Tile and Stone Setters
SOC code 47-2044 · O*NET-SOC 47-2044.00 · Little to some preparation needed · Skilled trades
Bright Outlook — O*NET expects rapid growth for this occupation
Tile and Stone Setters pay
U.S. national figures, May 2025 BLS survey · How we got this number
Median pay
$55,690
a year
Hourly
$26.77
per hour
The solid band is the middle 50% of workers; the bar spans the 10th to 90th percentile.
Average pay
$59,250
$28.49 per hour
Middle 50%
$45,200 – $70,220
25th to 75th percentile
Full spread
$37,140 – $86,110
10th to 90th percentile
People employed
35,850
nationwide
National U.S. figure, May 2025. Local pay can be higher or lower.
- 10th percentile
- $37,140
- $17.86/hr
- 25th percentile
- $45,200
- $21.73/hr
- Median percentile
- $55,690
- $26.77/hr
- 75th percentile
- $70,220
- $33.76/hr
- 90th percentile
- $86,110
- $41.40/hr
What do tile and stone setters do?
Apply hard tile, stone, and comparable materials to walls, floors, ceilings, countertops, and roof decks.
The tasks that matter most day to day
- 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.
- Measure and mark surfaces to be tiled, following blueprints.
- Lay and set mosaic tiles to create decorative wall, mural, and floor designs.
How to qualify for this work
Most people in this role hold high school diploma or the equivalent (such as a ged) — 48% of workers surveyed reported it as their level of education.
Preparation level: zone 2 — Little to some preparation needed
- Education
- Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
- Experience
- Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
- Training
- Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training.
Education reported by people doing this job
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)48%
- Less than a High School Diploma37%
- Some College Courses11%
- Post-Secondary Certificate4%
Common questions
How much does a tile and stone setters earn?
The national median is $55,690 a year. The full range runs from $37,140 at the 10th percentile to $86,110 at the 90th — entry pay sits closer to the lower figure, and experience, licensing and specialisation move you up the range.
Can you become a tile and stone setters without a degree?
Yes — this occupation sits in preparation zone 2, meaning the typical entry route is usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not. A four-year degree is not the standard requirement, though licensing or certification may still apply.
Skills and knowledge you need
Core skills
- Active Listening3.1/5
- Speaking3.0/5
- Mathematics3.0/5
- Critical Thinking3.0/5
- Reading Comprehension2.9/5
- Monitoring2.8/5
Knowledge areas
- Building and Construction4.0/5
- Mathematics3.4/5
- Customer and Personal Service3.0/5
- Design3.0/5
- Administration and Management2.6/5
- Mechanical2.6/5
- English Language2.5/5
Transferable strengths: Coordination, Complex Problem Solving, Time Management, Judgment and Decision Making.