The trades of bricklayers and stonemasons are closely related. Bricklayers build walls, partitions, fireplaces, and other structures with brick, cinder block, and other masonry materials.
Stonemasons build stone walls as well as the stone exteriors and floors.
Because stone is expensive, stonemasons work mostly on high-cost building, such as offices, hotels and churches. Employers and apprenticeship committees prefer high school graduates. Many entrants are experienced workers being recalled from layoff, between jobs, or persons who transfer from other jobs that have taken on a temporary basis. They are also subject to injuries from tools and failing from scaffolds. Despite the physical demands and general hazards of construction, these workers are less likely to be injured than other construction workers.