Career comparison
Plumber vs. Tile Setter
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Plumbers earn more at the median ($63,800 vs. $55,690), while tile setters usually get to work faster (1–3 years of training of training). Plumbers install and repair water, drain, gas and heating piping systems to code. Tile setters install tile and stone on floors, walls, showers and backsplashes.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Plumber | Tile Setter | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $63,800 ($30.67/hr) | $55,690 ($26.77/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $44,150 – $108,420 | $37,140 – $86,110 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | +6.8% (faster than average) | +9.8% (much faster than average) |
| Openings per year | 42,000 | 3,300 |
| Typical entry education | High school diploma or equivalent | No formal educational credential |
| Training time | 4–5 years (paid apprenticeship) | 1–3 years of training |
| Key credential | Journeyman plumber license | CTI |
| Work setting | Plumbers work in homes, businesses, factories and construction sites. | Tile setters work in homes, offices, hotels and hospitals.. |
What each job does
Plumber
- Read blueprints and plan pipe layouts
- Install water supply, drain, waste and vent piping
- Set and connect fixtures, water heaters and appliances
- Locate and repair leaks, clogs and broken pipes
- Test systems for pressure and leaks
Tile Setter
- Prep surfaces
- Waterproof showers
- Lay out patterns
- Cut tile
- Set tile
How they’re similar
Both careers involve hands-on work, physical work, working independently, and in-demand. Both are part of the skilled trades & construction field, so many skills transfer between them.
Which should you choose?
Choose plumber if…
- I like fixing things and figuring out what’s wrong
- Dirty or messy work doesn’t bother me
- I’m comfortable working in tight spaces
Choose tile setter if…
- I like precise work
- I have an eye for design
- I’m patient
Still torn? Take the Plumber fit quiz and the Tile Setter fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, plumber or tile setter?
Plumbers earn more at the median: $63,800 versus $55,690 for tile setters, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Tile Setters typically train faster (1–3 years of training) than plumbers (4–5 years (paid apprenticeship)).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects tile setters to grow +9.8% from 2025–35, compared with +6.8% for plumbers.