How much does a floor layer make?
Answer: A typical floor layer in the United States makes $56,460 a year (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
Line up 100 people; this is the one in the middle (median). about 24,000 people work in this job. About the same as the US-wide typical pay ($50,980).
If 100 people had this job
Lowest at bottom-left, highest at top-rightHover over a person to see their yearly pay
Floor layer pay in the United States (May 2025, median and spread)
| Lower earner (10th from bottom) | Typical person (median) | Higher earner (10th from top) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|---|
| $37,600 | $56,460 | $96,700 | about 24,000 |
| State | Typical person (median) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts | $79,280 | about 1,000 |
| Illinois | $69,880 | about 1,000 |
| New York | $61,360 | about 880 |
| California | $61,210 | about 4,000 |
| Pennsylvania | $60,050 | about 720 |
Why does pay differ?
In the U.S., experience, in-demand skills, and relevant certifications can help floor layers earn more. Pay also varies by employer and location, and hours worked or self-employment can affect income.
What if you lived in a different state?
Pay varies a lot by state in the USTop 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.
What does a floor layer do?
Apply blocks, strips, or sheets of shock-absorbing, sound-deadening, or decorative coverings to floors.
What's a typical day like?
They remove old flooring, clean and level the base, then measure and cut vinyl or linoleum to fit around edges and obstacles. They spread adhesive, line up the design, and press it smooth, often bending or kneeling for much of the day.
How to get this job
In the U.S., most floor layers start as helpers and learn on the job; no formal school credential is typically required. Some enter through a two- to four-year apprenticeship, and industry groups also offer flooring training and certification.
High school plus some training (preparation level 2 of 5)
Good for people who like building and doing and keeping things organized.
Did you know?
A floor layer may cover walls and cabinets too—not just floors—with decorative or sound-deadening material.
Similar jobs
Jobs using similar skills (O*NET)Earn more in the same field
Construction and Extraction jobs that pay a bit moreSources and data
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 (bls.gov); descriptions and related jobs from O*NET 31.0. Figures as of May 2025, full-time yearly pay (hourly × 2,080 hours). bls.gov/oes · O*NET OnLine
Pages used for the text
- www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2015/article/wage-differences.htm
- www.careeronestop.org/Videos/careeronestop-videos.aspx?videocode=47204200
- www.onetonline.org/link/details/47-2042.00
- cfiinstallers.org/
Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY