Mason
Description OES Code: 87310
Lay building materials, such as brick, structural tile, concrete, cinder, glass, gypsum, and terra cotta block (except stone), to construct or repair walls, partitions, arches, sewers, and other structures. Include Refractory Brickmasons.

Wages by California County
• OES Survey
• CCOIS Survey

Hours & Benefits
The usual working hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Depending on the union contract, overtime pay is time and a half for the first three hours over eight hours and double time thereafter.

In addition to direct wages paid, employers' contributions pay fringe benefits which include vacation, savings, health and welfare programs, pensions and apprenticeship training.

Employment Trends, California
Employment 1998 30,160
Projected Employment 2008 44,570
Percent Change 1998-2008 47.8%
Separations 1998-2008 8,430

Employment Trends, San Joaquin County
Employment 1999 60
Projected Employment 2006 90
Percent Change 1999-2006 50%
Separations 1999-2006 10

Employment Trends by California County

Getting the Job & Other Information
Some Cement Masons obtain their work through the union. Contractors call the union each morning to hire workers. They sometimes request masons who specialize in particular types of work such as curbs, gutters, steps, form setting, patching, or operating a powerfloat. Cement Masons interested in working for a government agency can apply at the various city, county or State personnel offices. Job seekers may also contact the California Employment Development Department.

Working Conditions
Cement Masons are employed primarily by general contractors and by cement subcontractors; a few work for local governments. They typically work out- of-doors on construction sites. Cement Masons are exposed to most types of weather, except heavy rain or snow, and must work around wet concrete.

Potential hazards include the possibility of falls, falling objects, back injuries, knee injuries and cement poisoning. Protective equipment used by Cement Masons includes rubber boots, gloves, hard hats, knee pads, face respirators (for cement dust) and safety glasses. This work is strenuous and involves much pushing and pulling, reaching and handling, bending and stooping, kneeling and crawling, and walking.

The work may require climbing or working from scaffolds and may also involve lifting and carrying materials weighing up to 100 pounds. Some Cement Masons belong to the Cement Masons' Union. Some locals of this union provide their apprentices with a set of hand tools, boots and knee pads.

Advancement
With experience and good performance, Cement Masons can be appointed to crew leader or superintendent positions by their contractors. They can also become cement contractors which requires a license. The license is issued by the State Contractor's Board and requires four years of journey-level experience and the knowledge to pass the written trade and business tests.

For a list of current job listing, browse CalJOBS or America's Job Bank.

Education and Training
Training for this occupation is through the apprenticeship program provided by the Cement Masons' Union. The apprenticeship consists of three years' on-the-job training and classroom instruction designed to give a broad, working knowledge of the trade.

To become an apprentice a person must be at least 17 years of age and have a job offer from a contractor willing to take her or him as an apprentice. There are no specific educational requirements for becoming an apprentice; however, high school drafting, mathematics and shop courses may be helpful.

Skills & Other Requirements
Before concrete is poured, Cement Masons (also called cement finishers) check the forms (which hold the concrete) to see that they are properly constructed. During the pour, laborers spread the concrete to the desired depth, using shovels and rakes. On small jobs, the Cement Masons may mix or direct the mixing of the concrete and also pour and spread the concrete.

Cement Masons level, smooth, finish and shape the concrete surfaces, using a variety of hand tools such as straightedges, tamps, floats and trowels. Power trowels may be used on large-scale projects, but corners, edges and hard-to-reach places must still be finished by hand. In some projects, machines are used in the leveling and troweling process. Masons mold joints and edges, using hand tools such as edgers, jointers and straightedges. They remove rough spots from surfaces with power grinders, hammers and chisels and patch holes with a fresh cement mixture.

Cement Masons can create desired textures and colors using a variety of brushes, belts, coloring powders and terrazzo (marble) chips. Crew leaders may also direct the preliminary work such as setting forms or grading soil. Cement Masons must be familiar with the characteristics of various cements and concrete mixes and be knowledgeable of the effects of weather upon the curing of concrete.

References
California Occupational Guide: #181

Related Occupation: Tile Setters, Brick Masons, Plasterers & Stucco Masons

Training: California Training and Education Providers (CTEP)