Tile and Stone Setter
SOC 47-2044.00 · ESCO 7122 · OSCA 371211
Role snapshot
Overview
Applies ceramic, porcelain, and natural stone tiles to floors, walls, and countertops, preparing surfaces, mixing adhesives, and cutting pieces for a precise, attractive finish. This role requires meticulous attention to detail, physical stamina, and a strong understanding of materials and installation techniques to ensure durable and aesthetically pleasing results.
Transforms spaces by installing durable and visually appealing tile and stone surfaces, enhancing the value, functionality, and aesthetics of residential and commercial properties.
On the job
- Prepare surfaces by cleaning, leveling, and applying waterproof membranes or backer boards
- Measure and cut tiles and stone using various tools, ensuring precise fit around obstacles and edges
- Mix and apply mortar, grout, and adhesives according to specifications and material requirements
- Lay tiles and stone in desired patterns, ensuring proper alignment, spacing, and levelness
- Clean and finish installed surfaces, removing excess grout and ensuring a polished appearance
Tools & technology
Average salary
Job outlook
StableDemand is steady. This is an established role with consistent hiring across sectors.
Education & training
High school diploma or equivalent, often followed by an apprenticeship or vocational training in tile setting or masonry.
AI impact outlook
Note — this is our current view. AI is moving fast, so we revisit these ratings.
Show how this was assessed Hide the detail
Note — this is our current view. AI is moving fast, so we revisit these ratings.
Show how this was assessed Hide the detailWhy this role received this rating
Core task exposure
low
How much of the role’s important work could AI perform?
AI offers minimal exposure to the physical preparation, precise cutting, manual application of materials, and artistic laying of tiles and stone.
End-to-end automation
low
Can AI complete the work without substantial human involvement?
The varied and custom nature of installation sites, coupled with the need for manual dexterity and aesthetic judgment, prevents end-to-end AI automation.
Adoption pressure
low
How likely are employers to introduce AI into this work?
The high capital cost and limited flexibility of robotic systems for custom tiling, along with the reliance on human craftsmanship, keeps AI adoption pressure low.
Human dependence
strong
How much does success depend on human judgement, relationships and accountability?
Success requires meticulous attention to detail, aesthetic judgment, physical skill in material manipulation, and problem-solving for unique site challenges.
Protective — a higher rating lowers the overall score.
Role adaptability
moderate
How easily can the role evolve as AI takes on more tasks?
The role can adapt to new materials, installation techniques, and design trends, integrating advanced tools and safety standards.
Shown for context — not part of the score.
What AI may take on
These are the parts of the role most likely to be automated or significantly accelerated.
- Optimize tile layout patterns to minimize material waste
- Generate 3D visualizations of tile designs for client approval
- Analyze surface irregularities for precise leveling recommendations
- Assist with material quantity calculations for complex projects
Where people remain essential
These parts continue to depend heavily on human judgement, relationships and accountability.
- Physically preparing surfaces, including cleaning, leveling, and waterproofing
- Precisely cutting and fitting tiles around complex obstacles and edges
- Mixing and applying mortar, grout, and adhesives by hand
- Laying tiles with proper alignment, spacing, and levelness for an aesthetic finish
- Performing detailed cleaning and finishing of installed surfaces
- Diagnosing and correcting issues with uneven surfaces or challenging layouts
How the role may evolve
Less time on manual layout. More focus on complex installations and finishing.
Tile setters will leverage digital tools for planning but will continue to specialize in the intricate, artistic, and problem-solving aspects of installation.
Strengthen your future fit
- Mastering advanced tile cutting and shaping techniques
- Developing expertise in new and specialized tile materials
- Enhancing problem-solving for complex architectural challenges
- Improving client communication and design consultation skills
- Proficiency in digital measurement and layout tools
- Assessment horizon
- 3–7 years
- Confidence
- High
- Last reviewed
- August 2026
- Methodology
- v1.0
This assessment reflects current AI capabilities and expected adoption patterns. Actual impacts will vary by industry, employer and the way each role is performed.
Career pathways
WHERE YOU COULD GO
CURRENT ROLE
Tile and Stone Setter
Skilled Trades
ADJACENT MOVES
STARTING POINTS
Who thrives here
Interest profile
realistic · RCA
People who enjoy practical, hands-on work with materials, appreciate precision and order, and have an eye for design and aesthetics tend to thrive in this role.
Personality characteristics
Conscientious
Highly organized and meticulous in following plans and ensuring a perfect finish.
Practical
Prefers hands-on tasks and physical work, enjoying the tangible results of their labor.
Calm under pressure
Maintains composure when facing unexpected challenges or tight deadlines on a job site.
Detail-oriented
Pays close attention to small details like grout lines, cuts, and patterns to achieve high-quality results.
Independent worker
Comfortable working alone or with minimal supervision to complete tasks efficiently.
Best for
- Individuals who enjoy working with their hands and seeing tangible results
- Those who appreciate precision, problem-solving, and contributing to the aesthetics of a space
Watch out for
- Requires significant physical stamina and may involve working in various environmental conditions
- Project-based work can lead to variable schedules and occasional weekend work
A week in the life
A representative working week for a Tile and Stone Setter — where the deep work, meetings, and admin actually land.
Real people. Real results.
Thousands of people
can't be wrong.
Frequently asked questions about Tile and Stone Setter roles
What does a Tile and Stone Setter do?
A Tile and Stone Setter applies ceramic, porcelain, and natural stone tiles to floors, walls, and countertops, preparing surfaces, mixing adhesives, and cutting pieces for a precise, attractive finish. This role requires meticulous attention to detail, physical stamina, and a strong understanding of materials and installation techniques to ensure durable and aesthetically pleasing results. Transforms spaces by installing durable and visually appealing tile and stone surfaces, enhancing the value, functionality, and aesthetics of residential and commercial properties.
How much does a Tile and Stone Setter earn?
A Tile and Stone Setter earns a median of $55,000 per year in the US, typically ranging from $35,000 to $75,000.
What qualifications do you need to become a Tile and Stone Setter?
To become a Tile and Stone Setter, high school diploma or equivalent, often followed by an apprenticeship or vocational training in tile setting or masonry.
What personality suits a Tile and Stone Setter?
Tile and Stone Setter roles tend to suit people who are highly conscientious — precise, organised and strong on follow-through (Conscientiousness 78/100) and steady under pressure — deadlines and setbacks do not rattle them easily (Emotional Stability 72/100). The traits that matter most in the role are Conscientious, Practical, Calm under pressure and Detail-oriented. Highly organized and meticulous in following plans and ensuring a perfect finish. On interests, Tile and Stone Setter maps to a RCA Holland Code profile — people who enjoy practical, hands-on work with materials, appreciate precision and order, and have an eye for design and aesthetics tend to thrive in this role.
Who does a Tile and Stone Setter role suit?
A Tile and Stone Setter role is usually a strong fit for these reasons. Strong Realistic (R) alignment: involves practical, hands-on work with tools and materials. High Conventional (C) affinity: rewards precision, order, and adherence to technical specifications. Includes an Artistic (A) component for pattern layout and aesthetic finishing.
What are the downsides of being a Tile and Stone Setter?
Tile and Stone Setter roles come with trade-offs worth weighing up. Requires significant physical stamina and may involve working in various environmental conditions. Project-based work can lead to variable schedules and occasional weekend work.
What is the work environment like for a Tile and Stone Setter?
Work as a Tile and Stone Setter is mostly mixed-based with onsite arrangements common, semi-structured — a mix of set processes and self-directed work, a moderate pace and medium exposure to clients or stakeholders. Around 65% of the week is focused deep work.
What skills do you need to be a Tile and Stone Setter?
Core skills for a Tile and Stone Setter include Surface preparation, Tile cutting and shaping, Mortar and grout application, Pattern layout and alignment and Blueprint reading.
How do you become a Tile and Stone Setter?
Common entry routes into Tile and Stone Setter roles include Construction Laborer, Apprentice Tile Setter and General Handyman.
What career progression is there for a Tile and Stone Setter?
From a Tile and Stone Setter role, common next steps include Lead Tile Setter and Construction Project Manager; lateral moves include Stone Fabricator and Flooring Installer.
What is the job outlook for Tile and Stone Setter roles?
The outlook for Tile and Stone Setter roles is currently rated stable. Demand is steady. This is an established role with consistent hiring across sectors.
Will AI replace Tile and Stone Setter roles?
Traitstack rates automation risk for Tile and Stone Setter roles at 15 out of 100, which is low. The physical precision and aesthetic judgment required for setting tiles remains a human domain, with AI offering minor support for layout optimization. AI is most likely to take on optimize tile layout patterns to minimize material waste, generate 3d visualizations of tile designs for client approval and analyze surface irregularities for precise leveling recommendations. Physically preparing surfaces, including cleaning, leveling, and waterproofing, precisely cutting and fitting tiles around complex obstacles and edges and mixing and applying mortar, grout, and adhesives by hand stay with people. Less time on manual layout. More focus on complex installations and finishing. That score measures how much of the work could change, not the likelihood the job disappears. It is Traitstack's current view, revisited as AI capability moves.