What Does A Tile and Marble Setter Do (including Their Typical Day at Work)

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Salary, Job Description, How To Become One, and Quiz

Tile and Marble Setters

Tile and Marble Setters apply hard tile, stone, and comparable materials to walls, floors, ceilings, countertops, and roof decks.

Salary
$48490
Becoming One
Easy
Education
No degree required
Job Satisfaction
Low
Job Growth

Personality


What they do

Tile and Marble Setters apply hard tile, stone, and comparable materials to walls, floors, ceilings, countertops, and roof decks.

  • Cut and shape tile to fit around obstacles and into odd spaces and corners, using hand and power cutting tools.
  • Lay and set mosaic tiles to create decorative walls, murals, and floor designs.
  • Align and straighten tile using levels, squares, and straightedges.
  • Prepare cost and labor estimates, based on calculations of time and materials needed for a project.

Typical day

On a daily basis, Tile and Marble Setters align and straighten tile using levels, squares, and straightedges. They finish and dress the joints and wipe excess grout from between tiles, using a damp sponge.

A typical day for a Tile and Marble Setter will also include:

  • Mix, apply, and spread plaster, concrete, mortar, cement, mastic, glue or other adhesives to form a bed for the tiles, using a brush, trowel, and screed.
  • Determine and implement the best layout to achieve the desired pattern.
  • Cut and shape tile to fit around obstacles and into odd spaces and corners, using hand and power cutting tools.
  • Prepare cost and labor estimates, based on calculations of time and materials needed for a project.
  • Mix and apply mortar or cement to edges and ends of drain tiles to seal halves and joints.

Other responsibilities

Besides their typical day, Tile and Marble Setters also level concrete and allow it to dry. They may also select and order tile and other items to be installed, such as bathroom accessories, walls, panels, and cabinets, according to specifications.

On a weekly to monthly basis, Tile and Marble Setters prepare surfaces for tiling by attaching lath or waterproof paper, or by applying a cement mortar coat to a metal screen. They might also cut, surface, polish, and install marble and granite or install pre-cast terrazzo, granite or marble units.

In addition, they measure and cut metal lath to size for walls and ceilings, using tin snips.

Although specific duties may vary, many of them apply a sealer to make grout stain- and water-resistant.

To some Tiles and Marble Setters, it is also their responsibility to apply mortar to the tile back, position the tile, and press or tap with a trowel handle to affix tile to base.

What is the job like

Job satisfaction

Low

Is this job meaningful

Low

52% said they were satisfied with their job and 43% said they found their job meaningful.


Self-employed

My name is Carl Anders and I am a self employed tile setter and interior waterproofing specialist. I have been doing it for the past 27 years. My Typical Day A typical day as a contractor will start first thing in the morning with an early start at 6am. Arriving on the work site and … Read More


In the past, I was a Tile laborer. Grueling! I would shower and prep lunch the night before, wake up at 4 AM to get to the office at 5 AM. I would be sent to a job, gather materials, and get there between 6-7 AM, you have to start early to beat the heat. … Read More


A tile installation company

I used to own a tile installation company and loved my job and the people I would meet. I would be doing one of two things any given day. Starting an install or meeting with potential customers and giving them estimates. Installs would include ripping up the old tile cleaning up the sub-floor and prepping … Read More


Pros

Suitable for people who like practical and hands-on work.

Suitable for people who want independence and like to work on their own and make decisions.

It is easy to get into this career. Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required to get started.

Demand for this career is growing very fast.

Cons

Not suitable for people who like to help and teach others.

Salary is below average.

How much do they make

Average salary

$48490 per year

Average hourly wage

$23 per hour

Entry-level Tile and Marble Setters with little to no experience can expect to make anywhere between $27,390 to $34,240 per year or $13 to $16 per hour.

Salary by experience Annual Hourly
Highest (Top 10%) $76,620 $37
Senior (Top 25%) $58,200 $28
Median $44,220 $21
Junior (Bottom 25%) $34,240 $16
No experience (Bottom 10%) $27,390 $13

This table shows the top 10 highest paying industries for Tile and Marble Setters based on their average annual salary.

Salary by industry Annual Hourly
Nonresidential Building Construction $75090 $36.10
Local Government $63720 $30.64
Foundation, Structure, and Building Exterior Contractors $63650 $30.60
Residential Building Construction $53000 $25.48
Other Specialty Trade Contractors $50840 $24.44
Building Material and Supplies Dealers $50140 $24.11
Furniture and Related Product Manufacturing $49050 $23.58
Building Finishing Contractors $48420 $23.28
Home Furnishings Stores $44170 $21.24
Employment Services $43620 $20.97

View more salary by industries here.

Where can they work

Where can Tile and Marble Setters work? Here is a table showing the top 10 largest employers of Tile and Marble Setters including the average salary in that industry.

Employers Total Employed Annual Salary Hourly Wages
Building Finishing Contractors 26060 $48420 $23.28
Nonmetallic Mineral Product Manufacturing 3790 $42320 $20.35
Residential Building Construction 3370 $53000 $25.48
Other Specialty Trade Contractors 1010 $50840 $24.44
Home Furnishings Stores 740 $44170 $21.24
Merchant Wholesalers, Durable Goods 540 $40790 $19.61
Plastics Product Manufacturing 190 $37980 $18.26
Nonresidential Building Construction 180 $75090 $36.10
Furniture and Related Product Manufacturing 160 $49050 $23.58
Local Government 60 $63720 $30.64

What is the work day like

Working hours

Less than 40 hours
13%

40 hours
65%

More than 40 hours
22%

Working schedule

52%

43%

5%

Email

How often do you use email in this job?

Once a week
1%

Every day
0%

Telephone

How often do you have telephone conversations in this job?

Once a week
38%

Every day
58%

Group discussions

How often do you have group discussions in this job?

Once a week
32%

Every day
63%

Public speaking

How often does this job require you to do public speaking?

Never
85%

Once a year
8%

Once a month
0%

Once a week
0%

Every day
8%

Level of competition

How much competitive pressure is in this job?

Not competitive at all
1%

Slightly competitive
26%

Moderately competitive
30%

Highly competitive
29%

Extremely competitive
14%

What is the work environment like

Office-style environment

Indoors in an environmentally controlled condition

Never
16%

Once a year or more
32%

Once a month or more
14%

Once a week or more
34%

Every day
5%

Warehouse-style environment

Indoors in a non-controlled environmental condition such as a warehouse

Never
4%

Once a year or more
23%

Once a month or more
6%

Once a week or more
39%

Every day
27%

Outdoors

Outdoors exposed to all weather conditions

Never
22%

Once a year or more
53%

Once a month or more
16%

Once a week or more
9%

Every day
0%

Outdoors – Under Cover

Outdoors but under cover (e.g. structure with roof but no walls)

Never
21%

Once a year or more
55%

Once a month or more
17%

Once a week or more
8%

Every day
0%

How to become one

Difficulty to become one

Easy
You may need some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience. Most careers in this difficulty category usually don’t require a degree. However, you will need a few months of on-the-job training with experienced employees. Similar careers include Customer Service Representatives, Security Guards, and Bank Tellers.

Required level of education

What level of education do you need to perform the job?

Less than a High School Diploma
51%

High School Diploma or equivalent
31%

Post-Secondary Certificate
17%

Some College Courses
0%

Associate’s Degree or similar
0%

Bachelor’s Degree
0%

Post-Baccalaureate Certificate
0%

Master’s Degree
0%

Post-Master’s Certificate
0%

First Professional Degree
0%

Doctoral Degree
0%

Post-Doctoral Training
0%

Relevant majors

Carpet, Floor, and Tile Worker

A program that prepares individuals to plan, prepare, install, and repair carpet; linoleum; vinyl; ceramic, marble, quarry, mosaic, and terazzo tiles; and wood materials on floors, walls, and stairs. Includes instruction in measuring, cutting, and installing materials; use of hand and power-operated equipment; estimation of material and labor costs; and safety training.

Mason/Masonry

A program that prepares individuals to apply technical knowledge and skills in the laying and/or setting of exterior brick, concrete block, hard tile, marble and related materials, using trowels, levels, hammers, chisels, and other hand tools. Includes instruction in technical mathematics, blueprint reading, structural masonry, decorative masonry, foundations, reinforcement, mortar preparation, cutting and finishing, and applicable codes and standards.

Relevant work experience

How much related work experience do you need to get hired for the job?

None
12%

1 month
0%

1 to 3 months
7%

3 to 6 months
1%

6 months to 1 year
23%

1 to 2 years
23%

2 to 4 years
19%

4 to 6 years
15%

6 to 8 years
0%

8 to 10 years
0%

Over 10 years
0%

On The Job Training

How much on the job training do you need to perform the job?

None or short demonstration
0%

1 month
17%

1 to 3 months
6%

3 to 6 months
12%

6 months to 1 year
16%

1 to 2 years
9%

2 to 4 years
35%

4 to 10 years
5%

Over 10 years
0%

Should you become one

Best personality type for this career

The Builder

People with this personality type likes practical and hands-on work. They prefer working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery.

The Builder
100%

People with The Builder personality type likes practical and hands-on work. They prefer working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery.


The Thinker
38%

People with The Thinker personality likes to work with ideas that require an extensive amount of thinking. They prefer work that requires them to solve problems mentally.


The Artist
52%

People with The Artist personality likes to work with designs and patterns. They prefer activities that require self-expression and prefer work that can be done without following a clear set of rules.


The Helper
19%

People with The Helper personality type likes to work with people and in teams. They prefer work that allows them to build relationships with others.


The Leader
24%

People with The Leader personality likes to start and work on projects. They also like leading people and making many decisions.


The Organizer
67%

People with The Organizer personality type likes to follow set procedures and routines. They prefer working with data and details more than with ideas.


You can read more about these career personality types here.

People who are suitable for this job tend to like work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They like working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery.

They also like following set procedures and routines. They like working with data and details more than with ideas.

Take this quiz to see if this is the right career for you.

Work Values

Which values are the most important to a person’s satisfaction for this job?

Achievement
29%

You are someone who is results oriented. You prefer work that allows you to utilize your skills and abilities while at the same time giving you a sense of accomplishment.

Working Conditions
50%

You are someone who values job security, steady employment, and good working conditions. You also prefer work that keeps you busy all the time with something different to do every day.

Recognition
33%

You are someone who values job advancement and leadership roles. You prefer work that receives recognition for the work you do and jobs that are looked up to by others in the company and your community.

Relationships
48%

You are someone who likes to provide a service to others. You prefer a work environment where you can work with your co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment.

Support
62%

You are someone who values a company that stands behind their employees. You prefer a work environment where everyone is treated fairly and is being supported by the company.

Independence
67%

You are someone who likes to work on your own and make your own decisions. You prefer work that requires little supervision and are allowed to try out your own ideas.

FAQ


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