Bricklaying supervisor
Also known as: brickwork foreman, bricklaying foreman, brick laying supervisor, bricksetter supervisor, brickmason supervisor, brickwork supervisor
About this occupation
Bricklaying supervisors monitor bricklaying activities. They assign tasks and take quick decisions to resolve problems.
A specialisation of construction general supervisor.
Essential skills and knowledge
- inspect masonry work
- building codes
- liaise with managers
- supervise staff
- monitor stock level
- inspect supplied concrete
- work in a construction team
- ensure equipment availability
- interpret 2D plans
- plan shifts of employees
- use safety equipment in construction
- ensure compliance with construction project deadline
Typical tasks and preparation
From the related US occupation profile Brickmasons and Blockmasons (O*NET 47-2021.00). Linked by an official crosswalk: related, not identical; details vary by country.
- Measure distance from reference points and mark guidelines to lay out work, using plumb bobs and levels.
- Construct corners by fastening in plumb position a corner pole or building a corner pyramid of bricks, and filling in between the corners using a line from corner to corner to guide each course, or layer, of brick.
- Apply and smooth mortar or other mixture over work surface.
- Calculate angles and courses and determine vertical and horizontal alignment of courses.
- Break or cut bricks, tiles, or blocks to size, using trowel edge, hammer, or power saw.
- Interpret blueprints and drawings to determine specifications and to calculate the materials required.
- Typical education (US)
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)
- Preparation
- Job Zone 2 of 5
- Interests
- Realistic, Conventional, Investigative
Top skills: Critical Thinking, Coordination, Active Listening, Speaking, Monitoring, Operations Monitoring
US median pay: US$62,120 a year (2025), 52,550 employed. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Subjects this work relies on
How important each subject's knowledge is in the job itself, rated by people doing it (1 to 5).
- WoodworkO*NET: Building and ConstructionExtremely important (4.8)
- Mathematics or StatisticsO*NET: MathematicsImportant (3.5)
- English or Literature in EnglishO*NET: English LanguageImportant (3.3)
- Technical DrawingO*NET: DesignImportant (3.1)
- Business Studies or EntrepreneurshipO*NET: Administration and ManagementImportant (3.0)
- MetalworkO*NET: MechanicalImportant (3.0)
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Preparation needed
Job Zone 1-2: Very Little to Some Preparation Needed
- Most common education (US)
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)
- Education
- Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
- Experience
- Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
- Training
- Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training.
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Related occupations
Occupations O*NET links to this one by similar work, skills and knowledge.
- Helpers--Brickmasons, Blockmasons, Stonemasons, and Tile and Marble Setters
- Refractory Materials Repairers, Except Brickmasons
- Stonemasons
- Tile and Stone Setters
- Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers
- Terrazzo Workers and Finishers
- Carpenters
- Floor Layers, Except Carpet, Wood, and Hard Tiles
- Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and Wall
- Construction Laborers
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.