Carpet Installers
Job Zone 2 - Some preparation needed
Lay and install carpet from rolls or blocks on floors. Install padding and trim flooring materials.
Median pay: $50,340/yr (U.S. national, May 2025)
Typical range nationwide (10th–90th percentile). This is a population snapshot, not a personal prediction - actual pay varies by location, employer, and experience.
Job outlook: -9.6% projected growth, 2024–2034 — declining.
About 1,100 openings per year, on average, over the decade.
Typical entry-level education: No formal educational credential.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS and Employment Projections.
• 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.
What's the median pay for Carpet Installers?
The median pay for Carpet Installers is $50,340 per year, per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
What's the job outlook for Carpet Installers?
Employment for Carpet Installers is projected to change -9.6% from 2024 to 2034 - declining.
What education is typically required for Carpet Installers?
Typical entry-level education: No formal educational credential.
How many job openings are there each year for Carpet Installers?
About 1,100 openings per year, on average, over the decade.