Type S mortar mix is a high-strength mortar used for structural masonry, including brick, block, and stone walls. It provides excellent bond strength and is suitable for both above-grade and below-grade applications.
Unit Price
$6.00
per 80-lb bag
Labor Cost
$2.00
per 80-lb bag
Durability
50
years lifespan
Sustainability
3/5
Average
Category: Masonry
Range: $4.00 – $9.00/80-lb bag
Waste Factor: 10%
Avg Project: $400
Quick answer: Mortar Mix cost in 2026
Mortar Mix costs about $6.00 per 80-lb bag (typical range $4.00–$9.00) plus roughly $2.00 per 80-lb bag for installation labor, or about $8.00 per 80-lb bag installed. Order 10% extra for waste: 500 80-lb bags becomes 550 80-lb bags, about $3,300 in material and $4,300 installed. HammerIO planning estimates, a national baseline adjusted by regional factors on city and state pages.
Labor is priced by brickmasons: the BLS OEWS May 2025 median wage is $29.87/hr nationally, $44.37 in New York and $28.56 in Dallas. Last reviewed .
Estimate Mortar Mix (Type S) Cost Before You Order or Compare Bids
Step 1
Price Mortar Mix (Type S) by the right unit
Start with the measured quantity in 80-lb bags, then compare the current unit range of $4.00 to $9.00 per 80-lb bag.
Step 2
Add waste, labor, and install accessories
Apply the default 10% waste factor, then include labor, fasteners, trim, adhesives, delivery, rental tools, and other project-specific accessories.
Step 3
Use the result to check written bids
Compare the calculator result against supplier units and contractor line items, then verify code, permit, and site-condition assumptions before ordering.
Contractor Takeoff Notes
How to Budget Mortar Mix (Type S) Without Missing Hidden Costs
Mortar Mix (Type S) should be budgeted as a complete installed assembly, not only as a commodity unit price. Quantity, waste, labor, local supply, code requirements, and the accessories needed for installation drive the final project cost.
$888
sample total for 111 80-lb bags
Price drivers
+Unit price ranges from $4.00 to $9.00 per 80-lb bag, with $6.00 as the national midpoint used in this calculator.
+Labor is modeled at $2.00 per 80-lb bag, but local contractor rates and project access can move that number sharply.
+The default 10% waste factor covers typical cuts and field losses; complex layouts need a larger buffer.
Ordering checks
+Measure the installed quantity in 80-lb bags before adding waste or accessories.
+Confirm grade, thickness, profile, warranty, and code requirements before comparing quotes.
Cost/Year = unit price divided by expected lifespan. Lower cost/year indicates better long-term value. Note: units may differ between materials.
Best Uses
Brick laying
Block walls
Stone walls
Tuckpointing
Material Details
Average Project Cost
$400
Typical project using this material
Sustainability Rating
Average, moderate environmental impact
Waste Factor
10%
Order 10% extra to account for cuts, breakage, and fitting
Mortar Mix (Type S): Complete Buying Guide 2026
Type S mortar mix is a high-strength mortar used for structural masonry, including brick, block, and stone walls. It provides excellent bond strength and is suitable for both above-grade and below-grade applications. In 2026, mortar mix (type s) prices average $6.00 per 80-lb bag, with a typical range of $4.00 to $9.00 depending on your region, supplier relationships, and order quantity.
When budgeting for a project using mortar mix (type s), factor in approximately 10% additional material for waste, plus labor costs averaging $2.00 per 80-lb bag for professional installation. A typical project using this material runs approximately $400 including both materials and labor.
With an expected lifespan of 50 years, mortar mix (type s) represents a cost of approximately $0.12 per 80-lb bag per year of service life. This exceptional longevity makes it one of the most cost-effective materials when measured over its full lifespan.
For searchers comparing bids, the key number is not only the shelf price. The installed cost for mortar mix (type s) depends on accessory materials, waste, job access, minimum order size, delivery, regional labor rates, and whether the project needs permit or code-driven upgrades. This page combines the HammerIO material database with 2026 cost modeling, contractor takeoff assumptions, and public construction cost references.
Computed from this page's planning figures: material = quantity × (1 + 10% waste) × unit price; labor = quantity × $2.00 per 80-lb bag. Delivery, fasteners, adhesives, rental tools and permits are extra.
Quantity needed
Order (+10% waste)
Material (low – typical – high)
Labor allowance
Installed (typical)
100 80-lb bags
111 80-lb bags
$444 – $666 – $999
$200
$866
500 80-lb bags
550 80-lb bags
$2,200 – $3,300 – $4,950
$1,000
$4,300
1,000 80-lb bags
1,100 80-lb bags
$4,400 – $6,600 – $9,900
$2,000
$8,600
HammerIO planning estimates (national baseline adjusted by regional factors). Verify permit requirements with your local building department.
Who Installs Mortar Mix: Brickmasons Wages in the 10 Largest Metros
The $2.00 per 80-lb bag labor allowance is a national figure. To localize it, compare your metro's median wage for brickmasons and blockmasons with the U.S. median below and scale the allowance by the same ratio.
Brickmasons: median hourly wage, 10 largest U.S. metros vs. national (BLS OEWS May 2025)
Metro area
Median wage
vs. U.S. median
United States
$29.87/hr
baseline
New York, NY-NJ
$44.37/hr
+49%
Los Angeles, CA
$30.51/hr
+2%
Chicago, IL-IN
$43.26/hr
+45%
Dallas, TX
$28.56/hr
-4%
Houston, TX
$27.12/hr
-9%
Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV
$29.17/hr
-2%
Miami, FL
$27.16/hr
-9%
Philadelphia, PA-NJ-DE-MD
$36.52/hr
+22%
Atlanta, GA
$27.21/hr
-9%
Phoenix, AZ
$28.55/hr
-4%
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), median hourly wages. These are employee wages, not contractor billing rates, a contractor's quoted hourly rate adds overhead, insurance, equipment and profit on top of the wage. “, ” means BLS did not publish a metro estimate for that occupation. Occupation: Brickmasons and Blockmasons (SOC 47-2021).
New York, NY-NJ brickmasons earn a median $44.37/hr (+49% vs. the $29.87 U.S. median) while Houston, TX is $27.12/hr (-9%). For a 500-80-lb bag job that moves the $1,000 national labor allowance to roughly $908 in Houston, TX and $1,485 in New York, NY-NJ, before contractor overhead and profit. See the state construction cost pages for statewide figures.
Methodology & Data Sources: Mortar Mix (Type S) Cost Data
How we calculate Mortar Mix (Type S) costs: Our pricing model combines the HammerIO material database (planning estimates, a national baseline adjusted by regional factors on city and state pages), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS May 2025 trade wages for the labor allowance, EPA Environmentally Preferable Purchasing guidance for sustainability ratings, DOE Building Technologies Office benchmarks for energy-related materials, and contractor takeoff assumptions. Unit prices are reviewed quarterly and cross-checked against common supplier ranges where available.
Unit price ($6.00/80-lb bag): National midpoint estimate for mid-market grade materials sourced through standard supply channels.
Average project cost ($400): Derived from material quantity, labor allowance, waste, and typical residential/light commercial installation assumptions.
Waste factor (10%): Per NAHB (National Association of Home Builders) construction waste estimation guidelines, accounting for cuts, breakage, and field adjustments.
Durability (50 years): HammerIO planning estimate based on typical manufacturer warranty periods and expected service life for the material class under normal residential use.
Sustainability rating (3/5): Composite score from EPA Environmentally Preferable Purchasing criteria, including embodied carbon, recyclability, and VOC emissions per LEED v4.1 thresholds.
Disclaimer: Construction material prices vary significantly by region, supplier, project volume, and market conditions. The figures shown represent national averages and should be used for budgeting and comparison purposes only. Always obtain local contractor quotes before committing to a project budget.
Reviewed by Rowan Ashby · Last updated September 17, 2026 · Pricing sourced from the HammerIO 2026 material database (planning estimates), BLS OEWS May 2025 trade wages, public agency guidance, and contractor takeoff assumptions
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Mortar Mix (Type S) costs an average of $6.00 per 80-lb bag in 2026. Prices range from $4.00 to $9.00 per 80-lb bag depending on your location, supplier, and quantity purchased. A typical project using mortar mix (type s) costs approximately $400.
How long does mortar mix (type s) last?
Mortar Mix (Type S) has an expected lifespan of approximately 50 years when properly installed and maintained. Actual durability depends on climate exposure, installation quality, and maintenance practices. This is considered a very long-lasting material that often outlasts the building itself.
What is mortar mix (type s) used for?
Mortar Mix (Type S) is commonly used for Brick laying, Block walls, Stone walls, Tuckpointing. It falls in the Masonry category of construction materials. Type S mortar mix is a high-strength mortar used for structural masonry, including brick, block, and stone walls. It provides excellent bond strength and is suitable for both above-grade and below-grade applications.
How much waste should I plan for with mortar mix (type s)?
Plan for approximately 10% waste when ordering mortar mix (type s). For a project requiring 100 80-lb bags of material, you should order 111 80-lb bags to account for cuts, breakage, and fitting. Waste factors vary by project complexity and installer experience.
What are alternatives to mortar mix (type s)?
Common alternatives to Mortar Mix (Type S) include Thin-Set Mortar. Each alternative offers different trade-offs in terms of cost, durability, and performance. Thin-Set Mortar costs $18.00 per 50-lb bag and lasts approximately 50 years.
Is mortar mix (type s) sustainable?
Mortar Mix (Type S) has a sustainability rating of 3 out of 5 (Average). This material has an average environmental impact. Consider locally sourced options when available to reduce transportation-related emissions.
How much does 500 80-lb bags of mortar mix cost installed?
Ordering 500 80-lb bags with the 10% waste factor means buying 550 80-lb bags: about $3,300 in material at the $6.00 planning price (range $2,200–$4,950), plus roughly $1,000 in installation labor at the $2.00 per 80-lb bag allowance, about $4,300 total before delivery, fasteners, adhesives and permits. These are HammerIO planning estimates (national baseline); regional factors and supplier quotes move the final number.
Who installs mortar mix and what do they earn per hour in 2026?
Mortar Mix is typically installed by brickmasons. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS, May 2025) reports a national median wage of $29.87 per hour for Brickmasons and Blockmasons, ranging from $27.12 in Houston, TX to $44.37 in New York, NY-NJ among the ten largest metros. Contractor billing rates run higher than the wage because they include overhead, insurance, equipment and profit, so use the metro-to-national ratio, not the wage itself, to adjust the labor allowance on this page.