Tile and stone setters
SOC Code: 47-2044Also known as:
Acoustical Carpenter, Acoustical Installer, Acoustical Material Worker, Bathroom Fitter, Ceramic Tile Installer
Median Annual Salary
$52,240
+10.1% growth (2024-2034)
4K
Openings/Year
53K
Current Jobs
What Tile and stone setters Do
Apply hard tile, stone, and comparable materials to walls, floors, ceilings, countertops, and roof decks.
💰 Salary
$52,240
Median annual wage (2024)
📈 Job Growth
+10.1%
Much faster than average
🎓 Education
No formal educational credential
Typical entry-level requirement
🚀 Annual Openings
4K
Projected average per year
📚 On-the-Job Training
Long-term on-the-job training
Expected training period
Employment Projections (2024-2034)
Current Employment (2024)
52,600
Projected Employment (2034)
58,000
Related Careers
Stonemasons
$51,990 •
-3.0% growth
Floor layers, except carpet, wood, and hard tiles
$54,340 •
+9.5% growth
Terrazzo workers and finishers
$57,260 •
-11.1% growth
Helpers--brickmasons, blockmasons, stonemasons, and tile and marble setters
$46,480 •
-10.5% growth
Molders, shapers, and casters, except metal and plastic
$45,690 •
+6.2% growth
Top Skills Required
Active Listening
Speaking
Mathematics
Critical Thinking
Coordination
Daily Tasks & Responsibilities
- Align and straighten tile using levels, squares, and straightedges.
- Finish and dress the joints and wipe excess grout from between tiles, using damp sponge.
- Cut and shape tile to fit around obstacles and into odd spaces and corners, using hand and power cutting tools.
- Determine and implement the best layout to achieve a desired pattern.
- Mix, apply, and spread plaster, concrete, mortar, cement, mastic, glue or other adhesives to form a bed for the tiles, using brush, trowel and screed.
- Study blueprints and examine surface to be covered to determine amount of material needed.
- Measure and mark surfaces to be tiled, following blueprints.
- Lay and set mosaic tiles to create decorative wall, mural, and floor designs.
- Apply mortar to tile back, position the tile, and press or tap with trowel handle to affix tile to base.
- Mix and apply mortar or cement to edges and ends of drain tiles to seal halves and joints.
Technology & Tools
📚 Entry-Level Education
No formal educational credential
Most common requirement
🎯 Recommended Education
High School Diploma
O*NET recommended level
Degree Programs for Tile and stone setters
These degree programs can prepare you for a career as a tile and stone setters:
Mason/Masonry
378 degrees awarded •
33 colleges offer this program
Carpet, Floor, and Tile Worker
21 degrees awarded •
1 colleges offer this program
Best Colleges for Becoming a Tile and stone setters
Ranked by Repit grade, then by degrees in related programs. These are the top-rated colleges that prepare students to become tile and stone setters.
Want this ranking as a spreadsheet? Investor Pro+ members can export any Repit table to CSV. See plans →
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do tile and stone setters make?
The median annual salary for tile and stone setters is $52,240.
What education do tile and stone setters need?
Most tile and stone setters positions require a no formal educational credential.
Common degree programs include Mason/Masonry, Carpet, Floor, and Tile Worker.
Is becoming tile and stone setters a good career choice?
Tile and stone setters is projected to see +10.1% job growth from 2024 to 2034,
which is much faster than average for all occupations. With approximately 4,200 job openings expected annually,
there are good opportunities for those entering the field.
What are the best colleges for tile and stone setters?
Top colleges for aspiring tile and stone setters include
Williamson College of the Trades, Tulsa Technology Center, Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Crossville, Emily Griffith Technical College, Central Arizona 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 tile and stone setters?
Tile and stone setters may also be known as: Acoustical Carpenter, Acoustical Installer, Acoustical Material Worker, Bathroom Fitter, Ceramic Tile Installer, Ceramic Tile Mechanic, Ceramic Tile Setter, Floor Tile Layer, Granite Countertop Installer, Granite Fabricator, Granite Installer, Hard Tile Setter, Installer, Marble Ceiling Installer, Marble Finisher, Marble Installer, Marble Setter, Marble Worker, Mastic Floor Layer, Mosaic Floor Layer.
These titles often refer to similar roles with varying responsibilities or specializations.