What Does a Tile Setter Do? Duties, Pay & Outlook

What does a tile setter do?

Tile and stone setters apply hard tile, marble and wood tile to walls, floors, ceilings and roof decks. The median pay is $55,690 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about 1–3 years of training, and employment is projected to grow +9.8% from 2025–35.

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

Median pay
$55,690
$26.77/hour · May 2025
Job growth
+9.8%
2025–35, much faster than average
Openings per year
3,300
Average, 2025–35
Typical entry education
No formal educational credential
BLS classification
Time to train
1–3 years of training
Typical program length
U.S. jobs
45,200
Employment, 2025

What tile setters do

Tile setters create durable, beautiful surfaces. They prep substrates, waterproof showers, lay out patterns, cut and set ceramic, porcelain and stone tile, and grout and seal finished work in homes and commercial buildings.

No formal education is required, and training is long. BLS projects faster than average growth.

Typical duties

Prep surfaces
Waterproof showers
Lay out patterns
Cut tile
Set tile
Grout
Seal stone

Work environment and schedule

Tile setters work in homes, offices, hotels and hospitals.

Schedule: Full time, often as contractors.

A day in the life

7:00 AMCheck the substrate.
7:30 AMInstall a shower membrane.
9:30 AMSnap layout lines.
10:30 AMSet floor tile.

See a full day in the life of a tile setter →

Tile Setter salary

Half of tile setters earned more than $55,690 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $37,140 for the lowest 10% to $86,110 for the top 10%.

$37,14010th$55,690Median$86,11090th

Full tile setter pay scale and hourly rates →

How to become a tile setter

Work as a tile helper
Learn layout and setting
Join an apprenticeship
Earn CTI
Start a business

No formal educational credential is required; apprenticeships help.

Step-by-step guide to becoming a tile setter →

Skills and tools

Technical skills

Layout
Waterproofing
Tile cutting
Setting
Grouting

People skills

Precision
Patience
Eye for design
Customer service

All tile setter skills and tools →

Pros and cons

Pros

Faster-than-average growth
Artistic work
Can be self-employed
No degree needed

Cons

Knee and back strain
Heavy materials
Dust from cutting
Mistakes are costly

Certifications and licenses

CTI: Certified Tile Installer (CTEF).
ACT: Advanced Certifications for Tile Installers.
Union apprenticeship: Helpful.
OSHA 10: Safety.

Career path

Tile Helper: Entry.
Tile Setter: Set.
Lead Setter: Lead.
Tile Contractor: Business.

Learn the job before day one

Our Tile Setter training (8 hours, $74.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as lay out a tile floor and waterproof a shower, safety and how to land your first job.

View Tile Setter training Is this career right for me?

Floor Layer

Install vinyl, laminate, wood and resilient floors.

$56,460
A few months on the job

Terrazzo Worker

Pour, grind and polish terrazzo floors in airports, schools and lobbies.

$76,170
3–4 year apprenticeship

Brickmason

Build durable walls, chimneys and structures from brick, block and stone.

$62,120
3–4 years (apprenticeship)

Plumber

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

$63,800
4–5 years (paid apprenticeship)

Compare: Tile Setter vs. Floor Layer · Tile Setter vs. Terrazzo Worker · Tile Setter vs. Brickmason · Tile Setter vs. Plumber

Tile Setter FAQ

Is tile setting growing?

Yes, BLS projects faster than average growth.

Do I need certification?

Not required, but CTI helps.

Is it physically hard?

Yes, especially on knees.

How much does a tile setter make?

The median annual wage for tile setters was $55,690 ($26.77 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $37,140 and the highest 10% earned more than $86,110.

How long does it take to become a tile setter?

Most people need about 1–3 years of training of training. No formal educational credential is required; apprenticeships help.

Do you need a degree to be a tile setter?

No four-year degree is typically required. BLS lists “no formal educational credential” as the typical entry-level education, plus long-term on-the-job training.

Sources

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 47-2044 (Tile and stone setters).
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
O*NET OnLine summary for Tile and stone setters (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.

Tile Setter