Across U.S. metros, brickmasons typically earn $9,090 more a year than drywall installers (17%). In the 107 metros where BLS publishes both, brickmasons earn more in 96 and drywall installers in 11.
| Brickmason | Drywall Installer | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical metro median pay | $62,950 | $53,860 |
| Lowest metro median | $43,910 | $28,420 |
| Highest metro median | $97,960 | $105,910 |
| Job growth 2025–35 (U.S.) | +1.1% | +2.5% |
| Openings per year (U.S.) | 4,100 | 6,600 |
| Self-employed | 18% | 19% |
| Typical education | High school diploma or equivalent | No formal educational credential |
| Typical training | Apprenticeship | Moderate-term on-the-job training |
| Injury rate per 10k workers (U.S.) | 131 | 187 |
| Metros with pay data | 150 | 169 |
On safety, drywall installers report more injuries that cause missed work (187 vs. 131 per 10,000 full-time workers, national 2023–24).
Pay: BLS OEWS May 2025 (typical = median across metros). Growth, openings, education, training: BLS Employment Projections 2025–35. Injuries: BLS SOII 2023–24.
Where brickmasons out-earn drywall installers the most Our calculation
Gap in median yearly pay, same metro.
Where drywall installers out-earn brickmasons the most
Gap in median yearly pay, same metro.
What each trade does
Brickmason
Lay and bind building materials, such as brick, structural tile, concrete block, cinder block, glass block, and terra-cotta block, with mortar and other substances, to construct or repair walls, partitions, arches, sewers, and other structures.
Drywall Installer
Apply plasterboard or other wallboard to ceilings or interior walls of buildings. Apply or mount acoustical tiles or blocks, strips, or sheets of shock-absorbing materials to ceilings and walls of buildings to reduce or reflect sound. Materials may be of decorative quality. Includes lathers who fasten wooden, metal, or rockboard lath to walls, ceilings, or partitions of buildings to provide support base for plaster, fireproofing, or acoustical material.
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