest and lowest paying states is substantial, with masons in Massachusetts earning more than double their counterparts in Mississippi. This article breaks down the state by state earnings for masons, examines how cost of living adjustments change the picture, and explores the factors driving wage differences across the country.
National Wage Overview for Brick and Block Masons
The national average hourly wage for brick and block masons in 2016 was approximately $24.50 per hour, though this figure masks dramatic variation from state to state. Southern states consistently ranked at the bottom of the pay scale, while Northeastern and industrial Midwestern states led the nation. The five lowest paying states all fell below $18.50 per hour, while the top five all exceeded $33 per hour. Emerging technologies like wearable exoskeletons for masons are beginning to improve workplace safety and productivity, which may influence earnings over time as efficiency gains translate into higher project profitability.
- Lowest paying states (raw hourly wage): Mississippi ($16.94), Florida ($17.29), South Carolina ($17.37), Georgia ($17.56), North Carolina ($18.29)
- Highest paying states (raw hourly wage): Massachusetts ($37.28), New York ($35.57), Illinois ($35.31), Washington ($35.18), Minnesota ($33.36)
- Mid-range states: Texas ($21.04), Colorado ($22.56), Virginia ($23.07), Oregon ($24.11), Pennsylvania ($26.36)
The spread between the lowest and highest states amounts to $20.34 per hour, which translates to over $42,000 per year in annual income difference for a full-time mason working 2,080 hours. Alaska was the only state for which the Bureau of Labor Statistics did not report data for this occupation category.
Top-Paying States and What Sets Them Apart
Massachusetts led the nation with an average hourly wage of $37.28 for brick and block masons, nearly double the national median. New York followed closely at $35.57, with Illinois rounding out the top three at $35.31. Washington and Minnesota completed the top five with $35.18 and $33.36 respectively. What these states have in common is a combination of strong union presence, high construction activity in dense urban markets, and relatively high overall cost of living that pushes wages upward. The quality of tools and precision equipment also plays a role in mason productivity, as highlighted in this mason level review covering essential layout tools that experienced masons rely on for accurate work.
| Rank | State | Average Hourly Wage | Annual Salary (Est.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Massachusetts | $37.28 | $77,542 |
| 2 | New York | $35.57 | $73,986 |
| 3 | Illinois | $35.31 | $73,445 |
| 4 | Washington | $35.18 | $73,174 |
| 5 | Minnesota | $33.36 | $69,389 |
| 6 | Rhode Island | $32.14 | $66,851 |
| 7 | Missouri | $30.96 | $64,397 |
| 8 | District of Columbia | $30.58 | $63,606 |
| 9 | New Jersey | $30.41 | $63,253 |
| 10 | Connecticut | $29.72 | $61,818 |
New York and Massachusetts benefit from large-scale commercial and residential construction in Boston and New York City, where demand for skilled masons consistently outpaces supply. Illinois, despite its economic challenges in recent years, maintains strong prevailing wage laws that keep construction wages elevated compared to neighboring states. Washington’s booming tech economy has driven construction demand across Seattle and surrounding areas, pulling mason wages upward as contractors compete for skilled labor.
How Cost of Living Reshapes the Pay Picture
Raw hourly wages tell only part of the story. When adjusted for cost of living using data from the Missouri Economic Research and Information Center (second quarter 2017), the rankings shift dramatically. States with moderate living costs and solid mason wages rise to the top, while high-cost states like Hawaii and California fall sharply. For project managers planning multi-state operations, understanding these regional cost dynamics is just as important as tracking seasonal construction delays by state that can affect project timelines and budgets.
- Top cost-of-living adjusted wages: Illinois ($36.30), Missouri ($34.09), Minnesota ($33.43), Washington ($32.37), North Dakota ($28.81)
- Biggest drops after COL adjustment: Hawaii ($28.40 raw to $9.54 adjusted), District of Columbia ($30.58 to $14.25), Maryland ($20.91 to $15.26), California ($29.10 to $15.83)
- Best value states for masons: Illinois, Missouri, and Minnesota offer strong adjusted wages combined with manageable living costs
Hawaii presents the most extreme example of cost of living impact. While masons in Hawaii earn a respectable $28.40 per hour on paper, the state’s exceptionally high housing, grocery, and utility costs reduce effective buying power to just $9.54 per hour. This means a mason in Hawaii effectively earns less in purchasing power than a mason in Mississippi, despite the $11.46 gap in nominal wages. Conversely, Illinois masons see their $35.31 raw wage hold up remarkably well after COL adjustment, landing at $36.30 per hour and claiming the top spot nationally.
Regional Factors Driving Mason Wages
Several structural factors explain why mason wages vary so widely from state to state. Prevailing wage laws, union density, construction market conditions, and local cost of labor all play significant roles. In Texas, for example, the construction workforce is massive and the state’s right-to-work laws limit union influence, keeping mason wages at $21.04 per hour despite a booming construction sector. For perspective on how this compares to other trades in the region, take a look at construction worker salaries in Texas across multiple occupations.
Key factors influencing state-level mason wages include:
- Union density: States with strong union traditions, particularly in the Northeast and Upper Midwest, consistently pay masons 20 to 40 percent more than non-union states in the South and Southwest.
- Prevailing wage laws: About half of all states have prevailing wage laws that set minimum pay rates for public construction projects, which tends to raise the floor for all construction wages in those states.
- Urban vs rural concentration: States with major metropolitan areas offer higher wages due to increased competition for labor and higher project complexity. Massachusetts benefits from Boston’s dense construction market, while Mississippi has fewer major urban centers driving demand.
- Construction volume: States experiencing population growth and infrastructure investment see higher demand for masons, which pushes wages upward as contractors bid for limited skilled labor.
- Climate and seasonality: Northern states with shorter building seasons often pay higher hourly rates to compensate for fewer working months per year, while southern states offer more consistent year-round work at lower hourly rates.
The bottom ten states in mason wages are overwhelmingly concentrated in the South, where right-to-work laws, weaker prevailing wage protections, and abundant labor supply combine to suppress hourly rates. Mississippi, Florida, South Carolina, Georgia, and North Carolina all pay masons below $18.50 per hour, less than half the rate in Massachusetts.
Union Membership and Earnings Potential
Union membership is one of the strongest predictors of mason wages across states. The top five states for mason wages (Massachusetts, New York, Illinois, Washington, Minnesota) all have above-average union density in the construction trades. Research consistently shows that unionized construction workers earn substantially more than their non-union counterparts, even when controlling for experience and location. To understand the full scope of this earnings gap, explore the detailed comparison of union versus non-union construction worker pay.
Union benefits extend beyond base pay. Union masons typically receive:
- Higher hourly base wages, often $5 to $12 per hour more than non-union counterparts in the same region
- Employer-funded pension and retirement plans
- Health insurance coverage included in the compensation package
- Formal apprenticeship programs with structured wage progression
- Job placement support through union hiring halls
- Safety training and continuing education opportunities
When total compensation packages including benefits are factored in, the union advantage grows even wider. A union mason earning $35 per hour with $12 per hour in benefits effectively costs the contractor $47 per hour, while a non-union mason earning $22 per hour with minimal benefits costs $24 to $27 per hour. The difference reflects both the value of benefits and the bargaining power that unions bring to wage negotiations.
Missouri presents an interesting case study. Masons there earn $30.96 per hour raw, ranking 7th nationally, and after cost-of-living adjustment they jump to 2nd place at $34.09. Missouri’s strong union presence in the construction trades, particularly in St. Louis and Kansas City, helps maintain wages that far exceed what the state’s overall cost of living would suggest.
Career Outlook and Salary Progression for Masons
Masonry offers clear pathways for wage growth over a career. Apprentices typically start at 40 to 50 percent of journeyman wages and receive incremental raises as they complete training milestones. After four years of apprenticeship, a mason can reach full journeyman status and command top hourly rates in their state. Experienced masons who move into supervisory roles or specialize in complex restoration work can earn significantly more than the averages reported here. For those considering the broader career trajectory, understanding project manager salary progression in construction provides useful context for long-term earnings potential in the industry.
Several trends are shaping the future of masonry wages:
- Aging workforce: The average mason is in their mid-40s, and fewer young workers are entering the trade. This labor shortage is expected to push wages higher over the next decade as demand for skilled masons outstrips supply.
- Automation impact: Robotic brick laying machines exist but remain limited to simple repetitive tasks. Complex masonry work, restoration, and decorative stonework will continue to require human skill for the foreseeable future.
- Infrastructure spending: Federal and state infrastructure programs create sustained demand for masonry work on bridges, retaining walls, and public buildings, supporting wage growth in states that invest heavily in infrastructure.
- Immigration policy: Changes in immigration enforcement affect the supply of construction labor in many states, with tighter policies potentially driving wages higher as the available workforce shrinks.
Masons who invest in continuing education, certification, and specialized skills such as historic restoration, stone carving, or refractory installation can command premium wages that far exceed state averages. The combination of a tightening labor market and steady construction demand suggests favorable wage growth for brick and block masons across most states in the coming years.
For contractors, project managers, and tradespeople evaluating where to work or hire, the data makes clear that location matters enormously for mason earnings. Northeastern states offer the highest raw wages, while Midwestern states deliver the best value when living costs are factored in. Southern states offer lower pay but more consistent year-round work. Understanding these tradeoffs is essential for making informed career and business decisions in the masonry trade.