Tile and Stone Setters
Apply hard tile, stone, and comparable materials to walls, floors, ceilings, countertops, and roof decks.
Also called: Acoustical Carpenter, Acoustical Installer, Acoustical Material Worker, Bathroom Fitter, Ceramic Tile Installer, Ceramic Tile Mechanic
Median pay
$55,690
per year, U.S.
Pay range (10th–90th)
$37,140 – $86,110
People employed
35,850
Holland code
RCA
Realistic · Conventional · Artistic
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
Is this career right for you?
These are the things that stand out in this job compared with other U.S. jobs (O*NET 31.0 work context). Answer honestly.
- 1.Are you OK being on your feet and moving most of the day?
- 2.Are you comfortable following clear instructions?
- 3.Are you happy working mostly on your own, with little contact with others?
- 4.Do you prefer doing your own work rather than directing others?
- 5.Would you rather not deal with customers or the public?
The hard parts
- Long hours on your feet
- Tight deadlines are common
Tile and Stone Setters pay by state
Annual median pay by state (47 states with published data). Source: BLS OEWS May 2025.
What tile and stone setters do
- 01Align and straighten tile using levels, squares, and straightedges.
- 02Finish and dress the joints and wipe excess grout from between tiles, using damp sponge.
- 03Cut and shape tile to fit around obstacles and into odd spaces and corners, using hand and power cutting tools.
- 04Determine and implement the best layout to achieve a desired pattern.
- 05Mix, apply, and spread plaster, concrete, mortar, cement, mastic, glue or other adhesives to form a bed for the tiles, using brush, trowel and screed.
- 06Study blueprints and examine surface to be covered to determine amount of material needed.
Skills that matter most
- Active Listening
- Mathematics
- Critical Thinking
- Speaking
- Reading Comprehension
- Monitoring
Knowledge
- Building and Construction
- Mathematics
- Customer and Personal Service
- Design
- Mechanical
Work styles that stand out
- Dependability
- Attention to Detail
Education and first steps
Share of workers by required education, as reported to O*NET.
How people get started
- Usually needs a high school diploma (O*NET Job Zone 2).
- Related work experience: over 1 year, up to and including 2 years.
- On-the-job training: over 1 year, up to and including 2 years.
Most common answers from O*NET 31.0 Education, Training and Experience.
Interest fit (Holland code)
O*NET occupational interest scores, scale 1–7. Take the Free Career Test to compare with your own.
Career changes
Change from tile and stone setters
- Helpers--Brickmasons, Blockmasons, Stonemasons, and Tile and Marble Setters85% · −15%
- Stone Cutters and Carvers, Manufacturing81% · group pay
- Furniture Finishers76% · −20%
- Layout Workers, Metal and Plastic75% · +15%
- Upholsterers74% · −17%
Change into tile and stone setters
Jobs whose skills carry over best (skill match, their median pay).
- Helpers--Brickmasons, Blockmasons, Stonemasons, and Tile and Marble Setters85% · $47,550
- Stone Cutters and Carvers, Manufacturing85% · $46,170
- Furniture Finishers82% · $44,540
- Helpers--Roofers80% · $44,160
- Upholsterers78% · $46,340
Majors that lead here
- Mason/Masonry
- Carpet, Floor, and Tile Worker
From the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk.