Brickmason Salary - Pacific Coast
Oregon and Washington lead the nation, California adds volume
Wage figures reflect all brickmasons across all employment types -- union and non-union, residential and commercial, apprentice through master. Union journeymen typically earn above the state median. Non-union residential work typically falls below it. State figures are averages -- wages vary significantly between metro and rural markets within the same state. City-level data coming soon.
The Pacific Coast is the highest-paying region for masonry trades in the country alongside the Northeast. Massachusetts leads nationally but Washington at $83,190 median, Oregon at $79,450, and California at $69,050 all rank among the top in the country. Hawaii at $79,250 also performs strongly. Strong BAC presence, dense commercial construction, and a growing tile and stone specialty market drive wages well above the national median.
BAC locals dominate commercial masonry across the Pacific Coast. Washington and Oregon are among the most unionized masonry markets in the country. California is mixed -- heavily unionized in major metros for commercial tile, terrazzo, and brick work. The region's tech and commercial construction boom has created strong demand for precision tile setters and stone masons on high-value interior projects. Hawaii maintains strong union contracts. Alaska has smaller employment numbers but strong project-based rates.
Cost of living is the significant caveat on Pacific Coast masonry wages. California at 140.5 COL significantly offsets the wage advantage. Washington at 114.6 and Oregon at 109.6 are above average. Hawaii at 184.8 is extreme. However Washington's $83,190 median provides strong purchasing power even with above-average housing costs. Travelers should run the numbers carefully for California and Hawaii before committing.
- →Commercial office and mixed-use interior tile and stone work across Seattle, Portland, and the Bay Area
- →High-end residential tile and stone masonry in affluent Pacific Coast markets
- →Healthcare and institutional masonry construction
- →Resort and hospitality tile and terrazzo work in Hawaii
- →Historic preservation and restoration masonry across Pacific Coast cities
The Pacific Coast is a strong destination for traveling masons, particularly tile setters and terrazzo workers. Washington and Oregon BAC locals pay strong scale rates and commercial interior masonry work is consistently active. California's size means opportunities vary -- major metros are strong markets. Hawaii offers exceptional wages for tile and terrazzo specialists but remoteness requires consideration. Check RoadDog Jobs and Where2Bro before making the trip.
Effective wage adjusts the BLS median for cost of living -- what your paycheck actually buys relative to the national average.
| State | Median Annual | COL Index | Effective Wage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | $83,190 +$21,070 vs. national | 114.6 | $72,592 +$10,472 vs. national |
| Oregon | $79,450 +$17,330 vs. national | 109.6 | $72,491 +$10,371 vs. national |
| Hawaii | $79,250 +$17,130 vs. national | 184.8 | $42,884 $-19,236 vs. national |
| California | $69,050 +$6,930 vs. national | 140.5 | $49,146 $-12,974 vs. national |
Wage data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 - Brickmasons - Cross-Industry, All Ownership
Cost of living data provided by the Missouri Economic Research and Information Center (MERIC). The data has been modified for use from its original source, which is the State of Missouri. THE STATE OF MISSOURI MAKES NO REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTY AS TO THE COMPLETENESS, ACCURACY, TIMELINESS, OR CONTENT OF ANY DATA MADE AVAILABLE THROUGH THIS SITE. THE STATE OF MISSOURI EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, WHETHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. Data is subject to change as modifications and updates are complete. Use at your own risk.