Thinking about starting a career in masonry

[perriboy]

I am looking into becoming a mason and I want to know what the job is actually like day to day. I know the work is very physical and requires a lot of heavy lifting. I want to understand what the starting pay looks like and how long it takes to become truly skilled. It seems like a solid trade but I want to be prepared for the toll it takes on the body. And I would love to hear any advice from people who have been in the field for a while. But I mostly want to know if the career growth is worth the hard work in the sun. Would you recommend starting with brick or focusing on stone work first?

 

[El VMX]

Look for local apprenticeships to get paid while you learn the basic skills.

 

[the reflection]

@perriboy Practice mixing small batches of mortar to get a feel for the right consistency

 

[wiggle jiggle]

I am looking into becoming a mason and I want to know what the job is actually like day to day. I know the work is very physical and requires a lot of heavy lifting. I want to understand what the starting pay looks like and how long it takes to become truly skilled. It seems like a solid trade but I want to be prepared for the toll it takes on the body. And I would love to hear any advice from people who have been in the field for a while. But I mostly want to know if the career growth is worth the hard work in the sun. Would you recommend starting with brick or focusing on stone work first?

Invest in the best work boots you can find to protect your back and feet.

 

[Alan]

I am looking into becoming a mason and I want to know what the job is actually like day to day. I know the work is very physical and requires a lot of heavy lifting. I want to understand what the starting pay looks like and how long it takes to become truly skilled. It seems like a solid trade but I want to be prepared for the toll it takes on the body. And I would love to hear any advice from people who have been in the field for a while. But I mostly want to know if the career growth is worth the hard work in the sun. Would you recommend starting with brick or focusing on stone work first?

Depend on the type of work you can find. It's not always busy, but when it is busy, it really is busy. Some are out in the sun, some indoor works. A mix of both. Get an apprenticeship if there's any in your area. If there are anything worth fixing at home, do it.

 

[perriboy]

Thanks for your insights! Appreciate it. Do you think it is possible to become a business owner after 3 years?