Apply hard tile, stone, and comparable materials to walls, floors, ceilings, countertops, and roof decks.
Tile and Stone Setters
SOC: 47-2044 O*NET: 47-2044.00
Median Salary
$52,240
per year
Job Growth
🚀 10.1%
Much Faster (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
4.2
projected jobs/year
Education Level
High school diploma or equivalent
Job Zone 2
Apply hard tile, stone, and comparable materials to walls, floors, ceilings, countertops, and roof decks.
What does a Tile and Stone Setters do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$36,140
10th percentile
Early Career
$44,540
25th percentile
Median
$52,240
50th percentile
Experienced
$64,980
75th percentile
Top Earners
$82,960
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$36,140
25th
$44,540
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$52,240
Mean: $57,590
75th
$64,980
90th
$82,960
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $46,820 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $44,540 and $64,980
- •Salary spread is 39.1% around the median, showing moderate variation
- •Total national employment: 38,740 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
High Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:52,600
Top Industries
Construction80.6%
Specialty Trade Contractors71.9%
Building Finishing Contractors66.2%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:+10.1%
Annual Openings:4,200
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)52,600
Current
2034 (Projected)58,000
+10.1%
+5,300
Employment Change
+10.1%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: Faster than average
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Tile and Stone Setters professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 47 locations
California
7,250 jobs$57,5101.60x
Florida
5,010 jobs$48,0802.03x
New York
3,140 jobs$63,2101.31x
Utah
1,950 jobs$48,7904.53x
Texas
1,780 jobs$43,5300.51x
Arizona
1,710 jobs$48,1602.13x
Nevada
1,560 jobs$58,2704.06x
Oregon
1,300 jobs$54,3802.63x
Washington
1,030 jobs$62,2101.16x
Michigan
1,010 jobs$53,4300.92x
Illinois
910 jobs$53,4300.60x
New Jersey
810 jobs$58,7600.76x
Ohio
730 jobs$49,4400.52x
North Carolina
620 jobs$44,2200.50x
Pennsylvania
600 jobs$59,0100.40x
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
- •Faster than average growth expected
- •High current market demand
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Active Listening
100%
#2
Coordination
90%
#3
Critical Thinking
80%
#4
Complex Problem Solving
70%
#5
Mathematics
60%
#6
Time Management
50%
#7
Speaking
40%
Skills Overview
Active Listening
advanced5.0
100%
Coordination
advanced4.5
90%
Critical Thinking
intermediate4.0
80%
Complex Problem Solving
advanced3.5
70%
Mathematics
intermediate3.0
60%
Time Management
basic2.5
50%
Speaking
basic2.0
40%
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:
Active Listening
advancedImportance100%
skills
5.0/5.0
Coordination
advancedImportance90%
skills
4.5/5.0
Critical Thinking
intermediateImportance80%
abilities
4.0/5.0
Complex Problem Solving
advancedImportance70%
abilities
3.5/5.0
Mathematics
intermediateImportance60%
skills
3.0/5.0
Time Management
basicImportance50%
skills
2.5/5.0
Speaking
basicImportance40%
skills
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Fence Erectors63%
5 shared skills
Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers60%
5 shared skills
Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerks60%
5 shared skills
Sheet Metal Workers60%
5 shared skills
Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers57%
4 shared skills
Helpers--Carpenters56%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Coordination
Learn on the Job:
- →Mathematics
- →Time Management
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Coordination
- ✓Critical Thinking
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Active Listening
- ★Critical Thinking
- ★Complex Problem Solving
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 Tile and Stone Setters
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
Salesforce software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Outlook
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Office software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft PowerPoint
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Excel
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Word
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Salesforce software
Microsoft Outlook
Microsoft Office software
Microsoft PowerPoint
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
21
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
General Responsibilities (17)Documentation & Record-Keeping (2)Planning & Development (2)
1
Align and straighten tile using levels, squares, and straightedges.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities100% perform100%
2
Determine and implement the best layout to achieve a desired pattern.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities97% perform98%
3
Cut and shape tile to fit around obstacles and into odd spaces and corners, using hand and power cutting tools.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities94% perform96%
4
Finish and dress the joints and wipe excess grout from between tiles, using damp sponge.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities91% perform94%
5
Apply mortar to tile back, position the tile, and press or tap with trowel handle to affix tile to base.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities88% perform92%
6
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.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities85% perform90%
7
Prepare cost and labor estimates, based on calculations of time and materials needed for project.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping82% perform88%
8
Measure and mark surfaces to be tiled, following blueprints.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities79% perform86%
9
Level concrete and allow to dry.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities76% perform84%
10
Build underbeds and install anchor bolts, wires, and brackets.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on general responsibilities activities
- •33% 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 Tile and Stone Setters
💡 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?
Tile and Stone Setters professionals typically have a RCA Holland code and highly value independence
RRealistic
CConventional
AArtistic
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Tile and Stone Setters
Attention to Detail
Very ImportantAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.49
Dependability
Very ImportantDependability
Importance Level4.19
Cooperation
Very ImportantCooperation
Importance Level4.15
Integrity
Very ImportantIntegrity
Importance Level4.05
Achievement/Effort
Very ImportantAchievement/Effort
Importance Level4.02
Self-Control
ImportantSelf-Control
Importance Level3.97
Complete Work Styles Profile
Attention to Detail
4.5
Dependability
4.2
Cooperation
4.2
Integrity
4.0
Achievement/Effort
4.0
Self-Control
4.0
Initiative
3.9
Leadership
3.9
Adaptability/Flexibility
3.9
Analytical Thinking
3.9
💡 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
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