Mason at Tile Setters & Finishers Union Of Northern California (TSFU)
at Tile Setters & Finishers Union Of Northern California (TSFU) in Sacramento, CA
About This Program
The Tile Setters & Finishers Union of Northern California (TSFU) sponsors this union-affiliated registered Mason Apprenticeship in Sacramento, California, offering a JATC-structured program for individuals entering the tile setting and masonry finishing trades. Apprentices earn wages from the start, following a union-backed curriculum that leads to journeyman certification.
The program lasts three years and requires 6,000 hours of on-the-job training alongside 432 hours of related technical instruction. Apprentices develop expertise in setting ceramic, stone, and tile surfaces; preparing substrates; applying grout and adhesives; reading installation plans; and finishing masonry surfaces to professional standards. Technical coursework covers materials and installation methods, safety practices, building codes, and layout techniques relevant to Northern California construction projects.
Upon completing the apprenticeship, graduates become journey-level tile setters and finishers with full union standing in the TSFU. Union membership provides access to consistent employment with union contractors and competitive wages throughout Sacramento and the surrounding Northern California 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.
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.