Salary, Job Description, How To Become One, and Quiz
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Tile and Marble Setters
Tile and Marble Setters apply hard tile, stone, and comparable materials to walls, floors, ceilings, countertops, and roof decks.
Table of contents
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.
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What is the job like
Job satisfaction
Is this job meaningful
52% said they were satisfied with their job and 43% said they found their job meaningful.
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
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
Average hourly wage
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 |
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What is the work day like
Working hours
Working schedule
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Telephone
How often do you have telephone conversations in this job?
Group discussions
How often do you have group discussions in this job?
Public speaking
How often does this job require you to do public speaking?
Level of competition
How much competitive pressure is in this job?
What is the work environment like
Office-style environment
Indoors in an environmentally controlled condition
Warehouse-style environment
Indoors in a non-controlled environmental condition such as a warehouse
Outdoors
Outdoors exposed to all weather conditions
Outdoors – Under Cover
Outdoors but under cover (e.g. structure with roof but no walls)
How to become one
Difficulty to become one
Required level of education
What level of education do you need to perform the job?
Relevant majors
Carpet, Floor, and Tile Worker
Mason/Masonry
Relevant work experience
How much related work experience do you need to get hired for the job?
On The Job Training
How much on the job training do you need to perform the job?
Should you become one
Best personality type for this career
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
People with The Leader personality likes to start and work on projects. They also like leading people and making many decisions.
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?
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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