How to become a stonemason

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

Steps to get there

Most employers expect usually requires a high school diploma or ged, though some occupations may not..Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.

What stonemasons do

• 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 that matter most

• Critical Thinking
• Reading Comprehension
• Active Listening
• Speaking
• Mathematics
• Monitoring
• Active Learning
• Writing

Is stonemason a good career?

On the numbers, this job pays above the typical job. Median pay is 13% above the all-occupation median. Whether it fits you depends on the work itself, the schooling you are willing to do and where you want to live.

Where it pays most

• Wisconsin $82,740
• Nevada $79,600
• Washington $78,010
• Vermont $65,950
• Montana $61,040

Stonemasons salary by state and city

Sources: O*NET® 31.0 (CC BY 4.0, USDOL/ETA) and BLS Employment Projections 2025–35. Pay: BLS OEWS May 2025.