Mason at Jac Bricklayers Union - Local 8
at Jac Bricklayers Union - Local 8 in Pittsburgh, PA
About This Program
JAC Bricklayers Union Local 8 sponsors this union Mason apprenticeship in Pittsburgh, PA. Governed through a Joint Apprenticeship Committee, this program provides structured, employer-backed training for individuals entering the bricklaying trade under union standards in western Pennsylvania.
The program lasts three years and combines 6,000 hours of paid on-the-job training with 432 hours of related technical instruction. Apprentices gain practical experience in brick, block, and stone laying, mortar mixing and placement, wall construction, and finishing work on both commercial and residential projects. Technical coursework addresses safety practices, construction mathematics, reading blueprints, and masonry materials and methods.
Completing the program earns apprentices journeyman bricklayer credentials through Local 8, along with access to the union's collectively bargained wages and benefits package. Pittsburgh's ongoing construction and infrastructure work supports strong, consistent demand for qualified journey-level masons in the region.
Wage & Training
Journeyman Wage
$24
OJT Hours
6,000
RTI Hours
432
Duration
3 years
Wage data is the national median for this occupation (BLS, May 2023), not specific to this program.
How to Apply
Mason Career Outlook
National Median
$24.19/hr
~$50,315.2/yr
Apprentice Start
$15/hr
Earn while you learn
Job Outlook
Mason employment is projected to grow moderately, supported by commercial construction and infrastructure investment. Demand is strongest in regions with active building and renovation markets. Retirements in the existing workforce are creating additional openings. Masons with restoration skills or concrete finishing certifications have the best prospects.
What to Expect as a Mason Apprentice
Duration
3 years of combined on-the-job training and classroom instruction
On-the-Job Training
~40 hours/week of hands-on work under journeyman supervision (6,000 total hours)
Classroom Instruction
432 hours of related technical instruction (~144 hours/year)
Paid Training
You earn a wage from day one, starting at a percentage of the journeyman rate and increasing as you progress
Time-based program: You'll progress through the program based on completing a set number of hours in both on-the-job training and classroom instruction.
This is a union-affiliated program. Union apprenticeships typically offer strong benefits packages, pension contributions, and structured career advancement through the local hall.
Trade School vs. Apprenticeship for Mason
Apprenticeship
Trade School
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