Carpet installers
SOC Code: 47-2041Also known as:
Carpet Cleaning Tech (Carpet Cleaning Technician), Carpet Installation Specialist, Carpet Installer, Carpet Layer, Carpet Mechanic
Median Annual Salary
$49,850
-9.6% growth (2024-2034)
1K
Openings/Year
20K
Current Jobs
What Carpet installers Do
Lay and install carpet from rolls or blocks on floors. Install padding and trim flooring materials.
💰 Salary
$49,850
Median annual wage (2024)
📈 Job Growth
-9.6%
Decline
🎓 Education
No formal educational credential
Typical entry-level requirement
🚀 Annual Openings
1K
Projected average per year
📚 On-the-Job Training
Short-term on-the-job training
Expected training period
Employment Projections (2024-2034)
Current Employment (2024)
20,300
Projected Employment (2034)
18,300
Related Careers
Floor layers, except carpet, wood, and hard tiles
$54,340 •
+9.5% growth
Floor sanders and finishers
$49,150 •
+2.6% growth
Tile and stone setters
$52,240 •
+10.1% growth
Drywall and ceiling tile installers
$58,140 •
+4.2% growth
Insulation workers, floor, ceiling, and wall
$48,680 •
+3.8% growth
Top Skills Required
Monitoring
Coordination
Mathematics
Critical Thinking
Quality Control Analysis
Daily Tasks & Responsibilities
- Inspect the surface to be covered to determine its condition, and correct any imperfections that might show through carpet or cause carpet to wear unevenly.
- Roll out, measure, mark, and cut carpeting to size with a carpet knife, following floor sketches and allowing extra carpet for final fitting.
- Join edges of carpet and seam edges where necessary, by sewing or by using tape with glue and heated carpet iron.
- Cut and trim carpet to fit along wall edges, openings, and projections, finishing the edges with a wall trimmer.
- Plan the layout of the carpet, allowing for expected traffic patterns and placing seams for best appearance and longest wear.
- Stretch carpet to align with walls and ensure a smooth surface, and press carpet in place over tack strips or use staples, tape, tacks or glue to hold carpet in place.
- Take measurements and study floor sketches to calculate the area to be carpeted and the amount of material needed.
- Install carpet on some floors using adhesive, following prescribed method.
- Clean up before and after installation, including vacuuming carpet and discarding remnant pieces.
- Measure, cut and install tackless strips along the baseboard or wall.
Technology & Tools
📚 Entry-Level Education
No formal educational credential
Most common requirement
🎯 Recommended Education
High School Diploma
O*NET recommended level
Degree Programs for Carpet installers
These degree programs can prepare you for a career as a carpet installers:
Carpet, Floor, and Tile Worker
21 degrees awarded •
1 colleges offer this program
Best Colleges for Becoming a Carpet installers
Ranked by Repit grade, then by degrees in related programs. These are the top-rated colleges that prepare students to become carpet installers.
| # | College | Location | Related Degrees | Repit Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ivy Tech Community College | Indianapolis, IN | 21 | C |
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much do carpet installers make?
The median annual salary for carpet installers is $49,850.
What education do carpet installers need?
Most carpet installers positions require a no formal educational credential.
Common degree programs include Carpet, Floor, and Tile Worker.
Is becoming carpet installers a good career choice?
Carpet installers is projected to see -9.6% job growth from 2024 to 2034,
which reflects some decline in the field. With approximately 1,100 job openings expected annually,
there are good opportunities for those entering the field.
What are the best colleges for carpet installers?
Top colleges for aspiring carpet installers include
Ivy Tech Community College.
These schools are ranked based on their Repit grade and the number of graduates in related programs.
What other job titles are similar to carpet installers?
Carpet installers may also be known as: Carpet Cleaning Tech (Carpet Cleaning Technician), Carpet Installation Specialist, Carpet Installer, Carpet Layer, Carpet Mechanic, Carpet Technician, Carpet Tile Layer, Commercial Carpet Installer, Commercial Floor Covering Installer, Floor Coverer, Floor Coverer Installer, Floor Covering Installer, Floor Installation Mechanic, Floor Technician, Flooring Installer, Installer, Residential Carpet Installer, Rug Layer, Subcontractor Installer, Wall-to-Wall Carpet Installer.
These titles often refer to similar roles with varying responsibilities or specializations.