Tile Setter

Impact: Beautiful, durable tile installations that enhance the value and aesthetics of homes and commercial spaces

Install ceramic, porcelain, stone, and glass tile on floors, walls, and countertops in residential and commercial projects, using layout planning, surface preparation, and precision installation techniques to deliver durable and aesthetically excellent results.

What the day looks like

People interaction: Minimal
Team vs solo: 50% Team / 50% Solo
Client facing: Sometimes
Impact visibility: Moderate
Travel: 10 to 20% within local market
Schedule flexibility: Moderate
Remote work: On-site Only
Typical work hours: 40 to 55 hours/week
Stress level: Moderate

At a glance

Median salary: $58,000
Entry-level: $35,000 - $48,000
Senior: $85,000+
Growth by 2033: 4% (stable, tied to construction industry)
Demand: Stable
Freelance potential: High
Salary growth potential: Moderate, with 50 to 80% growth; master tile setters and business owners earn significantly more
Typical student debt: $0 - $5,000

Skills you'll use

Hard skills

Tile Layout & Pattern Planning
Thinset & Grout Application
Wet Saw Operation
Waterproofing & Membrane Installation
Large Format Tile Handling

Soft skills

Attention to Detail
Spatial Reasoning
Time Management
Client Communication
Craftsmanship

Technical complexity: Moderate

How to get there

Minimum education: High School Diploma
Licensing: Varies by State
Years to mid-career: 3 to 5 years
Years to senior: 7 to 12 years
Career switching: Moderate

Where this career leads

How people arrive here

Where you can go from here

Typical progression

Tile Helper > Apprentice Tile Setter > Journeyman Tile Setter > Master Tile Setter > Tile Contractor

Future outlook

Automation probability: 20% moderate risk; robotic tile setting is emerging but complex patterns and custom work remain manual
AI disruption risk: Low
Demand trend: Stable

How people feel about it

Overall satisfaction: 7.2/10
Meaning: 7/10
Work-life balance: 7/10
Prestige: 5.5/10
Social perception: Moderate