Stonemasons
Overview
Snapshot
Summary
Stonemasons cut and shape hard and soft stone blocks and masonry slabs to construct and renovate stone structures and monumental masonry.
Specialisations: Construction Stonemason, Monumental Stonemason.
A certificate III in stonemasonry is usually needed to work as a Stonemason. This course is often completed as part of an apprenticeship.
Tasks
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Studies plans and specifications to determine materials required, dimensions and installation procedures.
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Erects scaffolding.
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Seals foundations with damp resistant materials and spreads layers of mortar to serve as base and binder for blocks, using trowels.
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Checks vertical and horizontal alignment.
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Cuts, shapes, and polishes stones and bricks using machines and hand tools, and shapes bricks to fit irregular spaces.
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Repairs and maintains bricks, cement blocks and related structures.
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Designs and cuts monumental masonry including lettering.
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Constructs walls using stone slabs and large masonry slab blocks.
Characteristics
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Vocational Education and Training (VET)
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Informal or on-the-job
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Practical
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Heavy
Outlook
JSA produces employment projections to show where likely future job opportunities may be. Employment projections data are only produced for occupations at the broad four digit Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO) level. While data are not available for this occupation, projections data are available for the parent occupation, Bricklayers and Stonemasons, under the outlook section.
Earnings and hours
Working arrangements
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Around 84% of people employed as Stonemasons work full-time hours, in all their jobs combined. This is 18 percentage points above the all jobs average (66%).
Full-time workers work an average of 43 hours per week in their main job. This is similar to the all jobs average (44 hours per week).
Sources:Full-time share and full-time hours: ABS, 2016 Census, customised report. Compared to the all jobs average.
Industries
Main industries
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Most Stonemasons work in the Manufacturing industry. They are also employed in industries like:
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report.
Regions
Employment across Australia
NSW
VIC
QLD
SA
WA
TAS
NT
ACT
Employment by State and Territory (% Share)
State | Stonemasons | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
NSW | 31.8 | 31.6 |
VIC | 24.7 | 25.6 |
QLD | 17.3 | 20.0 |
SA | 6.2 | 7.0 |
WA | 16.2 | 10.8 |
TAS | 1.5 | 2.0 |
NT | 0.4 | 1.0 |
ACT | 1.9 | 1.9 |
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Around 64% of Stonemasons live in capital cities, compared with the all jobs average of 62%.
Western Australia has a large share of employment relative to its population size.
The regions with the largest share of workers are:
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Share of workers across Australian states, territories and regions, in this job compared to the all jobs average.
Worker profile
Age and gender
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The median age of Stonemasons is 37 years. This is similar to the all jobs average of 40 years.
A large share of workers are aged 25 to 34 years.
Females make up 1% of the workforce. This is 47 percentage points below the all jobs average of 48%.
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Age profile and gender share compared to the all jobs average.
Age Profile (% Share)
Age Bracket | Stonemasons | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
15-19 | 4.1 | 5.0 |
20-24 | 11.1 | 9.3 |
25-34 | 27.2 | 22.9 |
35-44 | 25.4 | 22.0 |
45-54 | 19.9 | 21.6 |
55-59 | 6.4 | 9.0 |
60-64 | 3.6 | 6.0 |
65 and Over | 2.3 | 4.2 |
Median Age | 37 | 40 |
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Age profile of workers in this job compared to the all jobs average.
Employment Pathways
Education, training and experience
A certificate III in stonemasonry is usually needed to work as a Stonemason. This course is often completed as part of an apprenticeship.
Registration or licencing may be required.
Visit
- My Skills to compare Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses, providers and student outcomes.
- AAPathways website to explore Construction, Plumbing and Services VET training pathways.
Highest Level of Education (% Share)
Type of Qualification | Stonemasons | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
Post Graduate/Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate | 0.5 | 10.1 |
Bachelor degree | 3.4 | 21.8 |
Advanced Diploma/Diploma | 4.0 | 11.6 |
Certificate III/IV | 43.7 | 21.1 |
Year 12 | 20.7 | 18.1 |
Year 11 | 6.8 | 4.8 |
Year 10 and below | 20.9 | 12.5 |
Source: ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Highest qualification completed by workers in this job (in any field of study). Qualifications needed by new workers might be different from the qualifications of workers already in the job.
Skills and Knowledge
Employers look for Bricklayers and Stonemasons who are reliable, work well in a team and are hardworking.
Skills
Skills can be improved through training or experience.
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50%
Coordination with othersBeing adaptable and coordinating work with other people.
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43%
Critical thinkingThinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem.
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43%
Active listeningListening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions.
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41%
Complex problem solvingNoticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it.
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39%
Time managementManaging your own and other peoples' time to get work done.
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39%
MonitoringKeeping track of how well work is progressing so you can make changes or improvements.
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39%
Quality control analysisDoing tests and checking products, services, or processes to make sure they are working properly.
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37%
Active learningBeing able to use what you have learnt to solve problems now and again in the future.
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37%
InstructingTeaching people how to do something.
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37%
NegotiationBringing people together and trying to sort out their differences.
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37%
Operation and controlControlling equipment or systems.
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37%
PersuasionTalking people into changing their minds or their behaviour.
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37%
Serving othersLooking for ways to help people.
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37%
SpeakingTalking to others.
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37%
WritingWriting things for co-workers or customers.
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36%
Judgment and decision makingFiguring out the pros and cons of different options and choosing the best one.
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36%
Reading comprehensionReading work related information.
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34%
Operation monitoringWatching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
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32%
Management of personnel resourcesMotivating, developing, and directing people as they work, and choosing the best people for the job.
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32%
Social perceptivenessUnderstanding why people react the way they do.
Knowledge
These are important topics, subjects or knowledge areas.
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79%
Building and constructionMaterials, and methods used to construct or repair houses, buildings, or other structures like highways and roads.
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65%
MathematicsArithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics.
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57%
Education and trainingCurriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
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54%
MechanicalMachines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
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46%
Technical designDesign techniques, tools, and principles used to make detailed technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
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45%
Public safety and securityUse of equipment, rules and ideas to protect people, data, property, and institutions.
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35%
PsychologyHuman behaviour; differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; research methods; assessing and treating disorders.
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32%
ChemistryChemical composition, structure, and properties. How chemicals are made, used, mixed, and can change.
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31%
Engineering and technologyUse engineering, science and technology to design and produce goods and services.
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30%
English languageEnglish language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
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28%
TransportationMoving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road.
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28%
Communications and mediaMedia production, communication, and dissemination. Includes written, spoken, and visual media.
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25%
PhysicsThe physical laws of matter, motion and energy, and how they interact through space and time.
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24%
Law and governmentHow our laws and courts work. Government rules and regulations, and the political system.
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20%
Administration and managementBusiness principles involved in strategic planning, leadership, and coordinating people and resources.
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15%
GeographyDescribing land, sea, and air, including their physical characteristics, locations, how they work together, and the location of plant, animal, and human life.
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13%
Production and processingRaw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and ways of making and distributing goods.
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12%
ClericalWord processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office work.
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9%
Foreign languageForeign (non-English) language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition and grammar, and pronunciation.
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6%
TelecommunicationsTransmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems.
Abilities
Workers use these physical and mental abilities..
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70%
Static strengthLift, push, pull, or carry things.
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52%
Trunk strengthUse your abdominal and lower back muscles a number of times without 'giving out' or fatiguing.
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52%
Manual dexterityQuickly move your hand to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
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48%
VisualizationImagine how something will look after it is moved around or changed.
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46%
Arm-hand steadinessKeep your hand or arm steady.
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46%
Extent flexibilityBend, stretch, twist, or reach with your body, arms, and/or legs.
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46%
Multilimb coordinationUse your arms and/or legs at the same time while sitting, standing, or lying down.
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46%
Near visionSee details that are up-close (within a few feet).
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46%
Dynamic strengthExercise for a long time without your muscles getting tired.
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45%
Oral comprehensionListen to and understand what people say.
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45%
StaminaExercise for a long time without getting winded or out of breath.
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43%
Finger dexterityPut together small parts with your fingers.
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43%
Oral expressionCommunicate by speaking.
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41%
Problem spottingNotice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong, even if you can't solve the problem.
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41%
Far visionSee details that are far away.
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39%
Whole body coordinationMove your arms, legs, and body together.
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39%
Inductive reasoningUse lots of detailed information to come up with answers or make general rules.
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39%
Sorting or orderingOrder or arrange things in a pattern or sequence (e.g., numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
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39%
Speech claritySpeak clearly so others can understand you.
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38%
Speech recognitionIdentify and understand the speech of another person.
Activities
These are kinds of activities workers regularly do in this job.
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94%
Handling and moving objectsUsing hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, moving and manipulating objects.
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91%
Doing physically active workUse your arms, legs and whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling objects.
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68%
Communicating within a teamGiving information to co-workers by telephone, in writing, or in person.
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68%
Building good relationshipsBuilding good working relationships and keeping them over time.
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62%
Coordinating the work of a teamGetting members of a group to work together to finish a task.
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61%
Negotiating and resolving conflictsHandling complaints and disagreements, and negotiating with people.
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58%
Training and teaching othersUnderstanding the needs of others, developing training programs, and teaching or instructing.
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58%
Making decisions and solving problemsUsing information to work out the best solution and solve problems.
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55%
Giving expert adviceProviding guidance and expert advice to management or other groups.
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55%
Planning and prioritising workDeciding on goals and putting together a detailed plan to get the work done.
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51%
Coaching and developing othersWorking out the needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or helping them to improve.
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51%
Checking for errors or defectsInspecting equipment, structures, or materials for errors, problems or defects.
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50%
Estimating amounts, costs and resourcesWorking out sizes, distances, amounts, time, costs, resources, or materials needed for a task.
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50%
Scheduling work and activitiesWorking out the timing of events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
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49%
Drafting, laying out, and specifying partsDetailing and describing how devices, parts or equipment are to be made, assembled, modified, maintained, or used.
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47%
Driving vehicles or equipmentRunning, manoeuvring, navigating, or driving things like forklifts, vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.
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46%
Thinking creativelyUsing your own ideas for developing, designing, or creating something new.
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43%
Looking for changes over timeComparing objects, actions, or events. Looking for differences between them or changes over time.
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35%
Researching and investigatingLooking for, getting and understanding different kinds of information.
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32%
Checking compliance with standardsDeciding whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
Interests and demands
Learn about the daily activities, and physical and social demands faced by workers. Explore the values and work styles that workers rate as most important.
Interests
Interests are the style or type of work we prefer to do. All interest areas are shown below.
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100%
PracticalPractical, hands-on work. Often with plants and animals, or materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
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29%
AdministrativeFollowing set procedures and routines. Working with numbers and details more than with ideas, usually following rules.
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29%
CreativeWorking with forms, designs and patterns. Often need self-expression and can be done without following rules.
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29%
EnterprisingStarting up and carrying out projects. Leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes require risk taking and often deal with business.
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19%
HelpingWorking with people. Helping or providing service to others.
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14%
AnalyticalIdeas and thinking. Searching for facts and figuring out problems in your head.
Values
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67%
IndependenceWork alone and make decisions. Workers are able to try out their own ideas, make decisions on their own, and work with little or no supervision.
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67%
SupportSupportive management that stands behind employees. Workers are treated fairly by their company, they are supported by management, and have supervisors who train them well.
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52%
AchievementResults oriented. Workers are able to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment.
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52%
RelationshipsServe and work with others. Workers usually get along well with each other, do things to help other people, and are rarely pressured to do things that go against their sense of right and wrong.
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52%
Working conditionsJob security and good working conditions. There is usually a steady flow of interesting work, and the pay and conditions are generally good.
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38%
RecognitionAdvancement and the potential to lead. Workers are recognised for the work that they do, they may give directions and instructions to others, and they are looked up to in their company and their community.
Demands
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97%
Wear common protective or safety equipmentWear equipment like safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hard hats or life jackets.
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95%
Using your hands to handle, control, or feelSpend time using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls.
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94%
Outdoors, exposed to weatherWork outdoors, exposed to the weather.
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91%
Freedom to make decisionsHave freedom to make decision on your own.
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89%
Face-to-face discussionsTalk with people face-to-face.
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88%
Contact with peopleHave contact with people by telephone, face-to-face, or any other way.
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87%
Spend time standingSpend time standing at work.
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84%
Physically close to peopleWork physically close to other people.
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80%
Unstructured workHave freedom to decide on tasks, priorities, and goals.
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78%
Responsible for outcomesTake responsibility for the results of other people's work.
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77%
TeamworkWork with people in a group or team.
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77%
Kneeling, crouching, stooping, or crawlingSpend time kneeling, crouching, stooping or crawling.
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75%
TelephoneTalk on the telephone.
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74%
Bending or twisting your bodySpend time bending or twisting your body.
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73%
Being exact or accurateBe very exact or highly accurate.
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73%
Loud or uncomfortable soundsBe exposed to noises and sounds that are distracting or uncomfortable.
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73%
Walking and runningSpend time walking and running.
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72%
Impact of decisionsMake decisions that have a large impact on other people.
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72%
Health and safety of othersTake responsibility for the health and safety of others.
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71%
Time pressureWork to strict deadlines.
O*NET is a trademark of the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration.
The skills and importance ratings on this page are derived from the US Department of Labor O*NET Database Version 21.2, 47-2022.00 - Stonemasons.
Links and downloads
Research and reports
The Skills Priority List provides a current labour market rating and a future demand rating for nearly 800 occupations nationally. Current labour market ratings are available for occupations at a state and territory level.
Downloads
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Occupation profiles data are available for download.
The Employment Projections are available for download.