Lay and install carpet from rolls or blocks on floors. Install padding and trim flooring materials.
Carpet Installers
SOC: 47-2041 O*NET: 47-2041.00
Median Salary
$49,850
per year
Job Growth
📉 -9.6%
Slower (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
1.1
projected jobs/year
Education Level
High school diploma or equivalent
Job Zone 2
Lay and install carpet from rolls or blocks on floors. Install padding and trim flooring materials.
What does a Carpet Installers do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$32,830
10th percentile
Early Career
$39,140
25th percentile
Median
$49,850
50th percentile
Experienced
$65,530
75th percentile
Top Earners
$83,200
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$32,830
25th
$39,140
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$49,850
Mean: $55,860
75th
$65,530
90th
$83,200
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $50,370 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $39,140 and $65,530
- •Salary spread is 52.9% around the median, showing high variation
- •Total national employment: 14,980 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Low Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:20,300
Top Industries
Construction61.1%
Specialty Trade Contractors57.1%
Building Finishing Contractors57%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:-9.6%
Annual Openings:1,100
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)20,300
Current
2034 (Projected)18,300
-9.6%
-1,900
Employment Change
-9.6%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: Decline
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Carpet Installers professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 47 locations
California
2,600 jobs$54,8401.48x
Texas
1,010 jobs$47,1000.75x
Nevada
930 jobs$82,2706.28x
Illinois
710 jobs$43,2001.21x
New York
650 jobs$50,9100.70x
Pennsylvania
650 jobs$47,1601.12x
Washington
580 jobs$60,0701.67x
Oregon
580 jobs$49,8103.01x
New Jersey
450 jobs$107,8501.09x
Florida
450 jobs$49,0800.47x
Michigan
450 jobs$48,2201.04x
Wisconsin
420 jobs$51,3301.47x
Georgia
360 jobs$37,1300.75x
Utah
350 jobs$43,2702.13x
Arizona
320 jobs$54,6201.04x
Understanding the Data
Location Quotient (LQ):
- • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
- • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
- • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average
Data Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024
Key Growth Factors
- •Employment decline projected
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Monitoring
100%
#2
Customer and Personal Service
100%
#3
Problem Sensitivity
100%
#4
Trunk Strength
92%
#5
Coordination
88%
#6
Mathematics
88%
#7
Extent Flexibility
82%
#8
Quality Control Analysis
76%
#9
Administration and Management
76%
#10
Static Strength
74%
Skills Overview
Monitoring
advanced5.0
100%
Customer and Personal Service
advanced5.0
100%
Problem Sensitivity
advanced5.0
100%
Trunk Strength
advanced4.6
92%
Coordination
intermediate4.4
88%
Mathematics
intermediate4.4
88%
Extent Flexibility
intermediate4.1
82%
Quality Control Analysis
intermediate3.8
76%
Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.
Filter:
Sort by:
Monitoring
advancedImportance100%
skills
5.0/5.0
Customer and Personal Service
advancedImportance100%
knowledge
5.0/5.0
Problem Sensitivity
advancedImportance100%
abilities
5.0/5.0
Trunk Strength
advancedImportance92%
abilities
4.6/5.0
Coordination
intermediateImportance88%
skills
4.4/5.0
Mathematics
intermediateImportance88%
knowledge
4.4/5.0
Extent Flexibility
intermediateImportance82%
abilities
4.1/5.0
Quality Control Analysis
intermediateImportance76%
skills
3.8/5.0
Administration and Management
intermediateImportance76%
knowledge
3.8/5.0
Static Strength
intermediateImportance74%
abilities
3.7/5.0
Near Vision
intermediateImportance66%
abilities
3.3/5.0
English Language
intermediateImportance64%
knowledge
3.2/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Helpers--Brickmasons, Blockmasons, Stonemasons, and Tile and Marble Setters57%
4 shared skills
Insulation Workers, Mechanical57%
4 shared skills
Brickmasons and Blockmasons56%
5 shared skills
Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers50%
5 shared skills
Fence Erectors50%
4 shared skills
Sheet Metal Workers50%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Monitoring
- ✓Coordination
- ✓Customer and Personal Service
- ✓Mathematics
Learn on the Job:
- →Mathematics
- →English Language
- →Building and Construction
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Monitoring
- ✓Coordination
- ✓Customer and Personal Service
- ✓Mathematics
- ✓Problem Sensitivity
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Customer and Personal Service
- ★Mathematics
- ★Problem Sensitivity
- ★Trunk Strength
- ★Extent Flexibility
Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
- •Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
- •Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
- •Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for Carpet Installers
Technology Intensity
High
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires advanced digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Proficiency with specialized softwareTechnical documentationData analysis toolsSystem integration
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
Autodesk AutoCAD
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Office software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Excel
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Word
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Autodesk AutoCAD
Microsoft Office software
Microsoft Excel
Microsoft Word
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
🏗️
Location
MIXED
💪
Physical Demand
HIGH
👥
Team Orientation
SOME TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
FREQUENT
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in mixed environments?
- •Can you meet high physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy some team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
16
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
General Responsibilities (14)Planning & Development (1)Documentation & Record-Keeping (1)
1
Join edges of carpet and seam edges where necessary, by sewing or by using tape with glue and heated carpet iron.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities100% perform100%
2
Cut and trim carpet to fit along wall edges, openings, and projections, finishing the edges with a wall trimmer.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities97% perform98%
3
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.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities94% perform96%
4
Roll out, measure, mark, and cut carpeting to size with a carpet knife, following floor sketches and allowing extra carpet for final fitting.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities91% perform94%
5
Plan the layout of the carpet, allowing for expected traffic patterns and placing seams for best appearance and longest wear.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development88% perform92%
6
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.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities85% perform90%
7
Take measurements and study floor sketches to calculate the area to be carpeted and the amount of material needed.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities82% perform88%
8
Cut carpet padding to size and install padding, following prescribed method.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities79% perform86%
9
Install carpet on some floors using adhesive, following prescribed method.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities76% perform84%
10
Nail tack strips around area to be carpeted or use old strips to attach edges of new carpet.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on general responsibilities activities
- •44% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
- •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from Carpet Installers
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
Carpet Installers professionals typically have a RCA Holland code and highly value relationships
RRealistic
CConventional
AArtistic
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Carpet Installers
Attention to Detail
CriticalAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.65
Dependability
CriticalDependability
Importance Level4.50
Integrity
Very ImportantIntegrity
Importance Level4.14
Cooperation
Very ImportantCooperation
Importance Level4.13
Independence
ImportantIndependence
Importance Level3.99
Self-Control
ImportantSelf-Control
Importance Level3.93
Complete Work Styles Profile
Attention to Detail
4.7
Dependability
4.5
Integrity
4.1
Cooperation
4.1
Independence
4.0
Self-Control
3.9
Leadership
3.9
Initiative
3.8
Analytical Thinking
3.8
Stress Tolerance
3.7
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
High school diploma or equivalent
Typical duration: High school diploma or GED
Preparation Level
Job Zone 2
Some Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:High school diploma or equivalent
These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work.
Training:
Training of a few months to a year
💼 Experience Requirement
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience
- • Vocational school programs (6 months to 2 years)
- • Industry certifications helpful
2
Job Zone Two: Some Preparation Needed
These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work.
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experienceVocational school programs (6 months to 2 years)Industry certifications helpful
Ready to Start Your Journey?
Explore educational programs that can help you become a Carpet Installers.
Browse Training Programs →Trade Colleges That Train for Carpet Installers
Top trade colleges by completions in fields that prepare students for this career.
Ivy Tech Community College
Indianapolis, IN
1.6k program completions/year
Apex Technical School
Long Island City, NY
788 program completions/year
American River College
Sacramento, CA
774 program completions/year
J F Ingram State Technical College
Deatsville, AL
645 program completions/year
Texas State Technical College
Waco, TX
631 program completions/year
Owensboro Community and Technical College
Owensboro, KY
612 program completions/year
Lake Land College
Mattoon, IL
596 program completions/year
Lincoln Technical Institute-Union
Union, NJ
573 program completions/year
Bluegrass Community and Technical College
Lexington, KY
559 program completions/year
Elizabethtown Community and Technical College
Elizabethtown, KY
556 program completions/year
City Colleges of Chicago-Richard J Daley College
Chicago, IL
535 program completions/year
Southcentral Kentucky Community and Technical College
Bowling Green, KY
494 program completions/year