Bricklayer / Mason
BAC Local 1 Minnesota
Lay brick, block, stone, and tile to build the walls, facades, and floors that define buildings inside and out.
Starting Pay
$23.96/hr
1st year apprentice
Journeyman Pay
$49.91/hr
~$100k/year
Apprenticeship
3 years
earn while you learn
Total Package
$135,000+
wages + benefits
Overview
The Work
Bricklayers and masons from BAC Local 1 Minnesota lay brick, concrete block, stone, and tile on commercial and residential projects throughout the state. The work spans exterior facades (brick and stone veneer on office buildings and schools), structural block work, fireplace construction, and interior tile work in kitchens, bathrooms, and commercial spaces. It's precise, skilled work that requires a good eye, physical endurance, and deep knowledge of mortar, bond patterns, and structural loading.
Day One as an Apprentice
Day one on a masonry crew you'll be mixing mortar, moving materials, and watching how your journeyman bricklayer reads the plans and lays out the work. You'll be handing up brick and block before you're trusted to lay independently — but skilled journeymen are patient mentors, and you'll be laying on your own sooner than you expect.
This trade is
Pay Scale
Pay increases each year of the apprenticeship as a percentage of the journeyman rate. All rates are hourly; estimated annual at 2,000 hrs/year.
| Year | Stage | Hourly | Annual Est. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1st Year Apprentice | $23.96/hr | ~$48k |
| 2 | 2nd Year Apprentice | $29.95/hr | ~$60k |
| 3 | 3rd Year Apprentice | $37.43/hr | ~$75k |
| 4 | Journeyman Mason | $49.91/hr | ~$100k |
Benefits Package
Health and dental coverage through the BAC Health & Welfare Fund. Pension and annuity contributions on every hour worked. The shorter 3-year apprenticeship means faster access to full journeyman wages.
Apprenticeship Program
3 years
Program Length
432 hrs
Classroom Hours
5,400 hrs
On-the-Job Hours
How to Apply
Contact BAC Local 1 Minnesota or visit bac1mn.org. Requirements include a high school diploma or GED, a valid driver's license, and passing a drug test. Some locals require a basic aptitude test. Applications are accepted year-round but most hiring happens before spring construction season.
Application Windows
Applications accepted year-round. Highest hiring in spring (March–May) before construction season.
Requirements
General Requirements
- High school diploma or GED
- Valid driver's license
- 17 years of age
- Pass a drug test
- Basic math skills — geometry and measurement
Physical Requirements
- Heavy repetitive lifting — brick, block, and mortar
- Kneeling, squatting, and bending for extended periods
- Work outdoors in all seasons
- Manual dexterity for precise mortar and tile work
Tools You'll Need
- Brick trowel and margin trowel
- Mason's hammer and chisel
- Level, plumb bob, and chalk line
- Mixing paddles and mortar mixing equipment (usually provided)
Physical Demand
4/5
Technical Level
3/5
Union Hall
Local Union
BAC Local 1 Minnesota
Address
312 Central Ave SE, Suite 328
Minneapolis, MN 55414
Phone
(612) 379-2966Market Outlook
Steady Demand
MN DEED projects 4% growth for brickmasons and blockmasons (SOC 47-2021) 2022–2032 with about 150 annual openings, slightly above the BLS national projection of 3% 2024–2034.
Next Steps
Ready to learn more or apply? Here's what to do right now.
Wage source: Journeyman base hourly rate is sourced from the Minnesota Department of Labor & Industry Commercial Prevailing Wage Schedule (effective 2025-12-22), which is derived from the prevailing collective bargaining agreement for Statewide (MN, ND, SD). Total package (with fringe benefits) is higher than the base rate shown. Apprentice progression rates are calculated as standard percentages of journeyman scale and may differ slightly from the actual CBA. This page is not affiliated with BAC Local 1 Minnesota or any union. Verify all information — including current pay rates, application windows, and requirements — directly with BAC Local 1 Minnesota.