Stonemasons

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

Industry: Construction and Extraction

Other Job Titles for Stonemasons:

• Realistic: Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.
• Investigative: Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.
• Artistic: Artistic occupations frequently involve working with forms, designs and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules.
• Social: Social occupations frequently involve working with, communicating with, and teaching people. These occupations often involve helping or providing service to others.
• Enterprising: Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.
• Conventional: Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.
• First Interest High-Point: Primary-Rank Descriptiveness
• Second Interest High-Point: Secondary-Cutoff/Rank Descriptiveness
• Third Interest High-Point: Tertiary-Cutoff/Rank Descriptiveness

• Lay out wall patterns or foundations, using straight edge, rule, or staked lines.
• Shape, trim, face and cut marble or stone preparatory to setting, using power saws, cutting equipment, and hand tools.
• Set vertical and horizontal alignment of structures, using plumb bob, gauge line, and level.
• Mix mortar or grout and pour or spread mortar or grout on marble slabs, stone, or foundation.
• 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.
• Set stone or marble in place, according to layout or pattern.
• Clean excess mortar or grout from surface of marble, stone, or monument, using sponge, brush, water, or acid.
• Lay brick to build shells of chimneys and smokestacks or to line or reline industrial furnaces, kilns, boilers and similar installations.
• Replace broken or missing masonry units in walls or floors.
• Smooth, polish, and bevel surfaces, using hand tools and power tools.
• Drill holes in marble or ornamental stone and anchor brackets in holes.
• Repair cracked or chipped areas of stone or marble, using blowtorch and mastic, and remove rough or defective spots from concrete, using power grinder or chisel and hammer.
• Remove sections of monument from truck bed, and guide stone onto foundation, using skids, hoist, or truck crane.
• Construct and install prefabricated masonry units.
• Dig trench for foundation of monument, using pick and shovel.
• Position mold along guidelines of wall, press mold in place, and remove mold and paper from wall.
• Line interiors of molds with treated paper and fill molds with composition-stone mixture.
• Fasten roof panel edges and machine-made molding to structures, nailing or welding pieces into place.
• Rotate cleaning rods manually, using turning pins.
• Clean and disinfect domestic basements and other areas flooded by sewer stoppages.
• Tap mainline sewers to install sewer saddles.
• Update sewer maps and manhole charts.
• Punch holes in slate, tile, terra cotta, or wooden shingles, using punches and hammers.
• Operate tie-adzing machines to cut ties and permit insertion of fishplates that hold rails.
• Paint railroad signs, such as speed limits and gate-crossing warnings.
• Turn valves to control air and water output of compressors and pumps.
• Operate equipment to demolish and remove debris and to remove snow from streets, roads, and parking lots.
• Operate conveyors to remove grit and debris from digesters.
• Compile cost estimates for jobs.
• Operate hoists to lift power line poles into position.

Emerging Tasks

• Hire, train, and supervise new employees and apprentices.
• Dust rocks after bolting.
• Install various types of bolts including truss, glue, and resin bolts, traversing entire ceiling spans.
• Perform safety checks on equipment before operating.
• Perform tests to determine whether methane gas is present.
• Perform ventilation tasks such as hanging ventilation curtains and tubes.
• Pull down loose rock that cannot be supported.

• Analyzing Data or Information: Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
• Assisting and Caring for Others: Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
• Coaching and Developing Others: Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.
• Communicating with Persons Outside Organization: Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates: Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
• Controlling Machines and Processes: Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
• Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others: Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.
• Developing and Building Teams: Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.
• Developing Objectives and Strategies: Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.
• Documenting/Recording Information: Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
• Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment: Providing documentation, detailed instructions, drawings, or specifications to tell others about how devices, parts, equipment, or structures are to be fabricated, constructed, assembled, modified, maintained, or used.
• Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships: Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
• Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information: Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.
• Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards: Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
• Getting Information: Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates: Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.
• Handling and Moving Objects: Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events: Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
• Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material: Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
• Interacting With Computers: Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
• Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others: Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
• Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People: Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems: Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
• Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings: Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
• Monitoring and Controlling Resources: Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money.
• Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment: Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.
• Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work: Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
• Performing Administrative Activities: Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.
• Performing for or Working Directly with the Public: Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
• Performing General Physical Activities: Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.
• Processing Information: Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
• Provide Consultation and Advice to Others: Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.
• Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment: Servicing, repairing, calibrating, regulating, fine-tuning, or testing machines, devices, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of electrical or electronic (not mechanical) principles.
• Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment: Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of mechanical (not electronic) principles.
• Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others: Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.
• Scheduling Work and Activities: Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
• Selling or Influencing Others: Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions.
• Staffing Organizational Units: Recruiting, interviewing, selecting, hiring, and promoting employees in an organization.
• Thinking Creatively: Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
• Training and Teaching Others: Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.
• Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge: Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.

Detailed Work Activities

• adhere to safety procedures
• apply adhesives, caulking, sealants, or coatings
• apply cleaning solvents
• apply grouting or other masonry adhesives
• apply plaster, stucco or related material
• build or repair masonry structures, including kilns or furnaces
• build or repair structures in construction, repair, or manufacturing setting
• climb ladders, scaffolding, or utility or telephone poles
• construct molds
• cut or shape stone, tile, brick, or related material
• dig holes or trenches for foundations, posts, poles, or related items
• erect scaffold
• fabricate, assemble, or disassemble manufactured products by hand
• finish concrete surfaces
• inspect premises or structure for evidence of deterioration or damage
• install prefabricated building components
• lay or install brick, block, stone, tile, or related masonry material
• lay out masonry work
• measure tile or masonry materials
• mix mortar, grout, slurry, concrete, or related masonry material
• mix paint, ingredients, or chemicals, according to specifications
• move or fit heavy objects
• operate crane in construction, manufacturing or repair setting
• operate hoist, winch, or hydraulic boom
• perform safety inspections in construction or resource extraction setting
• prepare site or surfaces for concrete or masonry work
• read blueprints
• read tape measure
• read technical drawings
• repair or replace damaged bricks, tile, or related masonry
• select masonry material to be installed according to specifications
• understand construction specifications
• use building or land use regulations
• use hand or power tools
• use measuring devices in construction or extraction work
• verify levelness or verticality, using level or plumb bob
• use combination welding procedures
• use hand or power tools
• use machine tools in installation, maintenance, or repair
• use measuring devices in construction or extraction work
• use precision measuring tools or equipment
• use soldering equipment
• weld together metal parts, components, or structures
• use pipe fitting equipment
• use pressure gauges
• use soldering equipment
• verify levelness or verticality, using level or plumb bob
• weld together metal parts, components, or structures
• use oscilloscopes in electronics repair
• use soldering equipment
• use voltmeter, ammeter, or ohmmeter
• use hazardous materials information
• use measuring devices in construction or extraction work
• use spray paint equipment
• use surfacing machine to polish terrazzo or concrete
• verify levelness or verticality, using level or plumb bob
• work as a team member
• understand construction specifications
• use basic carpentry techniques
• use basic plumbing techniques
• use building materials for routine building maintenance
• use building or land use regulations
• use concrete fabrication techniques
• use hand or power tools
• use hand or power woodworking tools
• use hazardous materials information
• use measuring devices in construction or extraction work
• use oral or written communication techniques
• verify trueness of structure using plumb bob or level
• weld together metal parts, components, or structures

Overall Experience
Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.

Job Training
Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers.

Education
Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree. Some may require a bachelor's degree.

Examples
These occupations usually involve using communication and organizational skills to coordinate, supervise, manage, or train others to accomplish goals. Examples include funeral directors, electricians, forest and conservation technicians, legal secretaries, interviewers, and insurance sales agents.

• Average hourly wage (2007) -$17.76
• Average annual wage (2007) - $36,950.00

• Projected growth (2006-2016): 9.96%
• Projected need (2006-2016): 2,374
• Employment (2006): 23,844

• Construction Carpenters
• Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers
• Helpers--Brickmasons, Blockmasons, Stonemasons, and Tile and Marble Setters
• Reinforcing Iron and Rebar Workers
• Rough Carpenters
• Tile and Marble Setters
• Semiconductor Processors
• Tool and Die Makers
• Welders, Cutters, and Welder Fitters
• Tile and Marble Setters