Masonry is one of the most consistent trades in New Jersey. The state is dense, it’s old, and that combination means there’s always something being built new or restored. From the residential suburbs of Bergen and Morris counties to commercial work in the Hudson waterfront corridor, masons in New Jersey have a steady pipeline of work that doesn’t dry up the way some other trades can.
What Masons Earn in New Jersey
New Jersey pays well for masonry work, partly because the cost of living is high and partly because the union presence keeps wages competitive. According to Bureau of Labor Statistics data, the median hourly wage for masonry workers in New Jersey runs around $30 to $40 per hour. Journeymen bricklayers working union commercial jobs in the northern part of the state regularly earn $45 to $55 an hour with benefits on top.
Restoration work, which is plentiful in a state full of older buildings and historic districts, commands a premium. Masons who specialize in tuckpointing, brownstone repair, or historic brick matching can charge more and tend to stay busy year-round. Stone masons working high-end residential projects in Hunterdon County, Somerset County, and along the Shore are also seeing strong demand.
Entry-level work starts around $20 to $25 an hour. Once you’ve got a few years in and can work independently, you’re looking at a meaningful pay bump.
Where the Work Is in New Jersey
The Hudson County and Essex County markets are the most active for commercial masonry. Jersey City and Newark have seen significant development over the past several years, and that work continues in 2026. Office buildings, mixed-use developments, and transit-oriented construction around the PATH and light rail lines all require skilled masonry crews.
Bergen County is one of the strongest residential markets. New construction and high-end remodels keep masonry contractors busy, and the proximity to New York means wages tend to reflect the metro market rather than the statewide average.
South Jersey is quieter but consistent. Philadelphia overflow development, warehouse and logistics construction near the Turnpike, and steady residential work in Burlington and Camden counties keep crews employed without the intense competition you see up north.
Union vs. Non-Union Work
The Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers union has a strong presence in New Jersey, especially for commercial work. Getting your BAC card opens doors to larger projects, prevailing wage jobs, and public contracts. The pension and health benefits are hard to replicate on the non-union side.
Non-union masonry is common in residential and smaller commercial work throughout the state. Pay can still be solid depending on the contractor, and many experienced masons run their own small operations doing high-end residential projects where the work is steady and the pay is negotiable.
What Employers Want
Brick and block skills are baseline. What sets people apart in New Jersey is experience with restoration work, since so many buildings here are 50 to 100 years old. Tuckpointing, lintel replacement, and brownstone repair are skills that stay in demand regardless of the broader construction market. OSHA 10 is expected on commercial sites. A driver’s license is often required since many jobs involve getting to multiple sites.
Getting Into the Trade
The BAC apprenticeship program in New Jersey runs three to four years and combines classroom instruction with on-the-job training. If you’re starting out, it’s one of the better paths into well-paying masonry work in the state. Non-union contractors also bring on helpers who work their way up, though the timeline to journeyman-level pay tends to be less structured.
The Bottom Line
New Jersey is a solid state for masonry. Dense population, old building stock, active development corridors, and a strong union infrastructure make it one of the more reliable markets in the Northeast for tradespeople in this craft.
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