Tile and Stone Setters: Salary, Job Outlook & How to Become One (2026 Parent Guide)

Tile and Stone Setters fall under the Construction and Extraction category in the U.S. occupational classification. Tile and Stone Setters earn a median salary of $52,240 per year, ranking in the top 58% of all U.S. occupations. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects +10.1% job growth through 2034, projected to grow faster than the US average. Entry into this field typically requires an apprenticeship, technical certification, or postsecondary training, with specific licensing or certification depending on the state and employer. For parents whose teenager is exploring this path, the most actionable step is mapping the education requirements to specific colleges and majors before junior year — not waiting until application season.

What do tile and stone setters earn?

The median annual wage for tile and stone setters is $52,240. That puts tile and stone setters at #471 on the BLS ranked list of all U.S. occupations by median pay. This salary is around or below the U.S. median for individual workers, so career growth often depends on advancement into supervisory roles, specialization, or additional credentials. Actual pay varies meaningfully by state, employer type, and years of experience — entry-level salaries are typically 30–40% below the median, while top-decile earners often exceed it by 50% or more.

Is tile and stone setters a growing career?

The 10-year outlook for tile and stone setters is +10.1%, projected to grow faster than the US average. Employment is projected to move from approximately 52K positions in 2024 to 58K in 2034, a net change of 6K. Faster-than-average growth means hiring is consistently outpacing the labor market overall. New entrants generally find their first roles faster than peers in stable fields.

What do tile and stone setters do every day?

According to O*NET task surveys of working tile and stone setters, these are the core responsibilities most professionals perform. This is what your teen would actually be doing in this role.

1. 1.Align and straighten tile using levels, squares, and straightedges.
2. 2.Cut and shape tile to fit around obstacles and into odd spaces and corners, using hand and power cutting tools.
3. 3.Apply mortar to tile back, position the tile, and press or tap with trowel handle to affix tile to base.
4. 4.Finish and dress the joints and wipe excess grout from between tiles, using damp sponge.
5. 5.Determine and implement the best layout to achieve a desired pattern.
6. 6.Lay and set mosaic tiles to create decorative wall, mural, and floor designs.
7. 7.Mix and apply mortar or cement to edges and ends of drain tiles to seal halves and joints.
8. 8.Level concrete and allow to dry.

Top skills for tile and stone setters

O*NET ranks these as the most important skills for this occupation, on a 1–5 importance scale derived from worker surveys.

What education does my child need to become tile and stone setter?

Tile and Stone Setters typically enter the field through a formal apprenticeship, technical certification, or vocational training program — a strong fit for teens who prefer hands-on learning over traditional college. For parents helping a teen prepare, the highest-leverage step before junior year is identifying colleges and programs that feed reliably into this occupation — Solyo's college search lets parents filter by major and admissions data side by side.

Related careers your child might also consider

• Elevator and Escalator Installers and Repairers
  $106,580 median
• First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers
  $78,690 median
• Roof Bolters, Mining
  $76,640 median
• Boilermakers
  $73,340 median
• Construction and Building Inspectors
  $72,120 median
• Pile Driver Operators
  $70,510 median

Common questions parents ask about tile and stone setters