Hiring guide · Skilled Trades & Construction
How to Hire a Tile Setter
Pay benchmarks, qualifications, sourcing, screening and interview questions for hiring tile setters, plus a plan to get them productive fast.
Write a clear job description, offer competitive pay (the national median is $55,690), recruit through registered apprenticeship programs and union halls, verify CTI where applicable, run a structured interview with a practical skills check, and onboard with a 30-60-90 day plan.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
The hiring market for tile setters
There are about 45,200 tile setters employed in the U.S., with roughly 3,300 openings each year. Employment is projected to change +9.8% from 2025–35 (much faster than average). Expect competition for qualified candidates: speed and a strong offer matter.
Pay benchmarks for offers
| Candidate level | Annual | Hourly* |
|---|---|---|
| Entry level (10th–25th percentile) | $37,140–$45,200 | $17.86–$21.73 |
| Typical / mid-career (median) | $55,690 | $26.77 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $70,220 | $33.76 |
| Top of market (90th percentile) | $86,110 | $41.40 |
*Annual ÷ 2,080 hours except median. National BLS data; adjust for your state and metro area. Many states and cities now require pay ranges in job postings.
What to look for
Must-haves
- No formal educational credential (typical entry level)
- Layout
- Precision
Nice-to-haves
- CTI
- ACT
- Union apprenticeship
- Experience with wet saws
Where to find tile setters
- Registered apprenticeship programs and union halls
- Trade and technical school placement offices
- Pre-apprenticeship and veterans programs
- Referrals from current crew members
- Job postings that use common alternate titles: Tile Installer, Tile and Stone Setter, Tile Mechanic, Marble Setter
Screening checklist
- Verify state licenses (apprentice registration, journeyworker, master) where required
- OSHA 10 or OSHA 30 cards and prior safety record
- Valid driver’s license and driving record if operating company vehicles
- A practical skills test or supervised trial task
Follow federal, state and local rules on background checks, drug testing and fair-chance hiring, and apply screening consistently to all candidates for the role.
Interview questions to ask
Ask every candidate the same questions and score answers on a structured scorecard.
1. “Show your work.”
What a strong answer includes: Share.
2. “How do you waterproof showers?”
What a strong answer includes: Explain.
3. “How do you lay out a room?”
What a strong answer includes: Explain.
4. “Have you set large-format tile?”
What a strong answer includes: Share.
5. “Do you have tools?”
What a strong answer includes: Answer.
Practical skills checks
A short demonstration beats a perfect resume. Ask candidates to talk you through, or perform under supervision, tasks such as:
- Lay Out a Tile Floor (see the steps)
- Waterproof a Shower (see the steps)
- Set Large-Format Tile Without Lippage (see the steps)
Red flags
- Can’t describe basic safety practices for the role
- Vague or inconsistent work history with no explanation
- Unfamiliar with core terms such as Thinset, Grout, Backer board
- Negative talk about every past employer or coworker
Onboard for retention
The first 90 days decide whether a new hire stays. Use our Tile Setter 30-60-90 day onboarding plan and give every new hire the same foundation with Tile Setter training. Show them the path forward: Tile Helper → Tile Setter → Lead Setter → Tile Contractor.
Hiring tile setters: FAQ
How much should I pay a tile setter?
The U.S. median wage for tile setters is $55,690 per year ($26.77/hour), according to BLS May 2025 data. Entry-level offers often fall near the 25th percentile ($45,200), while experienced hires command closer to the 75th percentile ($70,220). Adjust for your local market.
What qualifications should a tile setter have?
BLS lists “no formal educational credential” as the typical entry-level education. Look for CTI and ACT where relevant, plus skills such as layout, waterproofing, and tile cutting.
How long does it take to train a new tile setter?
Becoming qualified typically takes 1–3 years of training. After hire, plan for a structured 30-60-90 day onboarding period; BLS classifies on-the-job training for this occupation as “long-term on-the-job training.”