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Julie Gent A stonemason cuts, carves and fixes natural stone on buildings, monuments and memorials. To become one, most people take a two-year Level 2 stonemason apprenticeship or a college course. Some start as a labourer or bricklayer and train on the job. You'll need a CSCS card to work on site. The National Careers Service puts pay at £24,000 a year for a starter, rising to £40,000 with experience.
What does a stonemason do?
You work with sandstone, limestone, slate, marble and granite. Some days you're in a workshop, sawing and carving blocks. Other days you're on site, fixing stone to a building or repairing old stonework.
The apprenticeship standard splits the trade into six specialisms:
- Banker mason. Works mainly in a workshop, turning raw blocks into finished pieces ready to fit.
- Interior stone fixer. Fits stone in kitchens, bathrooms, staircases and floors.
- Exterior stone fixer. Builds solid stone walls and fixes stone cladding to the outside of buildings.
- Memorial mason. Makes, fits and repairs headstones and other memorials.
- Stone facade preservation. Assesses, records and cleans building fronts.
- Heritage stonemason. Repairs and replaces stone in historic buildings.
How to become a stonemason
There are three common routes. All of them end with a stonemasonry qualification and a skilled CSCS card.
An apprenticeship
The stonemason apprenticeship is a Level 2 course that takes about 24 months. You work for an employer and study off site, and you're paid throughout. You pick one of the six specialisms above.
You'll usually need some GCSEs, including English and maths, or equivalent. Finding a place is the hard part. The National Careers Service listed no stonemason apprenticeship vacancies in England when we checked in September 2026. So it's worth asking stone firms and heritage contractors directly.
A college course
Colleges run courses in stonemasonry, craft masonry and general construction skills, which can help you get a trainee job with a building firm. The National Careers Service lists Level 3 stonemasonry diplomas at colleges including Moulton College in Northampton and the Building Crafts College in east London. Entry requirements vary by college.
Start on site and train up
You can start as a construction labourer or bricklayer and train with your employer towards a stonemasonry NVQ. It's slower, but you earn from the start and see the trade before you commit. For this route, you'll need a CSCS Labourer card first. Our CSCS Green Card package gets you that card in one order, with the Level 1 course, a booked CITB test and the application all included.
Which CSCS card does a stonemason need?
The card changes as you progress. Each one needs a recent health and safety test, usually the CITB Health, Safety and Environment test at operative level, passed in the last two years.
| Where you are | CSCS card | What you need |
|---|---|---|
| Labouring before you train | Labourer (green) | Level 1 health and safety award plus the CITB test |
| On a stonemason apprenticeship | Apprentice | Proof of your apprenticeship plus the CITB test. The card is free |
| Registered on an NVQ | Trainee | Proof of NVQ registration plus the CITB test |
| Qualified at Level 2 | Blue Skilled Worker | NVQ Level 2 in Stonemasonry, or a completed apprenticeship |
| Qualified at Level 3 | Gold Skilled Worker | NVQ Level 3 in Stonemasonry or in Heritage Skills (Masonry) |
Card rules from the CSCS website, accurate as of September 2026.
Once you're training, move off the labourer card. CSCS reserves it for unskilled work, and anyone skilled who holds one will be refused access to site.
You can book your CITB Operatives test through us, and practise first with our free CITB mock tests. Our guide to which CSCS card you need covers other trades.
How much do stonemasons earn?
The National Careers Service gives an average of £24,000 a year for a starter and £40,000 for an experienced stonemason. Typical hours are 37 to 42 a week.
That's an average, not a ceiling. Self-employed masons and specialists in heritage or carving set their own rates. There's no official data for those, so treat any day rate you see quoted as one firm's figure.
Demand is steady. CITB's 2026 to 2030 forecast says the UK needs about 1,080 extra bricklayers and masons every year. CITB counts the two trades together, so there's no separate figure for stonemasons.
Staying safe with stone
Stone is heavy, the work is often at height, and cutting it makes dust. That last one matters most.
HSE says silica dust comes from materials like concrete, mortar and sandstone. Limestone and marble contain very little silica. HSE believes over 500 construction workers die from silica dust exposure every year. Your employer must control dust under the COSHH Regulations, usually with water suppression, on-tool extraction and a properly fitted mask.
Where the trade can take you
With experience, you could become a site supervisor or specialise in heritage conservation. Other masons move into estimating, construction management or teaching apprentices at a college. Plenty set up their own business.
If you're weighing up other hands-on trades too, read our guide to becoming a builder.
The first step is the same whichever route you pick. Get your CITB test booked, and practise for it first.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to become a stonemason?
About two years through an apprenticeship. The Level 2 stonemason apprenticeship typically takes 24 months, mixing paid work with off-site study. College courses vary in length. Moving from labourer to qualified mason on the job depends on your employer and how quickly you complete your NVQ.
Do you need qualifications to become a stonemason?
Not to start. For an intermediate apprenticeship you'll usually need some GCSEs, including English and maths, or equivalent. College entry requirements vary. To work on site you'll need a CSCS card, which means passing the CITB Health, Safety and Environment test. To be recognised as skilled, you'll need an NVQ or completed apprenticeship.
What CSCS card does a stonemason need?
It depends on your stage. Apprentices get the free Apprentice card. People registered on an NVQ can get a Trainee card. Once you hold NVQ Level 2 in Stonemasonry or finish an apprenticeship, you apply for the Blue Skilled Worker card. NVQ Level 3 leads to the Gold card.
How much does a stonemason earn in the UK?
The National Careers Service puts average pay at £24,000 a year for a starter and £40,000 for an experienced stonemason. Hours are usually 37 to 42 a week. Self-employed and specialist heritage masons set their own rates, but there's no official data on those.
Can I become a stonemason as an adult?
Yes. Apprenticeships in England have a minimum age of 16 and no maximum, as long as you're not in full-time education. Many adults also start as labourers and train with their employer. College courses in stonemasonry are open to adult learners too, and funding varies by college and circumstances.
Is stonemasonry a dying trade?
No. CITB forecasts the UK needs about 1,080 extra bricklayers and masons every year to 2030. Heritage buildings need regular repair, and new buildings still use stone cladding, floors and paving. The trade is small, so jobs are often found through contacts rather than adverts.
Is stonemasonry bad for your health?
It can be if dust isn't controlled. Cutting sandstone creates silica dust, which can cause silicosis and lung cancer. Limestone and marble contain very little silica. Employers must control dust under COSHH, and the work is heavy, so safe lifting and good kit matter too.