Tile and Stone Setters

What the job really is

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

At a glance

• Sector: Construction & Extraction
• O*NET-SOC code: 47-2044
• O*NET job zone: 2 — some preparation
• Work sample tasks on file: 12
• Tools and technologies listed: 12

What you actually do

Work sample tasks recorded for this occupation:

• Align and straighten tile using levels, squares, and straightedges.
• Finish and dress the joints and wipe excess grout from between tiles, using damp sponge.
• Cut and shape tile to fit around obstacles and into odd spaces and corners, using hand and power cutting tools.
• Determine and implement the best layout to achieve a desired pattern.
• 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.
• Study blueprints and examine surface to be covered to determine amount of material needed.
• Measure and mark surfaces to be tiled, following blueprints.
• Lay and set mosaic tiles to create decorative wall, mural, and floor designs.
• Apply mortar to tile back, position the tile, and press or tap with trowel handle to affix tile to base.
• Mix and apply mortar or cement to edges and ends of drain tiles to seal halves and joints.
• Apply a sealer to make grout stain- and water-resistant.
• Level concrete and allow to dry.

Tools and technology

Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office software, Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft PowerPoint, Microsoft Word, Salesforce software, Acoustic ear muffs or defenders, Adjustable widemouth pliers, Air compressors, Angle grinders, Articulating boom lifts, Aya Associates Comp-U-Floor

What employers expect you to already be comfortable with.

Where this job leads

Related occupations — the usual moves up and sideways:

• Floor Layers, Except Carpet, Wood, and Hard Tiles
• Terrazzo Workers and Finishers
• Stonemasons
• Helpers--Brickmasons, Blockmasons, Stonemasons, and Tile and Marble Setters
• Stone Cutters and Carvers, Manufacturing
• Brickmasons and Blockmasons
• Carpet Installers
• Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers

Getting in

O*NET assigns this occupation job zone 2 (some preparation). The related occupations above are the realistic routes in and out.

Find openings

Browse the verified job sources directory, or explore more occupations.

Check this against the source

O*NET OnLine: Tile and Stone Setters — the authoritative public-domain profile this page is derived from, including the full task list, reported skills and the wage estimates for your region.

Derived and rewritten from the public-domain O*NET database (U.S. Department of Labor / Employment and Training Administration). Figures are observations, not promises — always confirm salary, licensing and visa requirements with the employer and the relevant authority.