Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, aged to 2026 using compounded market movement. State selections show BLS state-level figures where published. Actual pay varies with experience, industry, and organization size.
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.
Top skills:Active ListeningTime ManagementSpeakingMathematicsCritical ThinkingCoordination
Includes information from O*NET OnLine by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (CC BY 4.0).
Tile and Stone Setters pay by experience level
Entry level$38,500
Typical starting pay (about the 10th percentile)
Early career$47,000
A few years in (about the 25th percentile)
Experienced$57,500
Mid-career median pay
Senior$72,500
Seasoned professionals (about the 75th percentile)
Top earners$89,000
Highest earners (about the 90th percentile)
Experience tiers are derived from the BLS wage percentile distribution for this occupation, aged to 2026. Actual pay varies by employer, location, and specialization.
Job outlook
+10.1%
projected change in jobs, 2024–2034
4,200
projected openings per year
Growing faster than average
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program (2024–2034). Openings include growth and replacement needs.
Tile and Stone Setters salary by industry
Specialty Trade Contractors
26,710 workers
$62,500
Building Finishing Contractors
24,190 workers
$63,000
Nonmetallic Mineral Product Manufacturing
4,470 workers
$52,000
Construction of Buildings
2,170 workers
$65,000
Residential Building Construction
1,810 workers
$65,000
Foundation, Structure, and Building Exterior Contractors
1,600 workers
$58,500
Furniture, Home Furnishings, Electronics, and Appliance Retailers
860 workers
$61,000
Furniture and Home Furnishings Retailers
860 workers
$61,000
Other Specialty Trade Contractors
810 workers
$57,500
Building Material and Garden Equipment and Supplies Dealers
480 workers
$58,000
National sector-level figures, BLS OEWS May 2025, aged to 2026.
How this role compares
Tile and Stone Setters pays 5% below the average across 63 roles in the Construction and Extraction job family (family average $65,000).
Similar-paying roles in Construction and Extraction
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