Carpet Installer
Install carpet in homes and businesses.
- $50,340
- A few weeks to months
Skilled Trades & Construction career
Floor Layer
Also called: Flooring Installer · LVP Installer · Vinyl Floor Installer · Hardwood Floor Installer
What floor layers do, what they earn, how long training takes and how to get started, with official BLS pay data and practical, job-level detail.
What does a floor layer do?
Floor layers, except carpet, wood and hard tiles, apply blocks, strips or sheets of shock-absorbing, sound-deadening or decorative coverings to floors. The median pay is $56,460 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about A few months on the job, and employment is projected to grow +9.0% from 2025–35.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
- Median pay$56,460$27.15/hour · May 2025
- Job growth+9.0%2025–35, much faster than average
- Openings per year2,200Average, 2025–35
- Typical entry educationNo formal educational credentialBLS classification
- Time to trainA few months on the jobTypical program length
- U.S. jobs29,800Employment, 2025
What floor layers do
Floor layers install today’s most popular floors. They prepare subfloors, test moisture, install luxury vinyl plank, sheet vinyl, laminate and rubber flooring, cut around doors and cabinets and finish transitions.
No formal education is required, and training is moderate. BLS projects faster than average growth.
Typical duties
- Prep subfloors
- Test moisture
- Level floors
- Install vinyl and laminate
- Cut and fit pieces
- Install transitions
- Clean up
Work environment and schedule
Floor layers work in homes and commercial buildings.
Schedule: Full time, often as contractors.
A day in the life
- Check the site.
- Test the slab for moisture.
- Skim-coat low spots.
- Install LVP.
See a full day in the life of a floor layer →
Floor Layer salary
Half of floor layers earned more than $56,460 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $37,600 for the lowest 10% to $96,700 for the top 10%.
Full floor layer pay scale and hourly rates →
How to become a floor layer
- Work as a helper
- Learn prep and installation
- Earn certification
- Install independently
- Start a business
No formal educational credential is required.
Step-by-step guide to becoming a floor layer →
Skills and tools
Technical skills
- Subfloor prep
- Moisture testing
- Floor leveling
- Plank installation
- Sheet vinyl
People skills
- Precision
- Patience
- Customer service
- Reliability
All floor layer skills and tools →
Pros and cons
Pros
- Faster-than-average growth
- No degree needed
- Can be self-employed
- Popular products
Cons
- Knee strain
- Dust
- Piece-rate pay
- Physical work
Certifications and licenses
- CFI certification: Certified Flooring Installers.
- Manufacturer certification: Brand-specific.
- OSHA 10: Safety.
- INSTALL training: Union program.
Career path
- Helper: Entry.
- Installer: Install.
- Lead Installer: Commercial jobs.
- Flooring Contractor: Business.
Learn the job before day one
Our Floor Layer training (8 hours, $74.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as install luxury vinyl plank and test a concrete slab for moisture, safety and how to land your first job.
Related careers
Tile Setter
Install tile and stone on floors, walls, showers and backsplashes.
- $55,690
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Floor Sander
Sand and refinish hardwood floors to make them look new.
- $50,440
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Carpenter
Build and repair frameworks, structures and finish work from wood and other materials.
- $60,580
- 3–4 years (apprenticeship)
Compare: Floor Layer vs. Carpet Installer · Floor Layer vs. Tile Setter · Floor Layer vs. Floor Sander · Floor Layer vs. Carpenter
Floor Layer FAQ
Is flooring growing?
Yes, BLS projects faster than average growth.
Do I need a degree?
No.
Is certification needed?
Not required, but it helps.
How much does a floor layer make?
The median annual wage for floor layers was $56,460 ($27.15 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $37,600 and the highest 10% earned more than $96,700.
How long does it take to become a floor layer?
Most people need about A few months on the job of training. No formal educational credential is required.
Do you need a degree to be a floor layer?
No four-year degree is typically required. BLS lists “no formal educational credential” as the typical entry-level education, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 47-2042 (Floor layers, except carpet, wood, and hard tiles).
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
- O*NET OnLine summary for Floor layers, except carpet, wood, and hard tiles (U.S. Department of Labor).
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.