Brickmason Salary - Southeast
Large employment base, right-to-work states, wages near or below national median
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 Southeast is a large employment market for masonry trades with wages near or below the national median. Texas employs over 4,300 brickmasons -- the largest state workforce -- but the median of $56,410 is below the national average. Florida, Georgia, and the Carolinas have large masonry workforces driven by residential and commercial construction. Virginia and Tennessee are the stronger performers in the region, pulled upward by major metro markets.
BAC union density is low across most of the Southeast. Right-to-work legislation dominates and non-union masonry contractors handle most residential and commercial work. BAC locals exist in major metros but market share is limited. The exception is major commercial and institutional projects in larger metros -- Nashville, Atlanta, Charlotte -- where union masonry contractors are more prevalent. Restoration and historic preservation work in cities like Charleston, Savannah, and New Orleans commands premium rates even in non-union markets.
The Southeast is the most affordable region for masonry trades. Tennessee at 88.9, Georgia at 90.6, and most Southeast states are well below the national average. The affordability advantage partially compensates for below-median wages. Restoration specialists working in high-demand historic markets can earn well above the state median even in right-to-work environments.
- →Residential brick and masonry construction across Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, and the Carolinas
- →Commercial construction in Atlanta, Charlotte, Nashville, and Raleigh
- →Historic preservation and restoration in Charleston, Savannah, New Orleans, and other historic Southeast cities
- →Healthcare and institutional masonry construction across major Southeast metros
- →Resort and hospitality masonry work in Florida
The Southeast offers work volume but wages below union market rates. Restoration specialists can command above-market rates in historic preservation markets -- Charleston, Savannah, and New Orleans are notable destinations for skilled restoration masons. Nashville and Atlanta are the most active commercial masonry markets in the region. Check RoadDog Jobs and Where2Bro for current openings.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tennessee | $63,850 +$1,730 vs. national | 88.9 | $71,822 +$9,702 vs. national |
| Kentucky | $59,820 $-2,300 vs. national | 92.5 | $64,670 +$2,550 vs. national |
| Louisiana | $57,440 $-4,680 vs. national | 91.1 | $63,052 +$932 vs. national |
| Arkansas | $55,100 $-7,020 vs. national | 89.1 | $61,841 $-279 vs. national |
| Virginia | $54,680 $-7,440 vs. national | 99.1 | $55,177 $-6,943 vs. national |
| Florida | $52,760 $-9,360 vs. national | 100.7 | $52,393 $-9,727 vs. national |
| North Carolina | $49,940 $-12,180 vs. national | 96.6 | $51,698 $-10,422 vs. national |
| Alabama | $49,710 $-12,410 vs. national | 85.0 | $58,482 $-3,638 vs. national |
| South Carolina | $49,010 $-13,110 vs. national | 91.9 | $53,330 $-8,790 vs. national |
| Mississippi | $48,820 $-13,300 vs. national | 86.2 | $56,636 $-5,484 vs. national |
| West Virginia | $46,600 $-15,520 vs. national | 87.9 | $53,015 $-9,105 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.