About the job
Bricklayers lay bricks, concrete blocks, stone and other similar materials to construct or repair walls, arches, chimneys, fireplaces, patios, garden walls, and other structures in accordance with blueprints and specifications. They are employed by construction companies and bricklaying contractors or they may be self-employed.
- Read sketches and blueprints to calculate materials required.
- Cut and trim bricks and concrete blocks to specification using hand and power tools.
- Prepare and lay bricks, concrete blocks, stone, structural tiles and similar materials to construct or repair walls, foundations and other structures in residential, industrial and commercial construction.
- Lay bricks or other masonry units to build residential or commercial chimneys and fireplaces.
- Lay radial bricks to build masonry shells of industrial chimneys.
- Lay or install firebricks to line industrial chimneys and smokestacks.
- Line or reline furnaces, kilns, boilers and similar installations using refractory or acid-resistant bricks, refractory concretes, plastic refractories and other materials.
- Lay bricks, stone or similar materials to provide veneer facing to walls or other surfaces.
- Construct and install prefabricated masonry units.
- Lay bricks or other masonry units to build patios, garden walls and other decorative installations.
- May restore, clean or paint existing masonry structures.
- brick and stone mason
- brick setter
- bricklayer
- brickmason
- chimney repair stonemason
- concrete block setter
- restoration stonemason
- stonemason
This work requires a sense of balance, an eye for line and proportion, and the ability to work with precision. You should be in excellent physical condition, coordinated, and comfortable working at heights. The ability to follow instructions and cooperate with others is important. A good imagination and creative ability are also assets in this trade.
- Completion of secondary school is usually required.
- Completion of a three- to four-year apprenticeship program or a combination of over four years of work experience in the trade and some high school, college or industry courses in bricklaying is usually required to be eligible for trade certification.
- Trade certification for bricklayers is compulsory in Nova Scotia.
- Trade certification for restoration stone masons is available, but voluntary, in Nova Scotia.
- Red Seal Endorsement (RSE) is also available to qualified bricklayers upon successful completion of the interprovincial Red Seal examination.
Jobs in the construction industry are strongly affected by seasonal changes and general economic conditions. As a result, workers in these jobs should be prepared for periods of unemployment. Also, many work on a project basis and can expect periods of unemployment throughout the year. The wage rate for apprentices is usually a percentage of the journeyperson rate, increasing upon completion of each stage of the apprenticeship program. Progression to supervisory positions is possible with experience.
Labour Market Information
The employment outlook over the next few years for this occupational group is “limited”, which indicates the chances of a qualified individual finding work is below average when compared with other occupations in Nova Scotia. This is not a large occupation in Nova Scotia so job opportunities may not be that frequent and jobseekers may face competition. The number employed in this occupation is expected to decline moderately over the next few years, which will likely limit the number of new opportunities available. With a large percent of workers being 55 years of age and older, retirements are expected to be a key contributor to employment opportunities over the coming years. Bricklayers most commonly work full-time hours. Furthermore, the jobs may either be permanent or temporary positions, as both are common.
The median employment income for 27% of Bricklayers who worked full-time, year-round in 2015 was $44,758. Across all occupations in Nova Scotia, 59% of those who worked full-time year round had a median employment income of $43,600.
(Source: 2016 Census)
Occupation | Estimated employment in 2018 | Estimated change in employment between 2017 and 2019 | Estimated openings due to growth and retirements, 2017-2019 | Estimated rate of unemployment in 2018 | Estimated hourly earnings in 2015 (learn more) | Estimated annual earnings in 2015 |
Bricklayers | 295 | decline | 5 | High | Minimum: $17.00 Median: $24.00 Maximum: $34.00 | Minimum: $7,255 Median: $28,768 Maximum: $63,271 |
Occupations in Trades and Transportation | 57,925 | Decline slightly | 3,400 | High | Minimum: $13.00 Median: $20.35 Maximum: $34.00 | Minimum: $7,580 Median: $37,269 Maximum: $79,787 |
Bricklayers | Compared to: Occupations in Trades and Transportation | |
Percent employed full-time | 89% | 89% |
Percent self-employed | 4% | 13% |
Area of Employment | Bricklayers | Compared to: All NS Occupations | ||
% Employed | Median Annual Income | % Employed | Median Annual Income | |
Southern | 9% | x | 12% | $30,581 |
Northern | 12% | x | 16% | $33,660 |
Cape Breton | 16% | x | 13% | $32,974 |
Halifax | 49% | $25,984 | 47% | $41,209 |
Annapolis Valley | 13% | x | 13% | $32,958 |

Age | Bricklayers | Compared to: All Trades and Transportation |
% Employed | % Employed | |
15-24 | 10% | x |
25-34 | 7% | 13% |
35-44 | 14% | 33% |
45-54 | 31% | 34% |
55-64 | 21% | 19% |
65+ | 17% | x |
Median Age | 47 | 47 |

Gender | Bricklayers | Compared to: Occupations in Trades and Transportation |
% Employed | % Employed | |
Female | 4% | 5% |
Male | 96% | 95% |
Education | Bricklayers | Compared to: All Trades and Transportation | ||
% Employed | Median Annual Income | % Employed | Median Annual Income | |
Less than high school | 14.3% | $25,458 | 18.2% | $25,753 |
High school | 18.6% | $30,520 | 25.5% | $28,089 |
Trades certificate | 45.7% | $28,527 | 29.4% | $40,890 |
College certificate or diploma | 17.1% | $31,285 | 22.6% | $39,023 |
University certificate or diploma | 2.9% | x | 1.0% | $35,969 |
Bachelor's degree | 2.9% | x | 2.7% | $36,972 |
University advanced certificate or diploma | N/A | x | 0.2% | $41,705 |
Master's degree | N/A | x | 0.3% | x |
Doctorate | 2.9% | x | 0.0% | $36,029 |
Medicine, dentistry, veterinary, optometry | N/A | x | 0.0% | $3,714 |
Total | 100% | 100% |
Hourly earnings data are from the Labour Force Survey by Statistics Canada. Data are not available for all occupations. Hourly earnings are calculated based on usual hours worked per week. This is how an annual salary, for instance, gets converted to an hourly rate. The data include full and part-time workers along with new and experienced workers. Self-employed workers are excluded.
Annual employment income data reported in the Work Prospects section, are from the 2011 National Household Survey by Statistics Canada. Much of the data (around 70%) came directly from tax records. The data relates to the year 2010 and includes total wages and salaries and net income from self-employment.
Employment Requirements & Contacts
Training Paths & Education
This instructional program class comprises any program that defines the prescribed requirements, specified by the appropriate jurisdiction, for the completion of and graduation from a secondary school program of academic subject matter offered for adult learners outside of the regular secondary school program. This does not include adult compensatory education programs resulting in completion of a high school equivalency certificate or diploma.
This instructional program class comprises any program that prepares individuals to apply technical knowledge and skills in the laying and/or setting of brick, concrete block, hard tile, marble and related materials, using trowels, levels, hammers, chisels, and other hand tools. These programs include courses in technical mathematics, blueprint reading, structural masonry, decorative masonry, foundations, reinforcement, mortar preparation, cutting and finishing, and applicable codes and standards.