Stonemasons

Build stone structures, such as piers, walls, and abutments. Lay walks, curbstones, or special types of masonry for vats, tanks, and floors.

AI Resistance Index 65 of 99

More resilient than most: more resilient than 65% of the 831 careers we score. AI exposure is very low (the Bureau of Labor Statistics rates it low), and US jobs are projected to change by -5.4% by 2035, expected to shrink. The work leans on physical dexterity and ethical judgement.

AI struggles with much of this work. Hiring is expected to grow slower than average, or to shrink.

Median pay (2025): $57,390
Job growth to 2035: -5.4%
Openings a year: 500
People doing it (2025): 9,300
Usual route in: High school diploma, then an apprenticeship

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Where people already use AI for this work

Prepare mixtures or solutions
Apply decorative finishes

From Microsoft Research, Working with AI (2025).

Work AI rarely helps with

Position materials or components for assembly
Cut materials
Build structures

What the work looks like

Set vertical and horizontal alignment of structures, using plumb bob, gauge line, and level.
Lay out wall patterns or foundations, using straight edge, rule, or staked lines.
Set stone or marble in place, according to layout or pattern.
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.
Clean excess mortar or grout from surface of marble, stone, or monument, using sponge, brush, water, or acid.

From O*NET 31.0, US Department of Labor.

What the Bureau of Labor Statistics expects

Fewer of these jobs, as brickmasons and blockmasons increasingly install more stone products instead of stonemasons.

Careers using similar strengths, with a stronger outlook

Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfittersHuman edge, growing, Index 91, +6.8%
CarpentersHuman edge, growing, Index 86, +3.9%
Control and valve installers and repairers, except mechanical doorHuman edge, growing, Index 74, +4.3%
Electrical and electronics repairers, powerhouse, substation, and relayHuman edge, growing, Index 89, +9.7%

Also known as: Mason, Stone Derrickman, Stone Setter, Stonemason, Marble Installer, Marble Shop Worker, Mason Mechanic, Stone Installer.

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Sources: US Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections 2025 to 2035; O*NET 31.0; Microsoft Research (2025); Anthropic Economic Index (2026); Eloundou and colleagues (Science, 2024); Felten, Raj and Seamans (2023). How we score. Updated 12 October 2026.