Mason Tender / Hod Carrier Recruiters
At Skilled Trades Headhunters, this is what we do all day: recruit skilled trades professionals.
Select the right person to handle material supply and site coordination for your masonry crew.
No upfront fee. You pay only if you hire.
We offer a candidate replacement guarantee on standard search agreements. The applicable period and exact terms are set out in the signed client recruiting agreement.
Tell us who you need.
Role and contact first. The rest is optional.
- No upfront fee
- Pay only if you hire
- Skilled trades only
- We reach tradespeople who aren't on job boards
- Replacement guarantee on standard searches
What this hire really comes down to
Masonry output depends on how well the tender keeps the wall supplied and the workspace organized. A successful tender manages the mixing station, monitors heavy equipment, and maintains safety protocols. This person must know how to rig loads and move materials without damaging supplies. They ensure the mason remains focused on layout and joint finishing rather than logistics. You must evaluate their familiarity with scaffold safety and their ability to keep a steady rhythm. The right choice prevents site stalls and keeps the masonry team moving forward through the build.
At this level, the role shifts from mere labor to specialized site coordination. You are managing the mixing station, handling the movement of hydraulic equipment, and acting as the safety eyes for the mason who is head-down working. You must understand how to rig loads safely and maintain the integrity of material pallets to prevent waste or breakage. Transitioning from basic labor to a true tender requires a deep grasp of trade sequence and site geometry. You are the barrier between a productive crew and a messy, stalled site. When you perform well, the masonry crew produces higher quality work because their attention remains on the layout and joint finishing rather than logistics and heavy material repositioning.
What we check before you see anyone
- Verify their ability to lift heavy units repeatedly while maintaining a steady rhythm that does not disrupt the pace of the mason on the wall.
- Assess their knowledge of mortar mixing ratios and consistency to ensure the product is workable for the specific brick or block type being installed.
- Confirm their familiarity with scaffold safety protocols, including loading capacity limits, guardrail compliance, and maintaining clear pathways for material transport and crew egress.
- Evaluate their experience with site material management, specifically keeping the mason supplied with varied unit sizes and colors without overfilling the workspace.
- Check their proficiency in operating and maintaining small tools and mixers to prevent mechanical failures from halting the progress of the entire masonry team.
- Review their understanding of site cleanliness and debris removal, as a cluttered workspace increases trip hazards and slows down the critical layout work of the mason.
Where we find them
Most qualified candidates come from general construction laborer pools where they have spent time cleaning sites and supporting various trades. These individuals are moving toward masonry because they want to develop a trade-specific skill set that offers more consistent, long-term work than general demolition or cleanup tasks. Look for workers who have gained experience in concrete or block handling during their time as general labor, as they already understand the physical toll and the specific rhythm of a job site.
Another source includes candidates currently in apprentice programs who need field hours to progress toward journeyman status. They move to tender roles because they seek to understand the structural foundation and material science of masonry from the ground up. These individuals are often the most reliable because their career advancement depends on learning the material supply chain. They are not looking for temporary work but for a firm understanding of how to run a crew efficiently and safely.
Mistakes we see
- Hiring candidates based purely on physical size without testing their ability to maintain a consistent pace and mortar mix throughout an eight-hour shift of strenuous labor.
- Ignoring the need for basic site safety awareness and assuming the mason will manage all safety aspects for the tender during the progress of the wall.
- Overlooking candidates with general construction experience because they lack specific masonry training, even though their work habits and stamina are ideal for the job's demands.
The search in three steps
Evaluate Trade Experience
Check their previous work history for active site engagement. Look for experience in heavy material handling, scaffold work, and the maintenance of small mechanical tools on active job sites.
Assess Physical Readiness
Discuss their capacity for repetitive lifting and walking on uneven surfaces. Determine if they understand the stamina required for a full day of mixing and transporting masonry units.
Confirm Operational Fit
Ask how they coordinate their workflow with the mason. Successful tenders demonstrate a focus on planning their material drops to avoid rework and ensure the mason never waits.
Before you start the search
Are there specific state licenses required for masonry tending?
Mason tending is not typically a state-licensed trade. However, you must verify any local or site-specific requirements regarding scaffold safety training or equipment operation permits with your local jurisdiction and site authorities.
How does this role handle seasonal travel or changing shifts?
Masonry is exterior-facing and highly dependent on weather conditions. Expect shifts to fluctuate with light levels and temperature, and be prepared for travel as site locations change based on project requirements.
What happens if a candidate accepts a counteroffer elsewhere?
Candidates who use offers to stay in their current position are rarely the right long-term fit for a physically demanding role. Move quickly to your next qualified candidate to maintain project momentum.
How soon can a candidate join our crew?
The timeline depends on their current notice period and any pending site safety documentation. Once the screening phase ends, we move to confirm start dates that minimize downtime for your masonry team.
When do we pay for a mason tender / hod carrier search?
No upfront fee. You pay only if you hire. Fee terms are set out in the signed agreement.
Pay snapshot
$47,550 annual median · $22.86 hourly median
SOC 47-3011: Helpers--Brickmasons, Blockmasons, Stonemasons, and Tile and Marble Setters. United States. Broader occupation.
BLS groups Mason Tender / Hod Carrier within Helpers--Brickmasons, Blockmasons, Stonemasons, and Tile and Marble Setters; it does not publish this niche title or credential level separately.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Released 2026-05-15. No estimate replaces a missing BLS value.
See the full salary guideOpen roles
What happens in The Six-Step Search?
Every Skilled Trades Headhunters client search follows the same six named steps. Here is what happens at each one and what you get from it.
- 1
Intake and calibration
We agree on the work, location, pay, schedule and credentials before contacting anyone.
What you get: You get a clear role profile with the deal breakers named up front.
- 2
Targeted market research
We map the trade backgrounds and local or traveling talent that fit. We use relevant employer types, referrals and public license lookups where available.
What you get: You get a search aimed at the actual work, not a job title alone.
- 3
Personal outreach
We contact working tradespeople individually about the opening and what would make a move worthwhile.
What you get: You reach people who are not replying to your job advertisement.
- 4
Live qualification
Each person is talked through the scope, equipment and schedule in a live conversation. Applicable licenses are checked with the issuing authority.
What you get: You only hear about people who understand the job and want it.
- 5
Written shortlist insight
We present a short list with a written brief on each person: what they do now, what they want and what to probe.
What you get: You interview a few people instead of reading a stack.
- 6
Interview and offer support
We help you prepare interviews, discuss the offer and address counteroffers. We stay in touch through the agreed start.
What you get: You have support for the hiring decision. The signed agreement sets the replacement terms.
What we do not do
- No hourly billing and no workers on our payroll.
- No retainer unless agreed in writing.
- No reposting your opening on job boards.
- Not a same-day labor hall.
- No drug, MVR or background checks; your company runs any the role requires.
Details on how our fee works.
Start a Search
Select the right person to handle material supply and site coordination for your masonry crew.
Contingency search. No fee unless you hire.
Tell us who you need.
No upfront fee. You pay only if you hire.