Skilled Wages

Brickmason salary in North Carolina

Median $24.01 an hour for 1,760 brickmasons, May 2025, with the union scale by county, the job trend since 1999 and the state's own outlook.

$24.01/hrMedian hourly wageNorth Carolina, May data
$49,940/yrMedian annual payfull-time equivalent
$18.40 – $29.6110th to 90th percentilehourly range
1,760Jobs countedemployer survey

Data compiled by Skilled WagesBLS OEWS May 2025; prevailing wage as of 2026-11-13

Brickmason pay in North Carolina: the full range

Wage percentiles, North CarolinaMarket wage, 10th-90th pctU.S. reference$10$20$30$40$50$60/hrNorth Carolina: 10th $18.40 · 25th $21.78 · median $24.01 · 75th $27.70 · 90th $29.61North Carolina$24.01$18.40$29.61United States: 10th $21.55 · 25th $24.57 · median $29.87 · 75th $38.15 · 90th $48.08United States$29.87
Hourly wage percentiles for brickmasons: North Carolina vs United States, May 2025.

North Carolina ranks 44th of 50 states for median brickmason pay, and 44th once adjusted for cost of living (the cost-of-living-adjusted median is $25.46). 1,760 brickmasons work in the state. The top 10% earn 1.6× what the bottom 10% earn.

Career stage (approximate)HourlyAnnualWhere it sits in the distribution
Apprentice / entry level$18.40 – $21.78$38,270 – $45,300roughly the 10th to 25th percentile
Journeyman$21.78 – $27.70$45,300 – $57,620the middle half, around the median
Master, foreman or specialist$27.70 – $29.61$57,620 – $61,590the 75th to 90th percentile and above

Where does your pay fall?



Brickmason pay by metro in North Carolina

Ranked median wages$0$10$20$30/hrCharlotte: $25.24Charlotte$25.24Virginia Beach: $24.22Virginia Beach$24.22Raleigh: $24.00Raleigh$24.00Asheville: $23.23Asheville$23.23Wilmington: $23.17Wilmington$23.17Winston-Salem: $23.03Winston-Salem$23.03Greenville: $21.33Greenville$21.33
Median hourly wage for brickmasons by metro area in North Carolina, May 2025.
Metro10thMedian $/hrCost-of-living adjusted90thJobsvs state
Charlotte$21.08$25.24$25.94$29.667605% above
Virginia Beach$18.87$24.22$24.74$28.874001% above
Raleigh$18.81$24.00$24.44$30.40290about the same as
Asheville$18.47$23.23$24.07$28.35303% below
Wilmington$18.24$23.17$24.04$29.15803% below
Winston-Salem$18.08$23.03$25.03$28.311404% below
Greenville$18.03$21.33$24.13$24.304011% below

Cost-of-living adjusted: median divided by the BEA regional price parity for the metro (2024, US = 100).

Brickmason wages in North Carolina over time

North Carolina, 1999-2025North CarolinaUnited StatesSOC 2010SOC 2018 / Method changeExact wages$10$15$20$25$30$35200020052010201520202025$29.87United States$24.01North Carolina
Median hourly wage for brickmasons, North Carolina vs United States, 1999–2025, nominal dollars.
Table
YearNorth Carolina $/hrIn 2025 $US $/hrJobs
1999$15.45$29.86$19.364,930
2000$15.26$28.53$19.374,880
2001$17.05$30.99$20.005,410
2002$17.17$30.73$20.114,710
2003$17.40$30.44$19.984,700
2004$17.52$29.86$20.074,580
2005$16.03$26.42$20.134,950
2006$17.01$27.16$20.665,340
2007$16.87$26.19$21.195,670
2008$16.99$25.41$21.945,390
2009$16.46$24.70$22.473,850
2010$17.05$25.17$22.562,730
2011$17.71$25.35$22.502,320
2012$17.02$23.87$22.332,230
2013$16.93$23.40$22.412,530
2014$17.38$23.64$22.912,190
2015$17.26$23.44$23.052,310
2016$17.74$23.80$23.682,400
2017$18.01$23.65$23.932,900
2018$18.99$24.35$24.492,660
2019$19.21$24.19$25.532,540
2020$19.62$24.41$26.482,220
2021$22.60$26.85$28.531,740
2022$22.28$24.51$28.371,580
2023$22.85$24.14$28.671,710
2024$23.28$23.89$29.231,670
2025$24.01$24.01$29.871,760

In today's dollars, the median brickmason wage in North Carolina changed by +2.4% over the last ten years of data and by -0.7% since 2019.

Are there more brickmason jobs in North Carolina?

0.4Jobs per 1,000 in the stateconcentration 1.1× the US share, 20th of 49 states

BLS counted 1,760 brickmasons in North Carolina in May 2025, an estimate with a relative standard error of 10%. With fewer than 3,000 jobs or a wide margin of error, year-to-year changes are within the survey's noise and are not shown as a trend.

Outlook for brickmasons in North Carolina

+4.6%Projected growth in North Carolina2024–2034, state agency
180Openings per yeargrowth plus replacements
2,310Jobs in 20242,420 projected for 2034
+1.1%US projected growth2025-35, BLS, for comparison

North Carolina's labor market agency projects the number of brickmasons in the state to change by +4.6% between 2024 and 2034, from 2,310 to 2,420, with about 180 openings a year. Nationally, BLS projects +1.1% over 2025-35. State counts include the self-employed, so the base is larger than the 1,760 counted by the BLS employer survey.

Source: North Carolina labor market information agency via Projections Central, 2024–2034 long-term projections (state projections page).

Union scale and prevailing wage for brickmasons in North Carolina

On federally funded construction in North Carolina, contractors must pay brickmasons at least the Davis-Bacon rate for the county. 0 of the 100 counties with a Building rate use a union contract rate (typical package — an hour including fringe); the rest use a survey rate (typical $22.63). 54 of the 100 counties still use a survey rate dated 2011 or earlier (for example Alleghany County at $22.63). The market median for the state is $24.01.

Union contract rateSurvey rate
Union / prevailing package, $/hr, NCAlamance: $19.37 (survey)Alexander: $19.00 (survey)Alleghany: $22.63 (survey)Anson: $28.94 (survey)Ashe: $22.63 (survey)Avery: $22.63 (survey)Beaufort: $28.11 (survey)Bertie: $28.11 (survey)Bladen: $27.82 (survey)Brunswick: $19.13 (survey)Buncombe: $19.00 (survey)Burke: $19.00 (survey)Cabarrus: $19.00 (survey)Caldwell: $19.00 (survey)Camden: $28.11 (survey)Carteret: $28.11 (survey)Caswell: $22.63 (survey)Catawba: $19.00 (survey)Chatham: $19.37 (survey)Cherokee: $22.63 (survey)Chowan: $28.11 (survey)Clay: $22.63 (survey)Cleveland: $27.82 (survey)Columbus: $27.82 (survey)Craven: $19.13 (survey)Cumberland: $19.13 (survey)Currituck: $19.13 (survey)Dare: $28.11 (survey)Davidson: $19.13 (survey)Davie: $19.13 (survey)Duplin: $27.82 (survey)Durham: $19.37 (survey)Edgecombe: $19.37 (survey)Forsyth: $19.13 (survey)Franklin: $20.42 (survey)Gaston: $19.00 (survey)Gates: $19.13 (survey)Graham: $22.63 (survey)Granville: $22.63 (survey)Greene: $19.00 (survey)Guilford: $19.13 (survey)Halifax: $22.63 (survey)Harnett: $27.82 (survey)Haywood: $19.00 (survey)Henderson: $19.00 (survey)Hertford: $28.11 (survey)Hoke: $19.13 (survey)Hyde: $28.11 (survey)Iredell: $19.00 (survey)Jackson: $22.63 (survey)Johnston: $20.42 (survey)Jones: $19.13 (survey)Lee: $27.82 (survey)Lenoir: $27.82 (survey)Lincoln: $19.00 (survey)McDowell: $22.63 (survey)Macon: $22.63 (survey)Madison: $19.00 (survey)Martin: $28.11 (survey)Mecklenburg: $19.00 (survey)Mitchell: $22.63 (survey)Montgomery: $27.82 (survey)Moore: $27.82 (survey)Nash: $19.37 (survey)New Hanover: $19.13 (survey)Northampton: $22.63 (survey)Onslow: $19.13 (survey)Orange: $19.37 (survey)Pamlico: $19.13 (survey)Pasquotank: $28.11 (survey)Pender: $19.13 (survey)Perquimans: $28.11 (survey)Person: $19.37 (survey)Pitt: $19.37 (survey)Polk: $22.63 (survey)Randolph: $19.13 (survey)Richmond: $27.82 (survey)Robeson: $27.82 (survey)Rockingham: $19.13 (survey)Rowan: $19.00 (survey)Rutherford: $22.63 (survey)Sampson: $27.82 (survey)Scotland: $27.82 (survey)Stanly: $27.82 (survey)Stokes: $19.13 (survey)Surry: $22.63 (survey)Swain: $22.63 (survey)Transylvania: $22.63 (survey)Tyrrell: $28.11 (survey)Union: $19.00 (survey)Vance: $22.63 (survey)Wake: $20.42 (survey)Warren: $22.63 (survey)Washington: $28.11 (survey)Watauga: $22.63 (survey)Wayne: $20.42 (survey)Wilkes: $22.63 (survey)Wilson: $27.82 (survey)Yadkin: $19.13 (survey)Yancey: $22.63 (survey)Union / prevailing package, $/hr$19.13$19.37$22.63$27.82survey rate
Davis-Bacon base + fringe for brickmasons by county, Building construction. Hatched counties use a survey rate rather than a union contract.
Market median vs prevailing wage by countyMarket medianPrevailing (survey)$15$20$25$30/hrCamden (Virginia Beach): market median $24.22, prevailing (survey) $28.11, gap +$3.89Camden (Virginia Beach)+$3.89Moore (North Carolina): market median $24.01, prevailing (survey) $27.82, gap +$3.81Moore (North Carolina)+$3.81Anson (Charlotte): market median $25.24, prevailing (survey) $28.94, gap +$3.70Anson (Charlotte)+$3.70Pitt (Greenville): market median $21.33, prevailing (survey) $19.37, gap −$1.96Pitt (Greenville)−$1.96Franklin (Raleigh): market median $24.00, prevailing (survey) $20.42, gap −$3.58Franklin (Raleigh)−$3.58Davidson (Winston-Salem): market median $23.03, prevailing (survey) $19.13, gap −$3.90Davidson (Winston-Salem)−$3.90Brunswick (Wilmington): market median $23.17, prevailing (survey) $19.13, gap −$4.04Brunswick (Wilmington)−$4.04Buncombe (Asheville): market median $23.23, prevailing (survey) $19.00, gap −$4.23Buncombe (Asheville)−$4.23
Market median (BLS metro wage) vs the Davis-Bacon package (base + fringe) for brickmasons, metro counties in North Carolina.
CountyRate sourceBaseFringeTotalDetermination
AnsonSurvey SUNC2011-002 2011-08-24$19.76$9.18$28.94NC20260021
BeaufortSurvey SUNC2023-001 2011-08-26$19.38$8.73$28.11NC20260062
BertieSurvey SUNC2023-001 2011-08-26$19.38$8.73$28.11NC20260062
CamdenSurvey SUNC2023-001 2011-08-26$19.38$8.73$28.11NC20260062
CarteretSurvey SUNC2023-001 2011-08-26$19.38$8.73$28.11NC20260062
ChowanSurvey SUNC2023-003 2011-08-26$19.38$8.73$28.11NC20260065
DareSurvey SUNC2023-003 2011-08-26$19.38$8.73$28.11NC20260065
HertfordSurvey SUNC2023-001 2011-08-26$19.38$8.73$28.11NC20260062
HydeSurvey SUNC2023-001 2011-08-26$19.38$8.73$28.11NC20260062
MartinSurvey SUNC2023-003 2011-08-26$19.38$8.73$28.11NC20260065
PasquotankSurvey SUNC2011-037 2011-08-26$19.38$8.73$28.11NC20260056
PerquimansSurvey SUNC2011-038 2011-08-26$19.38$8.73$28.11NC20260057
TyrrellSurvey SUNC2023-001 2011-08-26$19.38$8.73$28.11NC20260062
WashingtonSurvey SUNC2023-003 2011-08-26$19.38$8.73$28.11NC20260065
BladenSurvey SUNC2023-002 2011-08-26$19.09$8.73$27.82NC20260063

Building construction type, current revisions as of 2026-11-13. Residential, Heavy and Highway rates differ; look them up on the North Carolina prevailing wage page. This is not the official wage determination.

Is construction work growing in North Carolina?

296.4kConstruction jobsNorth Carolina, 2026-09
+6.0%Change over 12 monthsseasonally unadjusted
Construction employment, 1990-2026100k150k200k250k300k350k19901995200020052010201520202025296kSep 2026
Construction employment in North Carolina (thousands), construction supersector, BLS CES, not seasonally adjusted. Grey bands are recessions.

Keep comparing

Brickmason pay in neighbouring states

Other trades in North Carolina

More on North Carolina

Questions this page answers

How much do brickmasons make in North Carolina?

The median brickmason in North Carolina earned $24.01 an hour ($49,940 a year) in May 2025, 20% below the national median of $29.87. The middle half earn $21.78–$27.70; the top 10% earn more than $29.61.

Where does North Carolina rank for brickmason pay?

North Carolina ranks 44th of 50 states for brickmason pay, with a median of $24.01 an hour, and 44th after adjusting for North Carolina's cost of living (BEA price parity 94.3, US = 100).

What is the union brickmason rate in North Carolina?

Davis-Bacon determinations do not list a brickmason classification for most North Carolina counties, or the trade is not covered; the BLS wage figures above are the best available measure.

How many brickmasons work in North Carolina?

BLS counted 1,760 brickmasons in North Carolina in May 2025, 0.4 per 1,000 jobs (location quotient 1.06; 1.0 is the national average concentration).

Is brickmason work growing in North Carolina?

North Carolina's labor market agency projects +4.6% growth for brickmasons between 2024 and 2034, from 2,310 to 2,420 jobs.

How many brickmason openings a year are there in North Carolina?

North Carolina projects about 180 openings a year for brickmasons over 2024–2034, counting both new positions and replacements for people who retire or change occupation. Nationally BLS projects about 4,100 a year.

Sources and notes

  • BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, North Carolina and metro areas, SOC 47-2021. Job counts are survey estimates and exclude the self-employed.
  • BLS Current Employment Statistics, state construction employment through 2026-09.
  • BLS Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, 2025 annual averages.
  • BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024 (cost-of-living adjustment).
  • SAM.gov Davis-Bacon wage determinations, current revisions as of 2026-11-13. Not the official determination.
  • BLS Employment Projections, national, 2025-35.
  • State projection: North Carolina labor market information agency via Projections Central, 2024–2034, fetched 2026-10-05.