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Stonemasons

SOC 47-2022.00Job Zone 2 · Some Preparationv.26.05

Context coveredThis framework covers residential and commercial stonemason practice from entry-level site assistance through executive-level project leadership, including stone cutting and setting, mortar work, alignment, joint finishing, restoration, and business operations.

Sources:O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.SkillsCrosswalkSkillsCrosswalk — O*NET enrichment + adjacency index. Opens in new tab.
Emerging
Entry / Apprentice
  1. Plumb bob and level — identify and handle under direct supervision to check basic vertical alignment on a masonry job site.
  2. Straight edge and staked lines — follow pre-set layout instructions to assist in marking wall patterns or foundation outlines on level ground.
  3. Cut stone and marble pieces — operate hand tools under close supervision to perform simple trimming tasks in a workshop or field setting.
  4. Mortar mix — measure and combine materials according to a prescribed recipe under a journeyman's guidance on a construction site.
  5. Pre-cut stone units — place and position in a designated layout pattern under direct supervision during new construction work.
  6. Excess mortar and grout — remove from stone or marble surfaces using sponge, brush, and water following cleanup procedures on a job site.
  7. Basic joint-filling tasks — assist a lead mason in packing mortar between stones using a trowel under step-by-step direction.
  8. Prefabricated masonry units — carry, stage, and assist in installing components as directed by an experienced stonemason on a residential project.
  9. Safety protocols and personal protective equipment — recognize and apply when handling power saws and stone-cutting equipment in a training environment.
  10. Work site materials and hand tools — identify, organize, and maintain in proper condition at the start and end of each work shift.
Developing
Mid-level / Established
  1. Plumb bob, gauge line, and level — use independently to verify and correct vertical and horizontal alignment of stone walls on standard residential projects.
  2. Wall layout and foundation patterns — read blueprints and use a straight edge or rule to lay out stone courses with minimal oversight on routine assignments.
  3. Stone and marble setting — place units according to specified layout patterns, adjusting fit and spacing on moderately complex commercial or residential installations.
  4. Mortar joints — finish and smooth between stones using a tuck pointer to produce a clean, consistent appearance on standard masonry surfaces.
  5. Power saws and cutting equipment — shape, face, and trim stone or marble to required dimensions, adapting technique to varying stone types in a field setting.
  6. Mortar and grout — mix to correct consistency and spread evenly on slabs or foundations, pacing output to match the installation workflow.
  7. Prefabricated masonry units — construct and install following manufacturer specifications and project drawings with limited supervisory review.
  8. Surface cleaning — select appropriate cleaning agents including acid where required and apply safely to remove staining or excess grout from finished stone work.
  9. Time and task sequencing — manage personal workload across multiple stages of a masonry project to meet daily production targets without prompting.
  10. Arithmetic and measurement — apply job-site mathematics to calculate material quantities, cut dimensions, and mortar volumes for routine stone installations.
Proficient
Senior / Expert IC
  1. Complex alignment systems — independently set and verify vertical and horizontal alignment across large or irregular structures using plumb bob, gauge line, and optical level.
  2. Custom wall and foundation layouts — interpret detailed architectural drawings and translate them into precise staked-line patterns for ornate or non-standard stone installations.
  3. Decorative and structural stonework — set stone and marble in demanding patterns, including curved, angled, or multi-material assemblies, without supervisory guidance.
  4. Joint finishing and tuck pointing — execute consistently high-quality mortar joints across varied joint widths and profiles on historic restoration and premium commercial projects.
  5. Advanced stone cutting and shaping — operate power saws and hand-cutting equipment to produce precise custom profiles, curves, and surface textures on specialty stone.
  6. Grout and mortar formulation — select mix ratios and admixtures appropriate to exposure conditions and stone type, adjusting on-site based on temperature and substrate variables.
  7. Problem diagnosis on masonry structures — identify causes of cracking, settling, or moisture infiltration and determine corrective repair strategies on active construction or restoration sites.
  8. Prefabricated and custom masonry integration — plan and execute combined installations of prefabricated units and field-cut stone to meet complex design and structural requirements.
  9. Project drawings and specifications — read and critically interpret full construction document sets including CAD drawings, ensuring stone work meets design intent and building codes.
  10. Quality control inspections — evaluate finished stone surfaces, joint work, and alignment tolerances against project specifications, identifying and correcting deficiencies before project handoff.
Advanced
Lead / Principal / Executive
  1. Project execution standards — establish masonry quality benchmarks and inspection criteria for entire job sites, ensuring all crew members adhere to alignment, finish, and safety requirements.
  2. Crew training and skill development — mentor emerging and developing stonemasons in stone-cutting, setting, and joint-finishing techniques across live residential and commercial projects.
  3. Scope and sequencing planning — develop detailed work plans for large-scale masonry projects, coordinating material delivery, crew scheduling, and subcontractor sequencing to meet milestones.
  4. Complex problem resolution — diagnose and resolve non-routine structural or aesthetic failures in stone installations, applying advanced judgment to historic, architectural, or high-profile projects.
  5. Client and design team consultation — communicate technical masonry requirements, material limitations, and value-engineering options to architects, engineers, and clients throughout project delivery.
  6. Estimating and cost management — prepare comprehensive material and labor estimates using project management and spreadsheet software, controlling budget variances across multiple concurrent jobs.
  7. CAD and specification review — evaluate architectural CAD drawings and stone specifications for constructability, flagging design conflicts and recommending solutions before work commences.
  8. Safety and compliance leadership — develop and enforce site-specific safety protocols for power equipment, heavy stone handling, and hazardous cleaning agents across an entire masonry operation.
  9. Organizational best-practice development — author standard operating procedures for mortar mixing, stone cutting, and installation sequences, institutionalizing quality across a masonry contracting firm.
  10. Strategic workforce and business development — identify skill gaps, guide hiring decisions, and build vendor relationships that position a masonry business for sustained growth in the construction market.

AI-at-Work Competency Framework

Sources:Anthropic Economic IndexAnthropic Economic Index — release_2026_03_24. Opens in new tab.Jadhav & Danve, 2026Skill Automation Feasibility Index — Jadhav & Danve, 2026 (arXiv:2604.06906). Opens in new tab.WEF Skills TaxonomyWEF Skills Taxonomy 2021 — Building a Common Language for Skills at Work. Opens in new tab.

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Sources:Pathsmith™ Durable SkillsPathsmith™ Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
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O*NET enrichment · skillscrosswalk.com

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Source anchors that ground each statement

Related titles
Mason, Stonemason · Stone Mason · Artificial Stone Applicator · Banker Mason · Composition Stone Applicator · Construction Monument Setter · Curbstone Setter · Flagstone Layer · Formstone Fitter · Granite Block Paver · Granite Setter · Marble Installer
RAPIDS apprenticeships
0044 · Mason, Stonemason · 0064 · Stone Mason
O*NET skills
Critical ThinkingComplex Problem SolvingJudgment and Decision MakingTime ManagementCoordinationOperations MonitoringReading ComprehensionActive ListeningSpeakingMathematicsMonitoring
Knowledge domains
Building and ConstructionDesignMathematicsMechanicalCustomer and Personal ServiceAdministration and ManagementEnglish Language
Abilities
Static StrengthArm-Hand SteadinessTrunk StrengthNear VisionManual DexterityProblem SensitivityVisualizationStaminaMultilimb CoordinationInformation Ordering
Work styles
DependabilityAttention to DetailPerseveranceCautiousnessAchievement OrientationStress Tolerance
Technology
Access softwareProject management softwareAnalytical or scientific softwareAccounting softwareWeb platform development softwareSpreadsheet softwareOffice suite softwareWord processing softwareComputer aided design CAD softwareEnterprise resource planning ERP software
Tasks · seed anchors for statements
  1. Set vertical and horizontal alignment of structures, using plumb bob, gauge line, and level.
  2. Lay out wall patterns or foundations, using straight edge, rule, or staked lines.
  3. Set stone or marble in place, according to layout or pattern.
  4. Remove wedges, fill joints between stones, finish joints between stones, using a trowel, and smooth the mortar to an attractive finish, using a tuck pointer.
  5. Clean excess mortar or grout from surface of marble, stone, or monument, using sponge, brush, water, or acid.
  6. Shape, trim, face and cut marble or stone preparatory to setting, using power saws, cutting equipment, and hand tools.
  7. Mix mortar or grout and pour or spread mortar or grout on marble slabs, stone, or foundation.
  8. Construct and install prefabricated masonry units.
CIP education codes
46.0101

Sources: O*NET v30.2 (CC BY 4.0), SkillsCrosswalk.com, LER.me®, Anthropic Economic Index, SAFI (Jadhav & Danve, 2026), WEF Skills Taxonomy 2021, Pathsmith™ Durable Skills Framework. © 2026 EBSCOed.