Construction firms use software for estimates, layouts and schedules. Masonry workers, including brickmasons, blockmasons, stonemasons and cement masons, still build walls, set stone and place and finish concrete by hand and with tools.
The short answer: AI exposure is close to zero for this job, and the BLS outlook turns on building methods and materials. The ILO's 2025 index rates bricklayers, stonemasons and concrete finishers as not exposed, with scores from 0.09 to 0.11. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 1 percent growth for masonry workers from 2025 to 2035, with about 18,400 openings a year, mostly from replacing workers who leave. Projections are estimates, not guarantees.
How exposed masonry workers are
The International Labour Organization scores occupations' tasks from 0 (cannot be automated with generative AI) to 1 (could be done without a human operator), and groups them into gradients from 1 to 4, with 4 the most exposed; below them sit minimal exposure and not exposed (ILO Working Paper 140, 2025).
| Occupation (ISCO-08) | ILO category | Mean task score (0 to 1) |
|---|---|---|
| Bricklayers and Related Workers | Not exposed | 0.09 |
| Stonemasons, Stone Cutters, Splitters and Carvers | Not exposed | 0.11 |
| Concrete Placers, Concrete Finishers and Related Workers | Not exposed | 0.10 |
The ILO index measures generative AI, not robots or automated machines.
What the BLS projects
| Occupation | Projected change 2025 to 2035 | Openings a year |
|---|---|---|
| Brickmasons and blockmasons | Grow 1% | In total |
| Stonemasons | Decline 5% | In total |
| Cement masons and concrete finishers | Grow 2% | In total |
| Terrazzo workers and finishers | Decline 13% | In total |
| Total for the group | Grow 1% | About 18,400 |
The BLS points to changing construction practices, such as more use of prefabricated panels, and higher costs for natural stone. It expects terrazzo work to decline as polished concrete is used instead. Its outlook does not mention AI.
Where AI is helping
- Estimating materials and costs from plans.
- Scheduling crews and deliveries.
- Reading plans and specifications faster.
- Drafting bids, safety plans and daily reports.
What stays with masonry workers
- Laying and setting: brick, block and stone on real, uneven sites.
- Concrete work: placing, leveling and finishing before it sets.
- Judgment on site: weather, mortar mix and fixing what the plans missed.
- Checking AI help: estimates and drafted documents can be wrong, which NIST calls confabulation (NIST AI 600-1). See checking AI output.
How the job is changing
Prefabricated panels and polished concrete are shifting which masonry skills are in demand, more than AI is. Office software helps with estimates and paperwork, while the building work stays on site. This page is general information, not career advice.
See also will AI replace construction workers?, will AI replace carpenters? and will AI replace roofers?
Pay and how to get in
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics puts the median annual pay for brickmasons blockmasons and stonemasons at $58,270 in May 2025, against $50,980 for all workers. The BLS says the education needed to enter varies; its profile explains the routes in. See how this job compares in AI exposure by pay and AI exposure by education level.
Questions and answers
Will AI replace masonry workers?
Not on current evidence. The ILO rates bricklayers, stonemasons and concrete finishers as not exposed, and the BLS projects 1 percent growth from 2025 to 2035.
What is changing masonry jobs?
The BLS points to prefabricated panels, higher natural stone costs and polished concrete replacing terrazzo.
How many masonry openings are expected?
The BLS projects about 18,400 openings a year, mostly replacing workers who leave.
Can robots lay bricks?
The ILO index covers generative AI, not robots, and the BLS outlook for masonry workers does not name robots as a factor.