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Tile and Stone Setters

Job Zone 2 - Some preparation needed

Apply hard tile, stone, and comparable materials to walls, floors, ceilings, countertops, and roof decks.

Pay & job outlook

Median pay: $55,690/yr (U.S. national, May 2025)

$37,140$86,110

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: +10.1% projected growth, 20242034 — much faster than average.

About 4,200 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.

Top skills
Active ListeningSpeakingCoordinationComplex Problem SolvingMathematicsCritical ThinkingTime ManagementReading ComprehensionJudgment and Decision MakingMonitoring
Top knowledge areas
Building and ConstructionMathematicsCustomer and Personal ServiceDesignAdministration and ManagementMechanicalEnglish LanguageEducation and Training
Core tasks

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.

Frequently asked questions

What's the median pay for Tile and Stone Setters?

The median pay for Tile and Stone Setters is $55,690 per year, per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

What's the job outlook for Tile and Stone Setters?

Employment for Tile and Stone Setters is projected to change +10.1% from 2024 to 2034 - much faster than average.

What education is typically required for Tile and Stone Setters?

Typical entry-level education: No formal educational credential.

How many job openings are there each year for Tile and Stone Setters?

About 4,200 openings per year, on average, over the decade.