Wall and Floor Tiler
SOC 47-2044.00 · ESCO 7122 · OSCA 362431
Role snapshot
Overview
Measures and lays ceramic, porcelain, and stone tiles on walls and floors, preparing surfaces, cutting tiles to fit around fixtures, and grouting joints for a finished result. This role requires precision, attention to detail, and physical stamina to transform spaces with durable and aesthetically pleasing tile work.
Transforms and enhances the aesthetics and functionality of residential and commercial spaces, providing durable and visually appealing surfaces for walls and floors.
On the job
- Prepare surfaces by cleaning, leveling, and applying waterproofing membranes or backer boards.
- Measure and mark surfaces to determine layout, ensuring proper alignment and spacing of tiles.
- Cut tiles to fit around obstacles, corners, and edges using hand and power tools like wet saws and tile cutters.
- Apply adhesive (thin-set mortar) to surfaces and tiles, then carefully set tiles into place.
- Grout joints between tiles, clean excess grout, and apply sealants for a finished, water-resistant surface.
Tools & technology
Average salary
Job outlook
StableDemand is steady. This is an established role with consistent hiring across sectors.
Education & training
Vocational training, apprenticeship, or trade school certificate in tiling or construction.
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 could assist with precise layout planning and material calculation, but physical application remains manual.
End-to-end automation
low
Can AI complete the work without substantial human involvement?
Physical installation in varied, unmapped environments, including surface preparation and intricate cutting, is highly resistant to full automation.
Adoption pressure
low
How likely are employers to introduce AI into this work?
The high variability of job sites and the need for human dexterity make automation economically unviable for most tiling tasks.
Human dependence
strong
How much does success depend on human judgement, relationships and accountability?
Success relies heavily on human precision, aesthetic judgment, problem-solving for imperfect surfaces, and client communication.
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 evolve by specializing in new materials, complex designs, or taking on more project management and design consultation.
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.
- Optimizing tile layout patterns to minimize waste
- Calculating material quantities needed for a project
- Generating detailed cutting plans for complex areas
- Pre-processing images of surfaces to identify imperfections
Where people remain essential
These parts continue to depend heavily on human judgement, relationships and accountability.
- Preparing varied surfaces, including leveling and waterproofing
- Precisely cutting tiles to fit around custom fixtures and obstacles
- Applying adhesive and setting tiles with required manual dexterity
- Grouting joints and ensuring a clean, aesthetically pleasing finish
- Problem-solving on-site for unexpected structural issues or client changes
- Interacting directly with clients for design choices and satisfaction
How the role may evolve
From manual layout calculation to executing AI-optimized designs.
Tilers will spend less time on initial planning and more time executing complex, AI-optimized designs, focusing on the quality of physical application and adaptive problem-solving on site.
Strengthen your future fit
- Proficiency with digital measurement and layout planning tools
- Specialization in advanced tiling materials and techniques
- Strong client communication and design consultation skills
- Advanced problem-solving for unexpected site challenges
- Mastery of intricate cutting and installation for bespoke projects
- Assessment horizon
- 3–7 years
- Confidence
- Medium
- 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
Wall and Floor Tiler
Skilled Trades
ADJACENT MOVES
STARTING POINTS
Who thrives here
Interest profile
realistic · RCA
People who enjoy hands-on work, precise execution, and creating tangible results with an eye for design and detail tend to thrive in this role.
Personality characteristics
Conscientious
Highly organized, disciplined, and focused on delivering high-quality, precise tile work.
Practical
Enjoys hands-on tasks and finding practical solutions to installation challenges.
Detail-Oriented
Pays close attention to patterns, cuts, and finishes to achieve an aesthetically pleasing result.
Calm under pressure
Maintains composure when dealing with unexpected site conditions or tight deadlines.
Open to methods
Willing to learn and adapt to new tools, materials, and installation techniques.
Best for
- Individuals who enjoy working with their hands and seeing immediate, tangible results.
- People who thrive on precision, problem-solving, and have a keen eye for detail and aesthetics.
- Those who prefer a dynamic work environment over a traditional office setting.
Watch out for
- The role can be physically demanding, requiring bending, lifting, and working in various postures.
- Work often involves travel to different job sites and can have occasional weekend work to meet project deadlines.
A week in the life
A representative working week for a Wall and Floor Tiler — where the deep work, meetings, and admin actually land.
Real people. Real results.
Thousands of people
can't be wrong.
Frequently asked questions about Wall and Floor Tiler roles
What does a Wall and Floor Tiler do?
A Wall and Floor Tiler measures and lays ceramic, porcelain, and stone tiles on walls and floors, preparing surfaces, cutting tiles to fit around fixtures, and grouting joints for a finished result. This role requires precision, attention to detail, and physical stamina to transform spaces with durable and aesthetically pleasing tile work. Transforms and enhances the aesthetics and functionality of residential and commercial spaces, providing durable and visually appealing surfaces for walls and floors.
How much does a Wall and Floor Tiler earn?
A Wall and Floor Tiler earns a median of $55,000 per year in the US, typically ranging from $40,000 to $75,000.
What qualifications do you need to become a Wall and Floor Tiler?
To become a Wall and Floor Tiler, vocational training, apprenticeship, or trade school certificate in tiling or construction. Some states or localities may require licensing or certification for specific projects or contractor roles.
What personality suits a Wall and Floor Tiler?
Wall and Floor Tiler roles tend to suit people who are highly conscientious — precise, organised and strong on follow-through (Conscientiousness 80/100) 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, Detail-Oriented and Calm under pressure. Highly organized, disciplined, and focused on delivering high-quality, precise tile work. On interests, Wall and Floor Tiler maps to a RCA Holland Code profile — people who enjoy hands-on work, precise execution, and creating tangible results with an eye for design and detail tend to thrive in this role.
Who does a Wall and Floor Tiler role suit?
A Wall and Floor Tiler role is usually a strong fit for these reasons. Strong Realistic affinity: the role is highly hands-on, requiring physical dexterity and practical problem-solving. High Conscientiousness is rewarded, as precision, planning, and attention to detail are crucial for quality tile work. The job involves creating tangible, visible results, which can be highly motivating for those who enjoy seeing their craft come to life.
What are the downsides of being a Wall and Floor Tiler?
Wall and Floor Tiler roles come with trade-offs worth weighing up. The role can be physically demanding, requiring bending, lifting, and working in various postures. Work often involves travel to different job sites and can have occasional weekend work to meet project deadlines.
What is the work environment like for a Wall and Floor Tiler?
Work as a Wall and Floor Tiler 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 62% of the week is focused deep work.
What skills do you need to be a Wall and Floor Tiler?
Core skills for a Wall and Floor Tiler include Surface preparation, Tile cutting techniques, Adhesive application, Grouting and sealing and Measurement and layout.
How do you become a Wall and Floor Tiler?
Common entry routes into Wall and Floor Tiler roles include Tiling Apprentice and Construction Laborer.
What career progression is there for a Wall and Floor Tiler?
From a Wall and Floor Tiler role, common next steps include Lead Tiler and Tiling Contractor/Business Owner; lateral moves include Flooring Installer.
What is the job outlook for Wall and Floor Tiler roles?
The outlook for Wall and Floor Tiler roles is currently rated stable. Demand is steady. This is an established role with consistent hiring across sectors.
Will AI replace Wall and Floor Tiler roles?
Traitstack rates automation risk for Wall and Floor Tiler roles at 21 out of 100, which is low. AI will assist with layout planning and material optimization, while the intricate, physical installation and client interaction remain human-centric. AI is most likely to take on optimizing tile layout patterns to minimize waste, calculating material quantities needed for a project and generating detailed cutting plans for complex areas. Preparing varied surfaces, including leveling and waterproofing, precisely cutting tiles to fit around custom fixtures and obstacles and applying adhesive and setting tiles with required manual dexterity stay with people. From manual layout calculation to executing AI-optimized designs. 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.