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If you're looking to start a career in masonry in The Villages, FL, 2025 presents a promising opportunity with 45 mason jobs currently hiring, paying between $20 to $31 per hour 1. Whether you’re finishing high school or considering a trade career shift, The Villages has solid demand for masonic professionals thanks to rapid community development and construction projects across residential, commercial, and recreational sectors. This guide will walk you through the necessary licensing and certification, required training, career advancement opportunities, and what makes The Villages a strong region for masonry careers in 2025.
Before diving into the steps, it's essential to understand what being a mason entails. Masons, also known as brickmasons, specialize in crafting durable structures using bricks, concrete blocks, and other masonry materials. The work involves reading blueprints, laying materials, cutting and shaping blocks, and ensuring compliance with safety and building codes. This trade is critical in construction projects such as residential buildings, commercial structures, and infrastructure developments.
In The Villages, FL, masons contribute significantly to local projects like the 3,500-unit residential expansion and the Eastport Town Center, a 250-acre mixed-use development 2, making it a strong market for career growth in masonry. Whether you’re an apprentice or a journeyman, your work will directly impact community aesthetics and durability.
Yes, in order to work as a licensed mason contractor in Florida, you must obtain a Structural Masonry Specialty Contractor License from the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) 3. This license ensures you meet qualifications including passing exams and demonstrating experience and financial stability 4.
For masons employed under a licensed contractor, licensing is not required unless pursuing independent contractor status, which involves exam and experience requirements 5. However, most professional masons choose to become licensed to enhance job prospects and independence. This process typically costs $300 in fees 5.
To become a mason in The Villages, FL, completing a formal apprenticeship or masonry training program is often necessary 5. Apprenticeships typically take several years and combine hands-on training with classroom instruction. The Florida Masonry Apprenticeship Program, operated through the Atlantic Coast Construction Group, is a free 3-year "earn-while-you-learn" program 3. While based in 90 miles away in Jacksonville, it is a primary pathway for training masons statewide.
Additionally, Orange Technical College offers a brick and block masonry apprenticeship requiring 6,000 hours over 3 years, providing transferable professional skills 5. Several other schools across Florida, including Indian River State College in Fort Pierce and Mid-Florida Technical College in Orlando, also offer masonry training programs that aspiring masons can attend to qualify for apprenticeships 4.
Here are key steps to find an apprenticeship near The Villages:
Completing a formal masonry education program, such as those offered at Orange Technical College or Mid-Florida Technical College, equips you with foundational skills in bricklaying, concrete block installation, layout, and blueprint reading54. These programs often serve as prerequisites for apprenticeships and can shorten the total time to become a fully skilled mason.
Masonry apprenticeships in Florida generally range from 4 to 5 years and combine 6,000+ hours of hands-on experience with classroom learning 52. During this time, apprentices work under licensed mason contractors, gaining practical expertise while earning an income. According to local job data, the average weekly wage for masonry apprentices in The Villages is $330.50, allowing for steady financial growth during training 2.
Masonry apprentices in well-established programs, such as the Florida Masonry Apprenticeship Program, gain skills that set them up for competitive careers once they earn their journeyman status or licensing 3.
Once the apprenticeship is complete and a certain level of experience has been achieved, aspiring masonry contractors in Florida must pass both a written and oral examination administered by the DBPR to qualify for licensing 3. This ensures professional competence and legal authorization to manage masonry projects independently.
Masons in The Villages have opportunities for career advancement, particularly by acquiring additional project management certifications or taking roles that oversee construction teams and larger development plans. According to local labor trends and training institutions like George Mason University’s Mason Career Academy, masons can take online micro-credentialing courses in data analytics, construction project management, or leadership, enhancing their qualifications for senior roles in the construction and masonry industries 3.
Additionally, programs like the Northern Virginia Community College-George Mason University ADVANCE program offer accelerated pathways for degree completion, supporting masons who want to transition into supervisory or technical inspector roles in Florida’s construction trades 2.
The Villages is undergoing rapid construction growth, including residential expansions, commercial development, and upgrades to recreational facilities, all of which drive demand for skilled masons 2. From 2023 to 2025, permit filings for construction have spiked dramatically, with 61 permits in 2025 alone, compared to just 1 in 2024, reflecting this surge in opportunities 4.
With a projected Florida masonry market worth $2.3 billion by 2025, job security is strong in central Florida despite labor shortages 4. The Villages alone has 23 masonry jobs, and 10 masonry construction-specific roles posted on Indeed, alongside Glassdoor indicating 492 construction-related positions open 6, making it a competitive yet viable region for masonry professionals 76.
Masonry salaries in The Villages range between $20 and $31 per hour, with experienced masons earning up to $67,000 annually 2. Although this falls slightly below the $109,000 average for national construction roles 2, it offers stability and room for growth as demand increases and more specialized projects require skilled masons.
The table below summarizes wage and job data in masonry for The Villages, FL, in 2025:
| Job Source | Masonry Jobs Available | Hourly Pay Range | Notable Positions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indeed | 23 masonry + 10 masonry construction jobs | $20–$31/hour | Concrete Finisher, Senior Maintenance Technician |
| ZipRecruiter | 45 mason openings | $20–$31/hour | Mason Contractor, Senior Maintenance |
| Glassdoor | 492 construction roles, including masonry | Varies | Multiple construction roles, including masons and technicians |
The growth of masonry trade jobs in The Villages is driven by residential expansions, commercial and recreational construction, and rising demand for durable structures. For example, the new Eastport Town Center development and golf course renovations highlight ongoing masonry projects in the area 2. As local construction continues to boom, skilled masons are positioned to benefit from both employment opportunities and wage growth.
Starting a masonry career in The Villages is an exciting path with strong local demand and promising job stability in 2025. Whether you’re interested in an apprenticeship, gaining a license, or advancing your career in construction management, the time is right to enter the field. You can take the next step by exploring apprenticeship listings on Gild and connecting with local educational institutions that offer formal masonry training.
Ready to start your masonry career? Explore masonry apprenticeship opportunities in The Villages on Gild today!
https://www.ziprecruiter.com/Jobs/Mason/-in-The-Villages,FL ↩ ↩2
https://www.levelset.com/projects/florida/the-villages/commercial/ ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4 ↩5 ↩6 ↩7 ↩8
https://www.levelset.com/property-owners/the-villages-of-lake-sumter-inc-fl/permits/ ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4 ↩5 ↩6
https://www.wlrn.org/business/2024-10-17/report-sounds-alarm-about-south-floridas-construction-industry-and-its-working-conditions ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4 ↩5 ↩6
https://www.glassdoor.com/Job/the-villages-construction-jobs-SRCH_IL.0,12_IC1154443_KO13,25.htm ↩ ↩2 ↩3
https://www.indeed.com/q-masonry-l-the-villages,-fl-jobs.html ↩ ↩2
