How to become a stonemasons and related trades

Official title: Stonemasons and related trades

Also called: Stonemason, Saw man, Slab man, Mason hand, Kerb maker, Sett maker, Slab maker, Wall miner, Dry waller, Sett cutter, Fixer-mason, Banker hand

Stonemasons erect and repair structures of stone and similar materials and cut, shape and polish granite, marble, slate and other stone for building, ornamental and other purposes.

Main tasks

• Examines drawings, photographs and specifications to determine job requirements
• Marks and cuts stone using hammers, mallet and hand or pneumatic chisels
• Uses hand and power tools to shape, trim, carve, cut letters in and polish stone
• Levels, aligns and embeds stone in mortar, concrete or steel frame with stone to make and repair structures

How to become one

There are no formal academic entry requirements, though GCSEs/S grades are advantageous. Entry is typically through an approved apprenticeship programme or college course in conjunction with on-the-job training, leading to a NVQ/SVQ level 2/3 qualification, or through building up work experience supplemented with short courses.

Ways in

• Apprenticeship (England): Stonemason (level 2). England. Typically 24 months. Skills England standard ST0442.

Pay · Outlook

• Median full-time pay: £33,938 a year
• About 13,200 people work in this job now, and about 12,400 are projected by 2035. (-6.1%)

Related jobs

• Steel erectors
• Bricklayers
• Roofers, roof tilers and slaters
• Plumbers and heating and ventilating installers and repairers
• Carpenters and joiners
• Glaziers, window fabricators and fitters

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Questions people ask

How do I become a stonemasons and related trades?

There are no formal academic entry requirements, though GCSEs/S grades are advantageous. Entry is typically through an approved apprenticeship programme or college course in conjunction with on-the-job training, leading to a NVQ/SVQ level 2/3 qualification, or through building up work experience supplemented with short courses.

How much does a stonemasons and related trades earn in the UK?

Median full-time pay is £33,938 a year (Office for National Statistics).

Is a stonemasons and related trades a growing career in the UK?

Employment is projected to fall 6% by 2035, from about 13,200 to about 12,400 people (Department for Education).

Sources

• Office for National Statistics: SOC 2020 Volume 1: structure and descriptions (2026-08-27 edition), OGL v3.0, retrieved 2026-10-03
• Department for Education: Skills Imperative 2035: employment projections by occupation (2021 to 2035 (Warwick IER / Cambridge Econometrics)), OGL v3.0, retrieved 2026-10-03
• Office for National Statistics: Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings, Table 14 (2025 provisional), OGL v3.0, retrieved 2026-10-03
• Office for National Statistics: Annual Population Survey: employment by occupation (April 2025 to March 2026), OGL v3.0, retrieved 2026-10-03

Updated 2026-10-03