Tile and stone setters
Apply hard tile, stone, and comparable materials to walls, floors, ceilings, countertops, and roof decks.
Tile and stone setters apply hard tile, stone, and comparable materials to walls, floors, ceilings, countertops, and roof decks. The role reports a median annual salary of $52,240 in the US and is projected to grow 10% over the next decade (faster than average). Entry typically requires a No formal educational credential, and shows low AI exposure (0.40 on a 0-1 scale) — the role's core work resists automation. The most in-demand skills for the role include Active Listening, Critical Thinking, Mathematics, Coordination, Speaking.
Pay in the UK
UK: median £32,861 a year for Floorers and wall tilers (ONS ASHE 2025, full-time)
UK jobs are grouped differently; this is the closest UK occupation group (ONS SOC 2020 5322). ONS rates this estimate acceptable: it rests on a small sample, so treat it as a rough guide. 2025 provisional figures; ONS revises them a year later. Source: ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (Open Government Licence)
Pay in India (occupation group)
Average monthly earnings of salaried employees in the occupation group “Craft and related trades workers” in India, from the Government of India's Periodic Labour Force Survey (January–December 2025). It covers everyone in this group, not only Tile and stone setters, and it is not US pay converted to rupees.
Source: MoSPI (Government of India), Periodic Labour Force Survey Annual Report 2025, Table 51 — average wage/salary earnings of regular wage/salaried employees, NCO-2015 division 7. Official India data gives one average per occupation group: there are no official India figures for single careers, experience levels or cities. Read the report
Top skills
Knowledge you'll build
- Building and Construction
- Mathematics
- Customer and Personal Service
- Design
- Administration and Management
- Mechanical
- English Language
- Education and Training
What you'd actually do
- 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.
- Study blueprints and examine surface to be covered to determine amount of material needed.
Tools & technology you'd use
Frequently asked questions
What does Tile and stone setters do?
Apply hard tile, stone, and comparable materials to walls, floors, ceilings, countertops, and roof decks.
How much does Tile and stone setters earn?
The median annual salary for Tile and stone setters in the US is $52,240.
What is the job outlook for Tile and stone setters?
The role is projected to grow 10% over the next decade (faster than average). Current US employment is approximately 52,600 workers.
How do I become tile and stone setters?
The typical entry education is a No formal educational credential. Building a foundation in the top skills below will strengthen your application.
What skills does Tile and stone setters need?
The most in-demand skills for this role include Active Listening, Critical Thinking, Mathematics, Coordination, Speaking, Time Management. These are the skills O*NET identifies as most important for competent performance.
Will AI replace Tile and stone setters?
Our AI-durability model gives Tile and stone setters a score of 0.40 on a 0-1 scale (higher = more exposure). That places it at low AI exposure — the role's core work resists current-generation automation. It's a comparatively AI-durable choice within its field.
How hard is it to enter this field?
Tile and stone setters has low barrier to entry — generally accessible — you can enter with basic credentials and on-the-job learning.