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Stonemasons

In the Stonemasons occupation, workers build stone structures, such as piers, walls, and abutments. The job can ask you to set vertical and horizontal alignment of structures, using plumb bob, gauge line, and level. On the six-type interest model it reads RCA, meaning hands-on work with tools, machines or the physical world comes first, followed by orderly work with data, records and clear procedures. Plan on a few months to a year of learning on the job; O*NET labels this some preparation. Strength in critical thinking, time management, and judgment and decision making helps most here. People who want hands-on work with tools, machines or the physical world usually fit better here than those who need leading, persuading and making business decisions.

What they do

Build stone structures, such as piers, walls, and abutments. Lay walks, curbstones, or special types of masonry for vats, tanks, and floors.

Main tasks

  • Set vertical and horizontal alignment of structures, using plumb bob, gauge line, and level.
  • Lay out wall patterns or foundations, using straight edge, rule, or staked lines.
  • Set stone or marble in place, according to layout or pattern.
  • Remove wedges, fill joints between stones, finish joints between stones, using a trowel, and smooth the mortar to an attractive finish, using a tuck pointer.
  • Clean excess mortar or grout from surface of marble, stone, or monument, using sponge, brush, water, or acid.
  • Shape, trim, face and cut marble or stone preparatory to setting, using power saws, cutting equipment, and hand tools.

Skills

  • Critical Thinking
  • Time Management
  • Judgment and Decision Making
  • Complex Problem Solving
  • Operations Monitoring
  • Coordination

Who this career fits

May suit you if

  • You like ending the day with a physical result you can point to.
  • You want to start work after a short stretch of training.
  • You are comfortable relying on critical thinking and time management.

May not suit you if

  • You would rather stay away from physical, hands-on tasks.
  • You want to lead people or run the business side. Enterprising rates 1.3 out of 7 here.
  • You want a career built on years of advanced study.

Interest profile

O*NET rates each occupation from 1 to 7 on six interest types. The code RCA takes the three highest, and Realistic comes first here.

Preparation

Some preparation. Most people start with a high school diploma, then learn from experienced coworkers over a few months to a year.

Also called

  • Marble Installer
  • Marble Shop Worker
  • Mason
  • Mason Mechanic
  • Stone Derrickman

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This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.