Skilled Trades & Construction career

Manufactured Home Installer

Also called: Mobile Home Installer · Modular Home Setter · Home Setup Technician · Manufactured Housing Technician

What manufactured home installers do, what they earn, how long training takes and how to get started, with official BLS pay data and practical, job-level detail.

Updated By the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team
What does a manufactured home installer do?

Manufactured building and mobile home installers move or install mobile homes or prefabricated buildings, connecting utilities and leveling structures. The median pay is $45,990 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about A few weeks to months, and employment is projected to grow +5.8% from 2025–35.

Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026

  • Median pay
    $45,990
    $22.11/hour · May 2025
  • Job growth
    +5.8%
    2025–35, faster than average
  • Openings per year
    300
    Average, 2025–35
  • Typical entry education
    High school diploma or equivalent
    BLS classification
  • Time to train
    A few weeks to months
    Typical program length
  • U.S. jobs
    3,500
    Employment, 2025

What manufactured home installers do

Manufactured home installers turn delivered homes into livable houses. They set homes on piers or foundations, level and anchor them, join sections, connect utilities and finish skirting and steps.

A high school diploma and short training are typical; many states license installers. BLS projects faster than average growth.

Typical duties

  • Set homes
  • Level homes
  • Install anchors
  • Join sections
  • Connect utilities
  • Install skirting
  • Do final inspections

Work environment and schedule

Installers work outdoors at home sites and parks.

Schedule: Full time, often traveling to sites.

A day in the life

  1. Review the site plan.
  2. Set piers.
  3. Position the home.
  4. Level and block.

See a full day in the life of a manufactured home installer →

Manufactured Home Installer salary

Half of manufactured home installers earned more than $45,990 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $27,120 for the lowest 10% to $60,810 for the top 10%.

Full manufactured home installer pay scale and hourly rates →

How to become a manufactured home installer

  1. Finish high school
  2. Join a setup crew
  3. Learn installation
  4. Complete installer training
  5. Get licensed

A high school diploma and short-term on-the-job training are typical.

Step-by-step guide to becoming a manufactured home installer →

Skills and tools

Technical skills

  • Leveling
  • Anchoring
  • Section joining
  • Utility hookups
  • Skirting

People skills

  • Teamwork
  • Problem-solving
  • Reliability
  • Customer service

All manufactured home installer skills and tools →

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Faster-than-average growth
  • Varied work
  • Short training
  • Affordable housing mission

Cons

  • Weather
  • Travel
  • Crawl space work
  • Heavy lifting

Certifications and licenses

  • State installer license: Required in many states.
  • HUD installation training: Federal standards.
  • OSHA 10: Safety.
  • Plumbing and electrical basics: Helpful.

Career path

  1. Helper: Entry.
  2. Installer: Install.
  3. Lead Installer: Lead.
  4. Licensed Contractor: Business.

Learn the job before day one

Our Manufactured Home Installer training (8 hours, $74.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as level a manufactured home and install tie-downs to code, safety and how to land your first job.

View Manufactured Home Installer trainingIs this career right for me?

Carpenter

Build and repair frameworks, structures and finish work from wood and other materials.

  • $60,580
  • 3–4 years (apprenticeship)

Construction Laborer

Prepare sites, move materials, pour concrete and support every trade on the job.

  • $47,120
  • Days to weeks (on the job)

Plumber

Install and repair water, drain, gas and heating piping systems to code.

  • $63,800
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RV Technician

Repair the systems in motorhomes, campers and travel trailers.

  • $52,000
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Compare: Manufactured Home Installer vs. Carpenter · Manufactured Home Installer vs. Construction Laborer · Manufactured Home Installer vs. Plumber · Manufactured Home Installer vs. RV Technician

Manufactured Home Installer FAQ

Do I need a license?

Many states require one.

Is the job growing?

Yes, BLS projects faster than average growth.

What is the HUD code?

The federal standard for manufactured homes.

How much does a manufactured home installer make?

The median annual wage for manufactured home installers was $45,990 ($22.11 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $27,120 and the highest 10% earned more than $60,810.

How long does it take to become a manufactured home installer?

Most people need about A few weeks to months of training. A high school diploma and short-term on-the-job training are typical.

Do you need a degree to be a manufactured home installer?

No four-year degree is typically required. BLS lists “high school diploma or equivalent” as the typical entry-level education, plus short-term on-the-job training.

More manufactured home installer questions →

Sources

Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.

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