Stonemason
Cut, carve and fix stone for heritage restoration, new builds and memorials.
This UK stonemason career guide covers what the role involves day to day, typical salary at each stage, the usual entry route, the skills employers expect, and related careers worth comparing.
Quick facts
- Starting salary
- £22,000 - £30,000
- Mid-career salary
- £32,000 - £42,000
- Senior salary
- £45,000 - £60,000
- Work environment
- On-site, hands-on, often outdoors
- Time to entry
- 3 - 4 years (apprenticeship)
- Degree required
- Not required - apprenticeship route
- Category
- Skilled Trades
What a Stonemason does
Cut, carve and fix stone for heritage restoration, new builds and memorials.
- Banker Masonry - Work stone at the bench to drawings.
- Fixer Mason - Fix dressed stone on buildings.
- Heritage Restoration - Conservation work on listed buildings.
- Memorial Masonry - Carve and letter memorial stones.
How to become a Stonemason
- Look up Stonemason roles on LinkedIn or Indeed and read 5 real job ads
- Talk to someone already working as a Stonemason - even a 15-minute call helps
- Find one beginner course or qualification used by people in this role
- Build one small piece of evidence you've explored this (project, shadowing, short course)
- Apply to one entry-level role or related opportunity within the next month
Key skills
- Hand tools
- Banker masonry
- Fixing
- Drawing reading
- Patience