SOUTH AFRICA · SALARY IN RANDS

Stonemasons

What the work involves, the skills employers want, and how to get started in South Africa.

  • Mason
  • Stone Derrickman
  • Stone Mason
  • Stone Setter
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What do Stonemasons do?

Stonemasons are skilled craftsmen who work with stone to construct, repair, and maintain various structures. This ancient trade involves shaping and assembling stone materials, including granite, marble, limestone, and brick, into both functional and decorative elements. Stonemasons are often responsible for creating foundations, walls, arches, and monuments, as well as intricate carvings and sculptures. Their work can be found in historical buildings, modern architecture, and landscapes, showcasing the aesthetic and durable qualities of stone as a building material. The job requires a deep understanding of stone properties, the various techniques for cutting and finishing, as well as an eye for detail and design. Stonemasons often collaborate with architects and builders to bring blueprints to life, ensuring structural integrity and meeting specific design requirements. This craft has been essential to construction practices for centuries and continues to be valued for its artistry and durability, often highlighted in the restoration of historical sites and buildings.

What the work actually is

  • Lay out wall patterns or foundations, using straight edge, rule, or staked lines.
  • Shape, trim, face and cut marble or stone preparatory to setting, using power saws, cutting equipment, and hand tools.
  • Set vertical and horizontal alignment of structures, using plumb bob, gauge line, and level.
  • Mix mortar or grout and pour or spread mortar or grout on marble slabs, stone, or foundation.
  • Remove wedges, fill joints between stones, finish joints between stones, using a trowel, and smooth the mortar to an attractive finish, using a tuck pointer.

Skills employers expect

Skills

  • Critical Thinking Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
  • Coordination Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
  • Time Management Managing one's own time and the time of others.
  • Complex Problem Solving Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
  • Judgment and Decision Making Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

Abilities

  • Static Strength The ability to exert maximum muscle force to lift, push, pull, or carry objects.
  • Trunk Strength The ability to use your abdominal and lower back muscles to support part of the body repeatedly or continuously over time without "giving out" or fatiguing.
  • Arm-Hand Steadiness The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.
  • Manual Dexterity The ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
  • Near Vision The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).

Knowledge

  • Mathematics Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
  • Building and Construction Knowledge of materials, methods, and the tools involved in the construction or repair of houses, buildings, or other structures such as highways and roads.
  • Public Safety and Security Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.
  • Design Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
  • Mechanical Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.

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How people get into it

Education of new hires

Less than high school diploma
High school diploma or equivalent or: GED, High School Equivalency Certificate
Post-secondary certificate Awarded for training completed after high school (for example, in Personnel Services, Engineering-related Technologies, Vocational Home Economics, Construction Trades, Mechanics and Repairers, Precision Production Trades)

A normal week

  • Handling and Moving Objects
  • Performing General Physical Activities
  • Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
  • Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others
  • Training and Teaching Others

Tools used on the job

Technology

  • Spreadsheet software Microsoft Excel
  • Analytical or scientific software Gregg Software Gregg Rock-It · ProEst Software ProEst Estimating · Tradesman's Software Master Estimator
  • Accounting software Intuit QuickBooks
  • Access software Citrix cloud computing software
  • Enterprise resource planning ERP software SAP software

Tools

  • Cold chisels Angle chisels · Cape chisels · Flat chisels
  • Trowels Buttering trowels · Margin trowels · Pointing trowels
  • Hammers 12 pound sledge hammers · Bush hammers · Cross pein sledge hammers
  • Plaster or mortar mixers Drum mortar mixers · Electric mortar mixers · Horizontal shaft mixers
  • Power saws Circular saws · Concrete saws · Masonry saws

Who it suits

Realistic

Work involves designing, building, or repairing of equipment, materials, or structures, engaging in physical activity, or working outdoors. Realistic occupations are often associated with engineering, mechanics and electronics, construction, woodworking, transportation, machine operation, agriculture, animal services, physical or manual labor, athletics, or protective services.

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Questions people ask

How much do Stonemasons earn in South Africa?

Stonemasons salaries in South Africa vary by experience, province and employer.

What do Stonemasons do?

Lay out wall patterns or foundations, using straight edge, rule, or staked lines, Shape, trim, face and cut marble or stone preparatory to setting, using power saws, cutting equipment, and hand tools and Set vertical and horizontal alignment of structures, using plumb bob, gauge line, and level.

How do I know if this career fits me?

Take the free Assessify career assessment. It matches your answers to careers and shows the South African salary next to each one.