Occupation Summary

Tile and Stone Setters

O*NET 47-2044.00

Description:

Apply hard tile, stone, and comparable materials to walls, floors, ceilings, countertops, and roof decks.

Annual Wages:
$43,364.00
Employment Rate:
Employment is expected to increase by 12.06%.
Education Level:
High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED). According to O*Net, the majority of people employed in this occupation have this level of education.
Endorsement:
Business and Industry

  1. Align and straighten tile using levels, squares, and straightedges.
  2. Determine and implement the best layout to achieve a desired pattern.
  3. Cut and shape tile to fit around obstacles and into odd spaces and corners, using hand and power cutting tools.
  4. Finish and dress the joints and wipe excess grout from between tiles, using damp sponge.
  5. Apply mortar to tile back, position the tile, and press or tap with trowel handle to affix tile to base.
  6. Mix, apply, and spread plaster, concrete, mortar, cement, mastic, glue or other adhesives to form a bed for the tiles, using brush, trowel and screed.
  7. Prepare cost and labor estimates, based on calculations of time and materials needed for project.
  8. Measure and mark surfaces to be tiled, following blueprints.
  9. Level concrete and allow to dry.
  10. Build underbeds and install anchor bolts, wires, and brackets.
  11. Prepare surfaces for tiling by attaching lath or waterproof paper, or by applying a cement mortar coat to a metal screen.
  12. Study blueprints and examine surface to be covered to determine amount of material needed.
  13. Cut, surface, polish, and install marble and granite or install pre-cast terrazzo, granite or marble units.
  14. Install and anchor fixtures in designated positions, using hand tools.
  15. Cut tile backing to required size, using shears.
  16. Remove any old tile, grout and adhesive using chisels and scrapers and clean the surface carefully.
  17. Lay and set mosaic tiles to create decorative wall, mural, and floor designs.
  18. Assist customers in selection of tile and grout.
  19. Remove and replace cracked or damaged tile.
  20. Measure and cut metal lath to size for walls and ceilings, using tin snips.
  21. Select and order tile and other items to be installed, such as bathroom accessories, walls, panels, and cabinets, according to specifications.
  22. Mix and apply mortar or cement to edges and ends of drain tiles to seal halves and joints.
  23. Spread mastic or other adhesive base on roof deck to form base for promenade tile, using serrated spreader.
  24. Apply a sealer to make grout stain- and water-resistant.
  25. Brush glue onto manila paper on which design has been drawn and position tiles, finished side down, onto paper.


National Industry Employment Patterns


Industry % of Tile and Stone Setters employed Annual Growth Rate
Building finishing contractors 47.2 1.02
Residential building construction 5.1 1.26


Labor Market Information


2024 Statewide average hourly wage $20.85
2024 National average hourly wage $27.69
2022 National employment 59,400
2022 Texas employment 2,852
Texas projected employment by 2032 3,196
Texas projected annual employment and Turnover openings through 2032 267




TEXAS COUNTY MAP BY WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT AREA
* Due to confidentiality rules, not all regions may have the data displayed. The sum of all the regions may not be equal to the state total.


Top 10 Relevant Knowledge Areas Relevant Importance Levels
Building and Construction
Knowledge of materials, methods, and the tools involved in the construction or repair of houses, buildings, or other structures such as highways and roads.
79.40%
Mathematics
Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
67.00%
Customer and Personal Service
Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
60.80%
Design
Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
60.20%
Mechanical
Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
51.40%
Administration and Management
Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
51.40%
English Language
Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
50.40%
Education and Training
Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
49.00%
Economics and Accounting
Knowledge of economic and accounting principles and practices, the financial markets, banking, and the analysis and reporting of financial data.
48.80%
Production and Processing
Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
48.00%


Top 10 Relevant Skill Areas Relevant Importance Levels
Active Listening
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
62.40%
Speaking
Talking to others to convey information effectively.
60.00%
Mathematics
Using mathematics to solve problems.
60.00%
Critical Thinking
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
60.00%
Coordination
Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
60.00%
Complex Problem Solving
Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
60.00%
Time Management
Managing one's own time and the time of others.
60.00%
Reading Comprehension
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
57.60%
Monitoring
Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
55.00%
Judgment and Decision Making
Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
55.00%


Top 10 Relevant Abilities Relevant Importance Levels
Visualization
The ability to imagine how something will look after it is moved around or when its parts are moved or rearranged.
75.00%
Near Vision
The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
72.40%
Extent Flexibility
The ability to bend, stretch, twist, or reach with your body, arms, and/or legs.
70.00%
Trunk Strength
The ability to use your abdominal and lower back muscles to support part of the body repeatedly or continuously over time without "giving out" or fatiguing.
67.60%
Problem Sensitivity
The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem.
67.60%
Information Ordering
The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
65.00%
Category Flexibility
The ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways.
62.40%
Oral Comprehension
The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
62.40%
Stamina
The ability to exert yourself physically over long periods of time without getting winded or out of breath.
62.40%
Static Strength
The ability to exert maximum muscle force to lift, push, pull, or carry objects.
62.40%


  • Getting Information
    -- Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
  • Performing General Physical Activities
    -- Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling materials.
  • Handling and Moving Objects
    -- Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
  • Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials
    -- Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
  • Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
    -- Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
Other Activities


  • Independence
    - Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.
  • Support
    - Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical.



Tools

Abrasive stones: Grinding stones;

Acoustic ear muffs or defenders: Acoustic ear muffs or defenders;

Adjustable widemouth pliers: Adjustable widemouth pliers;

Air compressors: Air compressors;

Air exhausters: Exhaust fans;

Angle grinder: Angle grinders;

Articulating boom lift: Articulating boom lifts;

Bench vises: Bench vises;

Blow torch: Blow torches;

Caulking guns: Caulking guns;

Chalk lines: Chalk lines;

Claw hammer: Claw hammers;

Cold chisels: Cold chisels;

Concrete spreaders: Screeds; Serrated spreaders;

Demolition hammers: Chipping hammers;

Dust collectors: Dust collectors;

Ear plugs: Ear plugs;

Eyewashers or eye wash stations: Eyewash facilities;

Facial shields: Face shields;

Floats: Grout floats; Magnesium floats; Bull floats; Wood floats;

Floor polishers: Floor polishers;

Floor scrapers: Floor scrapers;

Floor scrubbers: Tile grout cleaning machines; Floor scrubbers;

Gas generators: Gas generators;

Glue guns: Hot glue guns;

Goggles: Goggles;

Hacksaw: Hacksaws;

Hammers: Hammers; Rubber hammers;

Hard hats: Hard hats;

Ladders: Ladders;

Level sensors or transmitters: Transit levels;

Levels: Levels; Laser levels; Builders' levels; Water levels;

Lifelines or lifeline equipment: Lifelines;

Mallets: Mallets;

Masks or accessories: Dust masks;

Notebook computers: Notebook computers;

Personal computers: Personal computers;

Plaster or mortar mixers: Colloidal mixers; Drum cement mixers; Horizontal shaft mixers; Mixing drills; Pan mixers; Portable mortar mixers; Vertical shaft mixers;

Plumb bobs: Plumb bobs;

Pneumatic hammer: Jackhammers;

Power buffers: Stone polishers; Polishers; Power buffers;

Power chippers: Power chisels;

Power drills: Hammer drills; Power drills;

Power grinders: Stone grinders; Mini grinders; Base grinders; Floor grinding machines;

Power routers: Power routers;

Power saws: Power tile saws; Power undercut saws; Wet saws; Grout saws;

Power screwguns: Stand-up screw guns;

Protective gloves: Safety gloves;

Pry bars: Pry bars; Wonder bars; Molding prybars;

Putty knives: Putty knives;

Razor knives: Grout scrapers;

Respirators: Respirators;

Safety glasses: Safety glasses;

Safety harnesses or belts: Fall arrest systems;

Scaffolding: Ladder jacks; Mechanical scaffolds; Stationary scaffolds; Scaffolding; Rolling scaffolds;

Scarifiers: Power scarifiers;

Scissor lift or lift table: Scissor lifts;

Screwdrivers: Screwdrivers;

Second cut file: Double-sided files;

Socket sets: Socket wrench sets;

Spatulas: Spreader spatulas;

Squares: Squares; Laser squares;

Staple guns: Staple guns;

Straight edges: Straightedges;

Suction cups: Suction cups;

Tape measures: Tape measures; Story pole tape measures; Layout sticks;

Tile cutter: Tile cutters; Tile nippers;

Tinners snips: Tin snips;

Trowels: Buttering trowels; Gauging trowels; Finishing trowels; Flat trowels; Point trowels; Notch trowels; Margin trowels; Heavy gauge trowels; Grouting trowels;

Utility knives: Utility knives;

Wet or dry combination vacuum cleaners: Wet-dry vacuums;

Winches: Electric winches;


Technology

Computer aided design CAD software: EasyCAD Iris 2D; TileGem;

Customer relationship management CRM software: Salesforce software;

Data base user interface and query software: Aya Associates Comp-U-Floor;

Electronic mail software: Microsoft Outlook;

Office suite software: Microsoft Office software;

Operating system software: Microsoft operating system;

Presentation software: Microsoft PowerPoint;

Project management software: Measure Square FloorEstimate Pro;

Spreadsheet software: Microsoft Excel;

Word processing software: Microsoft Word;


Related O*NET occupational titles for Tile and Stone Setters include:
  • 47-2021.00 Brickmasons and Blockmasons
  • 47-2041.00 Carpet Installers
  • 47-2051.00 Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers
  • 47-2081.00 Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers
  • 47-2042.00 Floor Layers, Except Carpet, Wood, and Hard Tiles
  • 47-2043.00 Floor Sanders and Finishers
  • 47-3011.00 Helpers--Brickmasons, Blockmasons, Stonemasons, and Tile and Marble Setters
  • 47-2161.00 Plasterers and Stucco Masons
  • 47-2022.00 Stonemasons
  • 47-2053.00 Terrazzo Workers and Finishers


Sources of Additional Information
  • For details about apprenticeships, training, or other work opportunities in this trade, contact the offices of the state employment service, the state apprenticeship agency, local contractors or firms that employ flooring installers and tile and stone setters, or local union–management apprenticeship committees. Apprenticeship information is available from the U.S. Department of Labor's Apprenticeship program online or by phone at 877-872-5627. Visit Apprenticeship.gov to search for apprenticeship opportunities.
  • For more information about flooring installers and tile and stone setters, visit: Ceramic Tile Education Foundation
  • International Masonry Institute
  • International Union of Bricklayers & Allied Craftworkers
  • Tile Contractors’ Association of America
  • The Tile Council of North America, Inc.
  • Home Builders Institute
  • For more information about training and certification of flooring installers and tile and stone setters, visit: International Certified Floorcovering Installers Association
  • Finishing Trades Institute International
  • International Standards & Training Alliance (INSTALL)
  • National Tile Contractors Association
  • National Wood Flooring Association
  • Carpet Installers
  • Floor Layers, Except Carpet, Wood, and Hard Tiles
  • Floor Sanders and Finishers
  • Tile and Stone Setters

  • Contact Texas Workforce Commission
    Labor Market and Career Information  |  101 E. 15th Street, Annex Room 0252  |  Austin, Texas 78778
    Official Website  |  1-800-822-PLAN (7526)  |  512.936.3200

    ** The information in this report may be derived from many sources like O*NET, BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics), OOH (Occupational Outlook Handbook), and Career One Stop.