Mason at (Pittsburgh) Cement Masons Local 526 JATC
at (Pittsburgh) Cement Masons Local 526 JATC in Pittsburgh, PA
About This Program
Pittsburgh Cement Masons Local 526 JATC sponsors this union Mason apprenticeship in Pittsburgh, PA. Administered jointly by union and employer representatives, this JATC program trains apprentice cement masons to meet the technical demands of Pittsburgh's active commercial and industrial construction sector.
The program runs three years and includes 6,000 hours of paid on-the-job training paired with 432 hours of related technical instruction. Apprentices work under journeyman supervision on job sites, learning concrete finishing, form placement, surface leveling and texturing, plaster and stucco work, and safe operating procedures. Classroom instruction covers trade theory, construction math, blueprint interpretation, and applicable building standards.
Graduates earn journeyman cement mason certification and the benefits of Local 526 union membership, including negotiated wages, health benefits, and pension access. This well-established JATC program is a reliable pathway to a skilled, in-demand trade career in the Pittsburgh area and throughout western Pennsylvania.
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.
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
Reviews
No reviews yet. Be the first to share your experience!
See something wrong? Help us improve this page.