Bricklayer
Bricklayers prepare and lay brick and other masonry units to construct and repair structures such as walls, partitions, patios, arches, fireplaces and chimneys.
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Construction Tradesperson, Mason
In Canada, the federal government groups and organizes occupations based on a National Occupational Classification (NOC) system. This alis occupation may not reflect the entire NOC group it is part of. Data for the NOC group can apply across multiple occupations.
The NOC system is updated every 5 years to reflect changes in the labour market. Government forms and labour market data may group and refer to an occupation differently, depending on the system used.
Here is how this occupation has been classified over time.
2006 NOC
2006 NOC-S
2011 NOC
2016 NOC
2021 NOC
2023 OaSIS
Bricklayers work with masonry materials such as brick, concrete block, stone, structural tile and precast panels. They also lay or install firebrick or castable materials in commercial and industrial furnaces and incinerators, and acid tile and acid brick for various industrial purposes such as pulp mills.
Duties vary from one position to another but, in general, bricklayers:
Bricklayers usually work outdoors, often on scaffolding. On industrial work sites, it is common for refractory bricklayers to work in confined spaces and at some heights. They sometimes use protective enclosures and portable heaters in adverse weather conditions.
Bricklayers work a 5-day, 40-hour week. Overtime is sometimes required to meet construction schedules.
The work is physically demanding and requires handling items that weigh up to 25 kilograms. Some travel may be required to get to work sites.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2006 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
Interest in precision working to lay bricks and other masonry units to build residential and commercial chimneys and fireplaces; to lay radial bricks to build masonry shells of industrial chimneys; to lay and install firebricks to line industrial chimneys and smokestacks; to lay bricks, stone and similar materials to provide veneers to walls and other surfaces; to lay bricks and other masonry units to build patios, garden walls and other decorative installations; and to cut and trim bricks and concrete blocks using hand and power tools
Interest in lining and relining furnaces, kilns, boilers and similar installations using refractory and acid-resistant bricks, refractory concretes, plastic refractories and other materials; may restore, clean and paint existing masonry structures
Interest in compiling information to construct and install prefabricated masonry units
To identify or change your interest codes, complete the Interests Exercise in CAREERinsite.
The interest code helps you figure out if you’d like to work in a particular occupation.
It’s based on the Canadian Work Preference Inventory (CWPI), which measures 5 occupational interests: Directive, Innovative, Methodical, Objective, and Social.
Each set of 3 interest codes for this NOC group is listed in order of importance.
A code in capital letters means it’s a strong fit for the occupation.
A code in all lowercase letters means the fit is weaker.
To fill in or change the values for your abilities, complete the Abilities Exercise in CAREERinsite.
A Quick Guide
You are born with abilities that help you process certain types of information and turn it into action. These abilities influence which skills you can learn more easily.
The abilities or aptitudes shown for this NOC group come from the General Aptitude Test Battery (GATB). The GATB measures 9 aptitudes. It groups them into 3 categories: mental, visual, and physical.
The abilities scores range from 1 to 5, with 5 being stronger.
Bricklayers need:
They should enjoy working with their hands on a variety of projects, which sometimes require creativity.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
This chart shows which job skills are currently in highest demand for this occupational group. It was created using this occupation's 105 most recent Alberta job postings, collected between Nov 02, 2021 and Oct 09, 2024.
Review these skills to learn:
Tasks: Prepare and lay bricks, concrete blocks, structural tiles or other masonry units | 67 |
---|---|
Tasks: Lay bricks, stone or similar materials to provide veneer facing | 66 |
Tasks: Cut and trim bricks and concrete blocks to specification using hand and power tools | 62 |
Tasks: Construct and install prefabricated masonry units | 60 |
Tasks: Read sketches and blueprints to calculate materials required | 51 |
Experience: 3 years to less than 5 years | 47 |
Work Setting: Construction | 39 |
Tasks: Lay radial bricks to build masonry shells of industrial chimneys | 39 |
Construction Specialization: Team player | 35 |
Tasks: Work at heights, on scaffolding or swing stages | 35 |
Bricklayers must know the properties of mortars and other bonding materials, and how to handle different types of masonry units.
To work in Alberta, a bricklayer must be ONE of the following:
To register with Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training, apprentices must find a suitable employer who is willing to hire and train them. They must also meet ONE of the following:
The term of apprenticeship is 3 years (three 12-month periods) that include a minimum of 1,600 hours of on-the-job training and 8 weeks of classroom instruction each year.
High school students can earn credits toward apprenticeship training and a high school diploma at the same time through the Registered Apprenticeship Program (RAP). Applicants who have related training or work experience may be eligible for admission, credit, or certification. Credits may reduce the period of apprenticeship.
Bricklayer apprentices may take the interprovincial exam in the final period of their apprenticeship training to earn a Red Seal (certification recognized in most parts of Canada).
Classroom instruction is arranged by Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training. For more information, see the Apprenticeship Training Catalogue.
The following schools offer programs or courses that are related to this occupation but are not required to enter the field.
To expand or narrow your program options, visit Post-Secondary Programs and start your search with:
Completing a program does not guarantee entrance into an occupation. Before enrolling in an education program, prospective students should look into various sources for education options and employment possibilities. For example, contact associations and employers in this field.
Certain professional titles or duties within this occupation are protected by provincial legislation. Requirements vary if you use these titles or perform these duties.
The related legislation is shown below. If there are multiple related legislations, select a certification heading to learn about each one.
Bricklayers prepare and lay brick and other masonry units to construct and repair structures such as walls, partitions, patios, arches, fireplaces and chimneys. For more information, see the Designated Trades Profile on Alberta’s Tradesecrets website.
Under Alberta’s Skilled Trades and Apprenticeship Education Act [pdf], you do not have to be certified if you are self-employed or work for an employer who is satisfied that you have the skills and knowledge expected of a journeyperson certified by Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training. To learn the trade, you must become a registered apprentice.
For information on what you need and other details, visit the certification profile Bricklayer.
Certified tradespeople who want to build their business skills may obtain an Achievement in Business Competencies (Blue Seal) Certificate from Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training.
Source: 2021-2025 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook
Bricklayers are employed by trade, building and general contractors. Some bricklayers are self-employed, usually contracting on small jobs such as patios and fireplaces. Many bricklayers stay in the trade until they retire. Others move into estimator, inspector or supervisor positions.
This section shows the industries where the majority of people in this occupation work. The data is based on the 2016 Census.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.
Bricklayers
2016 NOC: 7281
92.3% of people in this occupational group work in:
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.
This section shows the short-term demand forecasted for this occupation in Alberta over a 3-year period. It also shows the number of people employed in the occupation.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2021 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.
Source: 2023-2025 Alberta Short-Term Employment Forecast
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.
To see data for all occupations, visit Occupations in Demand.
This section shows the employment outlook for this occupation in Alberta over a 5-year period.
Employment outlook is influenced by a wide variety of factors including:
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.
Source: 2021-2025 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook
Annual growth is from 2021 to 2025. New positions created each year are in addition to job openings created by employment turnover.
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.
Bricklayers may experience periods of unemployment during an economic downturn when construction slows down or during cold weather.
Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.
Journeyperson bricklayers wage vary, but generally range from $30 to $42 an hour for red brick and $45 to $50 an hour for the refractory sector, plus benefits (2019 estimates). Apprentices earn at least 60% of the journeyperson wage rate in their place of employment in the first year, 80% in the second and 90% in the third.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
Unless otherwise noted, the data shown here is for all industries and all regions in Alberta.
All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production), and other forms of compensation.
To see the full survey data for this NOC group, visit the wage profile.
Other wage sources
To make an informed wage and salary decision, research other wage sources [pdf] to supplement this data.
Good Reliability, represents a CV of between 6.01% and 15.00% and/or fewer than 30 survey observations and/or if survey observations represent less than 50% of all estimated employment for the occupation.
Wages* | Low (5th percentile) | High (95th percentile) | Average | Median |
---|---|---|---|---|
Starting | $18.00 | $40.31 | $34.03 | $34.47 |
Overall | $20.89 | $47.14 | $40.97 | $41.44 |
Top | $20.89 | $58.37 | $46.77 | $44.85 |
Swipe left and right to view all data. Scroll left and right to view all data.
* All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production) and other forms of compensation.
Pay brackets for hourly wages
ALL INDUSTRIES | $86,045 |
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Construction | $86,045 |
Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training website: tradesecrets.alberta.ca
BuildForce Canada website: www.buildforce.ca
Masonry Contractors Association of Alberta website: www.mca-canada.com
Get information and referrals about career, education, and employment options from Alberta Supports.
Updated Mar 31, 2020. The information contained in this profile is current as of the dates shown. Salary, employment outlook, and educational program information may change without notice. It is advised that you confirm this information before making any career decisions.