How much does a tile setter make?
Answer: A typical tile setter in the United States makes $55,690 a year (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
Line up 100 people; this is the one in the middle (median). about 36,000 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
Tile setter 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| $37,140 | $55,690 | $86,110 | about 36,000 |
| State | Typical person (median) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Washington | $77,920 | about 660 |
| Minnesota | $70,560 | about 610 |
| Pennsylvania | $70,230 | about 880 |
| Illinois | $67,160 | about 730 |
| New York | $61,260 | about 3,000 |
Why does pay differ?
In the United States, experience and skill, optional certification, employer, and location can all affect a tile setter’s pay. More complex designs and evening or weekend work may also make a difference.
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 tile setter do?
Apply hard tile, stone, and comparable materials to walls, floors, ceilings, countertops, and roof decks.
What's a typical day like?
They read a plan, measure the surface, spread mortar, then use a wet saw to cut and fit tiles in a straight pattern. After setting them, they fill the gaps with grout and wipe the surface clean.
How to get this job
In the U.S., no formal credential is usually needed; many start as helpers, while some complete a 2–4-year apprenticeship that may require a diploma or equivalent. One California program sets a minimum age of 18; certification is optional.
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?
Tile setters can create decorative mosaic designs on walls and floors—not just install plain floor tiles.
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/ooh/construction-and-extraction/tile-and-marble-setters.htm
- www.onetonline.org/link/summary/47-2044.00
- www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2015/article/wage-differences.htm
- www.dir.ca.gov/databases/das/results_aigdetail.asp?varOccId=9954
Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY