Tile Setter
A tile setter, also known as a tile installer, is a skilled professional responsible for applying various types of tile in residential, commercial, and industrial settings. Common tile materials include ceramic, porcelain, glass, slate, stone, marble, and metal, utilized in projects such as bathroom floors, kitchen backsplashes, and hotel lobbies. Typically requiring a high school diploma, tile setters often embark on their careers through on-the-job training or apprenticeships, learning hands-on from experienced workers. Their duties involve preparing surfaces, cutting tiles, and applying adhesive before setting the tiles in place, followed by grouting and finishing.
The work environment for tile setters varies, as they may work solo or alongside a team, and their projects can range from indoor installations to outdoor areas like patios and pool decks. Successful tile setters should possess good mechanical and mathematical skills, strong communication abilities, and physical fitness to handle the demands of the job. For those considering a career as independent contractors, business management skills are also vital. The job outlook for tile setters is average, with an estimated median annual income of around $48,690.
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Subject Terms
Tile Setter
Snapshot
Career Cluster(s): Architecture & Construction
Interests: Design, Architecture, Patterns, Puzzles, Construction
Earnings (Yearly Median): $48,690 per year $23.41 per hour
Employment & Outlook: 3% (As fast as average)
Entry-Level Education High school diploma. No formal educational credential
Related Work Experience None
On-the-job Training All entry-level employees learn from an experienced tile setter. Some attend two- or four-year apprenticeships.
Overview
Sphere of Work. Tile setters, also called tile installers, apply tile in residential, commercial, and industrial settings. The most common types of tile are ceramic or porcelain, but glass, slate, stone, marble, and metal tiles are also popular. Tile setters work on new construction sites as well as renovations. They tile various surfaces, including bathroom floors and walls, kitchen backsplashes, hotel lobbies, and restaurant floors and walls.
Work Environment. Tile setters usually work alone or with a partner or assistant. For some projects, tile setters may be employed on a job site with other contractors. Tile may be installed indoors or outdoors, as tiled pool decks, patios, and walkways are becoming more common. Most tile setters work daytime hours from Monday to Friday, with occasional overtime.
Occupation Interest. The work performed by a tile setter attracts project-oriented people with good mechanical and mathematical skills and an aptitude for spatial thinking. Tiling also requires patience, good eyesight, pattern recognition, the ability to follow charts, and good eye-hand coordination. Although tile setters might work alone on many projects, they must have good communication skills. They must also be in good physical condition, with upper body strength to carry heavy boxes and equipment, and able to endure the physical exertion of the job. Successful tile setters who work as independent contractors must also have strong business skills to manage their businesses, maintain a schedule, and market their services.
A Day in the Life—Duties and Responsibilities. Tile setters typically work on one job at a time, seeing each project through to completion before beginning another. Most jobs require a minimum of a few days or weeks to account for necessary drying times between steps. Large jobs may take weeks to complete and require the help of several tile setters and assistants.
A tile setter is often responsible for transporting all the necessary materials and equipment to the job site. Before tiling, they take care of crucial preliminary work, such as double-checking the tile’s technical specifications to ensure it complies with the intended use and measuring the surface to safeguard enough tile and other supplies have been ordered. The tile setter begins by preparing the surface, ensuring that it is clean of debris and level. Next, they cut and attach the appropriate backing material for proper adhesion and, if necessary, to act as a vapor barrier. Once the surface is ready, the setter uses a level and a plumb bob to mark lines as guides and prearrange the tile on a flat surface, anticipating where to make cuts to achieve the design. Wooden battens are sometimes attached to prevent the tile from slipping.
The tile setter then spreads mastic or thin-set on the surface in a workable section and taps tile pieces into place with a rubber mallet. Pieces are custom-cut with an electric tile saw or trimmed with tile nippers as needed. Some tiling surfaces may pose unusual challenges and require many custom-cut pieces. Once the mastic has dried, the tile is grouted with a float, left to cure, and sealed or polished, if necessary.
As a tile setter gains proficiency and familiarity with various types of tile, they may be asked for special technical or creative advice. Independent contractors have additional business responsibilities to take care of when not tiling.
Work Environment
Immediate Physical Environment. Tile setters install tile in residential, commercial, and industrial settings, where temperature, humidity, safety factors, and other environmental conditions may require different surface preparations. Ear, skin, and eye protection, as well as proper ventilation, are necessary. Construction sites are somewhat messy and require work clothes and proper footwear. Setting tile can be especially hard on the back and knees.
Human Environment. A tile setter often reports to a supervisor and may work with others on larger jobs. Interaction with customers can vary from none to friendly conversations, requests for professional opinions, or discussions about project delays and completion. An experienced tile setter may supervise other employees. A tile setter may interact with other contractors, technicians, architects, and clients when working on new construction.
Technological Environment. Tile setters use many hand tools, including hammers, floats, saws, levels, trowels, and machine tools, such as power grinders, drills, and saws. Some tile setters may also use a computer and software for computer-aided design (CAD) and/or project management. Scaffolding and ladders are used when necessary.
Education, Training, and Advancement
High School/Secondary. A high school diploma is required for most jobs. A college preparatory program with some industrial arts courses or a vocational program emphasizing math, English, and computer technology can provide a good background. Design and art courses help develop creative skills.
Postsecondary. Traditionally, tile setters have learned their job skills through apprenticeships, which remains the most common way to learn tile-setting skills. For those tile setters interested in becoming independent contractors, business courses in an adult education setting may help set up the business.
Related Occupations
Bibliography
"Flooring Installers and Tile and Marble Setters." Occupational Outlook Handbook. Bureau of Labor Statistics, US Department of Labor, 17 Apr. 2024, www.bls.gov/ooh/construction-and-extraction/tile-and-marble-setters.htm. Accessed 27 Aug. 2024.
"Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2023 47-2044 Tile and Stone Setters." US Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, 3 Apr. 2024, www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes472044.htm. Accessed 27 Aug. 2024.