Skilled Wages

Cement mason salary in North Carolina

Median $22.49 an hour for 4,610 cement masons, May 2025, with the union scale by county, the job trend since 1999 and the state's own outlook.

$22.49/hrMedian hourly wageNorth Carolina, May data
$46,780/yrMedian annual payfull-time equivalent
$17.83 – $28.9910th to 90th percentilehourly range
4,610Jobs countedemployer survey

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

Cement mason pay in North Carolina: the full range

Wage percentiles, North CarolinaMarket wage, 10th-90th pctU.S. reference$10$20$30$40$50/hrNorth Carolina: 10th $17.83 · 25th $18.96 · median $22.49 · 75th $24.81 · 90th $28.99North Carolina$22.49$17.83$28.99United States: 10th $18.84 · 25th $22.60 · median $27.41 · 75th $32.15 · 90th $41.10United States$27.41
Hourly wage percentiles for cement masons: North Carolina vs United States, May 2025.

North Carolina ranks 46th of 51 states for median cement mason pay, and 47th once adjusted for cost of living (the cost-of-living-adjusted median is $23.85). 4,610 cement masons 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$17.83 – $18.96$37,090 – $39,450roughly the 10th to 25th percentile
Journeyman$18.96 – $24.81$39,450 – $51,600the middle half, around the median
Master, foreman or specialist$24.81 – $28.99$51,600 – $60,290the 75th to 90th percentile and above

Where does your pay fall?



Cement mason pay by metro in North Carolina

Ranked median wages$0$10$20$30/hrVirginia Beach: $23.84Virginia Beach$23.84Charlotte: $23.17Charlotte$23.17Raleigh: $22.80Raleigh$22.80Greensboro: $22.13Greensboro$22.13Jacksonville: $22.13Jacksonville$22.13Burlington: $21.75Burlington$21.75Asheville: $21.57Asheville$21.57Winston-Salem: $21.48Winston-Salem$21.48Hickory: $21.43Hickory$21.43Durham: $21.36Durham$21.36Wilmington: $21.17Wilmington$21.17Greenville: $18.94Greenville$18.94
Median hourly wage for cement masons by metro area in North Carolina, May 2025.
Metro10thMedian $/hrCost-of-living adjusted90thJobsvs state
Virginia Beach$18.12$23.84$24.35$34.947906% above
Charlotte$18.51$23.17$23.81$30.421,3903% above
Raleigh$18.35$22.80$23.22$30.458701% above
Greensboro$17.81$22.13$23.82$28.924402% below
Jacksonville$18.11$22.13$24.03$30.17502% below
Burlington$18.00$21.75$23.34$28.501103% below
Asheville$17.37$21.57$22.35$27.771404% below
Winston-Salem$17.34$21.48$23.35$27.982104% below
Hickory$7.26$21.43$24.21$27.07705% below
Durham$18.21$21.36$21.89$27.891405% below
Wilmington$16.74$21.17$21.96$27.391506% below
Greenville$14.99$18.94$21.43$24.755016% below
Fayetteville$18.03$18.09$19.66$25.9010020% below

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

Cement mason wages in North Carolina over time

North Carolina, 1999-2025North CarolinaUnited StatesSOC 2010SOC 2018 / Method changeExact wages$5$10$15$20$25$30200020052010201520202025$27.41United States$22.49North Carolina
Median hourly wage for cement masons, North Carolina vs United States, 1999–2025, nominal dollars.
Table
YearNorth Carolina $/hrIn 2025 $US $/hrJobs
1999$11.34$21.91$13.682,670
2000$11.84$22.14$13.504,270
2001$12.13$22.05$14.254,750
2002$12.37$22.14$14.744,760
2003$12.61$22.06$14.805,810
2004$12.43$21.18$15.106,040
2005$12.76$21.03$15.404,990
2006$12.86$20.54$15.705,050
2007$13.27$20.60$16.275,080
2008$14.00$20.93$16.875,720
2009$14.54$21.82$17.044,400
2010$14.54$21.47$17.043,830
2011$14.62$20.92$17.113,130
2012$14.68$20.58$17.193,850
2013$15.25$21.08$17.374,140
2014$15.67$21.31$17.674,390
2015$15.81$21.47$18.144,120
2016$16.38$21.97$18.844,340
2017$17.27$22.68$19.544,440
2018$18.28$23.44$20.674,320
2019$18.65$23.49$21.544,880
2020$18.56$23.09$22.125,770
2021$18.84$22.38$22.765,990
2022$21.57$23.73$23.225,190
2023$22.19$23.45$24.385,460
2024$22.78$23.38$26.284,170
2025$22.49$22.49$27.414,610

In today's dollars, the median cement mason wage in North Carolina changed by +4.7% over the last ten years of data and by -4.2% since 2019.

Are there more cement mason jobs in North Carolina?

-5.5%Jobs since 20194,880 then, 4,610 in 2025
+11.9%Jobs over 10 years2015 to 2025, employer survey
0.9Jobs per 1,000 in the stateconcentration 0.7× the US share, 35th of 51 states

Since 1999, the number of cement masons counted in North Carolina has changed by +72.7%, against +35.9% for the country as a whole. Since 2019 the state count changed by -5.5%.

Cement masons and concrete finishers in North Carolina vs United States, 1999 = 100North CarolinaUnited StatesSOC 2010SOC 2018 / Method changeExact wages50100150200250200020052010201520202025173North Carolina136United States
Jobs counted by the BLS employer survey, North Carolina vs United States, indexed to 1999 = 100. Shaded bands mark survey method changes.
Table
YearNorth Carolina jobsNorth Carolina indexUS index
19992,670100100
20004,270160112
20014,750178116
20024,760178117
20035,810218119
20046,040226126
20054,990187135
20065,050189144
20075,080190141
20085,720214133
20094,400165109
20103,83014393
20113,13011789
20123,85014489
20134,14015594
20144,390164100
20154,120154108
20164,340162115
20174,440166118
20184,320162123
20194,880183129
20205,770216129
20215,990224123
20225,190194130
20235,460204134
20244,170156135
20254,610173136

Job counts are BLS OEWS survey estimates built from three years of samples, so moves of a few percent from one year to the next are within the survey's margin. Self-employed tradespeople are not counted. Areas with fewer than 3,000 jobs or a large sampling error are shown as a single figure rather than a trend.

Outlook for cement masons in North Carolina

+2.1%Projected growth in North Carolina2024–2034, state agency
290Openings per yeargrowth plus replacements
4,240Jobs in 20244,330 projected for 2034
+1.6%US projected growth2025-35, BLS, for comparison

North Carolina's labor market agency projects the number of cement masons in the state to change by +2.1% between 2024 and 2034, from 4,240 to 4,330, with about 290 openings a year. Nationally, BLS projects +1.6% over 2025-35. State counts include the self-employed and use a different base year, so they do not match the 4,610 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 cement masons in North Carolina

On federally funded construction in North Carolina, contractors must pay cement masons 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 $14.02). 54 of the 100 counties still use a survey rate dated 2011 or earlier (for example Alleghany County at $14.02). The market median for the state is $22.49.

Union contract rateSurvey rate
Union / prevailing package, $/hr, NCAlamance: $17.86 (survey)Alexander: $18.79 (survey)Alleghany: $14.02 (survey)Anson: $16.41 (survey)Ashe: $14.02 (survey)Avery: $14.02 (survey)Beaufort: $14.02 (survey)Bertie: $14.02 (survey)Bladen: $14.02 (survey)Brunswick: $16.72 (survey)Buncombe: $18.79 (survey)Burke: $18.79 (survey)Cabarrus: $18.79 (survey)Caldwell: $18.79 (survey)Camden: $14.02 (survey)Carteret: $14.02 (survey)Caswell: $14.02 (survey)Catawba: $18.79 (survey)Chatham: $17.86 (survey)Cherokee: $14.02 (survey)Chowan: $14.02 (survey)Clay: $14.02 (survey)Cleveland: $14.02 (survey)Columbus: $14.02 (survey)Craven: $16.72 (survey)Cumberland: $16.72 (survey)Currituck: $16.72 (survey)Dare: $14.02 (survey)Davidson: $18.22 (survey)Davie: $18.22 (survey)Duplin: $14.02 (survey)Durham: $17.86 (survey)Edgecombe: $17.86 (survey)Forsyth: $18.22 (survey)Franklin: $17.94 (survey)Gaston: $18.79 (survey)Gates: $16.72 (survey)Graham: $14.02 (survey)Granville: $14.02 (survey)Greene: $15.50 (survey)Guilford: $18.91 (survey)Halifax: $14.02 (survey)Harnett: $14.02 (survey)Haywood: $18.79 (survey)Henderson: $18.79 (survey)Hertford: $14.02 (survey)Hoke: $16.72 (survey)Hyde: $14.02 (survey)Iredell: $18.79 (survey)Jackson: $14.02 (survey)Johnston: $17.94 (survey)Jones: $16.72 (survey)Lee: $14.02 (survey)Lenoir: $14.02 (survey)Lincoln: $18.79 (survey)McDowell: $14.02 (survey)Macon: $14.02 (survey)Madison: $18.79 (survey)Martin: $14.02 (survey)Mecklenburg: $18.79 (survey)Mitchell: $14.02 (survey)Montgomery: $14.02 (survey)Moore: $14.02 (survey)Nash: $17.86 (survey)New Hanover: $16.72 (survey)Northampton: $14.02 (survey)Onslow: $16.72 (survey)Orange: $17.86 (survey)Pamlico: $16.72 (survey)Pasquotank: $14.02 (survey)Pender: $16.72 (survey)Perquimans: $14.02 (survey)Person: $17.86 (survey)Pitt: $17.86 (survey)Polk: $14.02 (survey)Randolph: $19.16 (survey)Richmond: $14.02 (survey)Robeson: $14.02 (survey)Rockingham: $19.16 (survey)Rowan: $18.79 (survey)Rutherford: $14.02 (survey)Sampson: $14.02 (survey)Scotland: $14.02 (survey)Stanly: $14.02 (survey)Stokes: $18.22 (survey)Surry: $14.02 (survey)Swain: $14.02 (survey)Transylvania: $14.02 (survey)Tyrrell: $14.02 (survey)Union: $18.79 (survey)Vance: $14.02 (survey)Wake: $17.94 (survey)Warren: $14.02 (survey)Washington: $14.02 (survey)Watauga: $14.02 (survey)Wayne: $17.94 (survey)Wilkes: $14.02 (survey)Wilson: $14.02 (survey)Yadkin: $18.22 (survey)Yancey: $14.02 (survey)Union / prevailing package, $/hr$16.72$18.22survey rate
Davis-Bacon base + fringe for cement masons 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$17.50$20$22.50$25/hrPitt (Greenville): market median $18.94, prevailing (survey) $17.86, gap −$1.08Pitt (Greenville)−$1.08Cumberland (Fayetteville): market median $18.09, prevailing (survey) $16.72, gap −$1.37Cumberland (Fayetteville)−$1.37Alexander (Hickory): market median $21.43, prevailing (survey) $18.79, gap −$2.64Alexander (Hickory)−$2.64Buncombe (Asheville): market median $21.57, prevailing (survey) $18.79, gap −$2.78Buncombe (Asheville)−$2.78Randolph (Greensboro): market median $22.13, prevailing (survey) $19.16, gap −$2.97Randolph (Greensboro)−$2.97Davidson (Winston-Salem): market median $21.48, prevailing (survey) $18.22, gap −$3.26Davidson (Winston-Salem)−$3.26Chatham (Durham): market median $21.36, prevailing (survey) $17.86, gap −$3.50Chatham (Durham)−$3.50Alamance (Burlington): market median $21.75, prevailing (survey) $17.86, gap −$3.89Alamance (Burlington)−$3.89Cabarrus (Charlotte): market median $23.17, prevailing (survey) $18.79, gap −$4.38Cabarrus (Charlotte)−$4.38Brunswick (Wilmington): market median $21.17, prevailing (survey) $16.72, gap −$4.45Brunswick (Wilmington)−$4.45Wayne (North Carolina): market median $22.49, prevailing (survey) $17.94, gap −$4.55Wayne (North Carolina)−$4.55Franklin (Raleigh): market median $22.80, prevailing (survey) $17.94, gap −$4.86Franklin (Raleigh)−$4.86Onslow (Jacksonville): market median $22.13, prevailing (survey) $16.72, gap −$5.41Onslow (Jacksonville)−$5.41Currituck (Virginia Beach): market median $23.84, prevailing (survey) $16.72, gap −$7.12Currituck (Virginia Beach)−$7.12
Market median (BLS metro wage) vs the Davis-Bacon package (base + fringe) for cement masons, metro counties in North Carolina.
CountyRate sourceBaseFringeTotalDetermination
RandolphSurvey SUNC2018-024 2023-08-08$18.36$0.80$19.16NC20260127
RockinghamSurvey SUNC2018-024 2023-08-08$18.36$0.80$19.16NC20260127
GuilfordSurvey SUNC2018-006 2023-08-08$18.11$0.80$18.91NC20260006
AlexanderSurvey SUNC2018-025 2023-08-08$18.79$0.00$18.79NC20260014
BuncombeSurvey SUNC2018-016 2023-08-08$18.79$0.00$18.79NC20260016
BurkeSurvey SUNC2018-025 2023-08-08$18.79$0.00$18.79NC20260014
CabarrusSurvey SUNC2018-017 2023-08-08$18.79$0.00$18.79NC20260017
CaldwellSurvey SUNC2018-025 2023-08-08$18.79$0.00$18.79NC20260014
CatawbaSurvey SUNC2018-002 2023-08-08$18.79$0.00$18.79NC20260002
GastonSurvey SUNC2018-005 2023-08-08$18.79$0.00$18.79NC20260005
HaywoodSurvey SUNC2018-016 2023-08-08$18.79$0.00$18.79NC20260016
HendersonSurvey SUNC2018-016 2023-08-08$18.79$0.00$18.79NC20260016
IredellSurvey SUNC2018-007 2023-08-08$18.79$0.00$18.79NC20260007
LincolnSurvey SUNC2018-017 2023-08-08$18.79$0.00$18.79NC20260017
MadisonSurvey SUNC2018-016 2023-08-08$18.79$0.00$18.79NC20260016

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

Cement mason pay in neighbouring states

Other trades in North Carolina

More on North Carolina

Questions this page answers

How much do cement masons make in North Carolina?

The median cement mason in North Carolina earned $22.49 an hour ($46,780 a year) in May 2025, 18% below the national median of $27.41. The middle half earn $18.96–$24.81; the top 10% earn more than $28.99.

Where does North Carolina rank for cement mason pay?

North Carolina ranks 46th of 51 states for cement mason pay, with a median of $22.49 an hour, and 47th after adjusting for North Carolina's cost of living (BEA price parity 94.3, US = 100).

What is the union cement mason rate in North Carolina?

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

How many cement masons work in North Carolina?

BLS counted 4,610 cement masons in North Carolina in May 2025, 0.9 per 1,000 jobs (location quotient 0.70; 1.0 is the national average concentration).

Is cement mason work growing in North Carolina?

The BLS employer survey count of cement masons in North Carolina went from 4,120 in 2015 to 4,610 in 2025, +11.9%, and -5.5% since 2019. North Carolina's labor market agency projects +2.1% growth for cement masons between 2024 and 2034, from 4,240 to 4,330 jobs.

How many cement mason openings a year are there in North Carolina?

North Carolina projects about 290 openings a year for cement masons over 2024–2034, counting both new positions and replacements for people who retire or change occupation. Nationally BLS projects about 13,600 a year.

Sources and notes

  • BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, North Carolina and metro areas, SOC 47-2051. 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.