Pay, demand and where to work, from BLS data with the year on every table.
low → high: location quotient
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By AtiveSite · Published 07/11/2026 · Updated 07/11/2026 · Every figure is linked to its source below.
Tile and stone setters (SOC 47-2044) employed 35,850 people in May 2025. The median pay is $55,690 a year ($26.77 an hour); the lowest-paid 10% earn under $37,140 and the highest-paid 10% more than $86,110. BLS projects its employment to change by +9.8% between 2025 and 2035 (about 3,300 openings a year including replacements). The typical way in: No formal educational credential.
Highest median pay: Massachusetts ($81,150), Hawaii ($79,270), Washington ($77,920). Most jobs: California (8,250), Florida (4,070), New York (2,990).
| Measure ⇅ | Annual ⇅ | Hourly equivalent ⇅ |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,140 | $17.86 |
| 25th percentile | $45,200 | $21.73 |
| Median | $55,690 | $26.77 |
| Mean | $59,250 | $28.49 |
| 75th percentile | $70,220 | $33.76 |
| 90th percentile (experienced) | $86,110 | $41.40 |
Estimate for a wage earner: 2026 federal brackets and standard deduction (IRS), Social Security 6.2% up to $184,500, Medicare 1.45% (+0.9% above $200,000 single / $250,000 married), and a state rate you set. It ignores credits, pre-tax deductions, local taxes and benefits. Sources: IRS: tax year 2026 inflation adjustments · SSA wage base per Federal Register notice 2025-19763.
Hourly equivalents divide by 2,080 hours. Pay above $239,200 is shown as "≥ $239,200" (BLS top code).
| Measure ⇅ | Value ⇅ |
|---|---|
| Jobs 2025 | 45,200 |
| Jobs 2035 (projected) | 49,600 |
| Change in jobs | 4,400 |
| Percent change | +9.8% |
| Openings a year (growth + replacements) | 3,300 |
| Self-employed share | 21.1% |
| Typical entry education | No formal educational credential |
| Work experience in a related occupation | None |
| Typical on-the-job training | Long-term on-the-job training |
Licences and certifications are set by states and employers; the education shown is the usual entry requirement, not a legal one.
| State ⇅ | Jobs ⇅ | Location quotient ⇅ | Median pay ⇅ | Entry (10th pct.) ⇅ | Top (90th pct.) ⇅ | Median vs US ⇅ | Yearly rent as % of median pay ⇅ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 260 | 0.54 | $44,800 | $33,610 | $51,750 | -20% | 29% |
| Arizona | 1,060 | 1.41 | $52,000 | $37,290 | $70,180 | -7% | 39% |
| Arkansas | 160 | 0.54 | $38,980 | $31,360 | $50,110 | -30% | 30% |
| California | 8,250 | 1.96 | $58,880 | $39,990 | $99,830 | +6% | 43% |
| Colorado | 870 | 1.32 | $57,690 | $35,040 | $83,200 | +4% | 38% |
| Connecticut | 230 | 0.60 | $63,150 | $47,660 | $104,070 | +13% | 29% |
| Florida | 4,070 | 1.78 | $47,280 | $28,050 | $72,380 | -15% | 46% |
| Georgia | 360 | 0.32 | $47,840 | $39,680 | $66,410 | -14% | 38% |
| Hawaii | 440 | 3.05 | $79,270 | $43,980 | $114,300 | +42% | 29% |
| Idaho | 570 | 2.89 | $47,940 | $36,510 | $59,220 | -14% | 35% |
| Illinois | 730 | 0.52 | $67,160 | $46,680 | $112,780 | +21% | 24% |
| Indiana | 540 | 0.73 | $48,450 | $37,700 | $77,170 | -13% | 27% |
| Iowa | 240 | 0.68 | $54,350 | $43,700 | $77,460 | -2% | 22% |
| Kansas | 310 | 0.94 | $54,920 | $39,470 | $74,990 | -1% | 24% |
| Kentucky | 180 | 0.40 | $47,380 | $34,620 | $56,290 | -15% | 25% |
| Louisiana | 190 | 0.43 | $44,750 | $28,770 | $56,650 | -20% | 29% |
| Maine | 60 | 0.41 | $70,720 | $59,280 | $131,890 | +27% | 21% |
| Maryland | 240 | 0.37 | $45,670 | $33,280 | $75,200 | -18% | 45% |
| Massachusetts | 410 | 0.49 | $81,150 | $52,040 | $104,170 | +46% | 27% |
| Michigan | 1,010 | 1.00 | $47,950 | $31,660 | $68,210 | -14% | 29% |
| Minnesota | 610 | 0.89 | $70,560 | $52,070 | $81,980 | +27% | 22% |
| Mississippi | 60 | 0.23 | $39,130 | $32,080 | $60,330 | -30% | 30% |
| Missouri | 470 | 0.69 | $60,590 | $39,250 | $79,470 | +9% | 21% |
| Montana | 240 | 2.07 | $58,670 | $44,500 | $70,640 | +5% | 24% |
| Nevada | 1,450 | 4.07 | $61,200 | $44,030 | $117,690 | +10% | 34% |
| New Hampshire | 40 | 0.26 | $49,900 | $45,170 | $84,830 | -10% | 37% |
| New Jersey | 460 | 0.47 | $62,370 | $38,420 | $113,930 | +12% | 35% |
| New Mexico | 280 | 1.38 | $44,550 | $33,480 | $59,740 | -20% | 30% |
| New York | 2,990 | 1.34 | $61,260 | $39,520 | $96,700 | +10% | 32% |
| North Carolina | 680 | 0.60 | $44,650 | $35,090 | $58,090 | -20% | 36% |
| North Dakota | 70 | 0.70 | $42,620 | $36,910 | $77,630 | -23% | 28% |
| Ohio | 670 | 0.52 | $46,140 | $36,520 | $72,050 | -17% | 28% |
| Oklahoma | 280 | 0.70 | $44,340 | $33,280 | $105,570 | -20% | 28% |
| Oregon | 790 | 1.73 | $58,790 | $35,760 | $81,950 | +6% | 33% |
| Pennsylvania | 880 | 0.63 | $70,230 | $44,300 | $96,980 | +26% | 21% |
| South Dakota | 30 | 0.33 | $50,640 | $38,660 | $67,830 | -9% | 24% |
| Tennessee | 350 | 0.47 | $43,570 | $31,160 | $59,140 | -22% | 35% |
| Texas | 1,260 | 0.39 | $47,030 | $35,100 | $80,880 | -16% | 38% |
| Utah | 1,590 | 3.96 | $49,340 | $35,830 | $69,640 | -11% | 39% |
| Vermont | 140 | 2.02 | $55,890 | $46,810 | $65,000 | +0% | 28% |
| Virginia | 750 | 0.79 | $48,880 | $28,990 | $72,870 | -12% | 40% |
| Washington | 660 | 0.81 | $77,920 | $56,560 | $102,720 | +40% | 28% |
| West Virginia | 50 | 0.30 | $50,900 | $37,830 | $68,880 | -9% | 21% |
| Wisconsin | 410 | 0.61 | $62,680 | $48,540 | $85,620 | +13% | 22% |
Location quotient above 1 means the occupation is more concentrated in the state than in the nation. "n/a" means BLS suppressed the figure. Rent uses the state median gross rent (ACS).
The 60 highest-paying metropolitan areas among those with at least 300 jobs in this occupation.
| Metropolitan area ⇅ | Jobs ⇅ | Median pay ⇅ | Entry (10th pct.) ⇅ | Top (90th pct.) ⇅ | Location quotient ⇅ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | 450 | $79,040 | $57,920 | $104,410 | 0.93 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | 550 | $74,670 | $47,950 | $114,070 | 0.53 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | 450 | $71,750 | $59,340 | $81,490 | 1.01 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | 390 | $70,730 | $40,280 | $97,590 | 0.59 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | 1,020 | $64,430 | $46,030 | $116,490 | 1.87 |
| Las Vegas-Henderson-North Las Vegas, NV | 990 | $63,540 | $44,030 | $121,900 | 3.79 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | 430 | $62,580 | $46,430 | $103,750 | 1.64 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | 390 | $61,900 | $43,860 | $84,330 | 1.39 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | 2,600 | $61,410 | $39,730 | $101,370 | 1.19 |
| Reno, NV | 360 | $58,650 | $46,010 | $104,310 | 5.73 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | 2,170 | $58,600 | $40,520 | $107,790 | 1.50 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | 910 | $58,240 | $39,590 | $90,690 | 2.56 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | 790 | $56,250 | $38,010 | $90,570 | 3.16 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | 940 | $54,850 | $38,110 | $104,750 | 2.37 |
| Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ | 780 | $53,500 | $37,290 | $69,290 | 1.43 |
| Naples-Marco Island, FL | 360 | $52,760 | $29,680 | $77,870 | 9.00 |
| Boise City, ID | 300 | $50,070 | $34,480 | $59,740 | 3.36 |
| Salt Lake City-Murray, UT | 970 | $49,990 | $36,850 | $70,720 | 5.11 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | 450 | $49,180 | $33,280 | $74,690 | 0.63 |
| Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL | 950 | $48,290 | $28,720 | $74,170 | 1.47 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | 430 | $47,920 | $36,850 | $96,980 | 0.46 |
| Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI | 470 | $47,800 | $31,660 | $74,630 | 1.08 |
| Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL | 450 | $47,460 | $27,730 | $71,590 | 1.39 |
| Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL | 480 | $46,280 | $27,830 | $65,690 | 1.44 |
The median is $55,690 a year ($26.77 an hour); the lowest-paid tenth earn under $37,140 and the highest-paid tenth over $86,110 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
35,850 in May 2025, and BLS projects +9.8% growth to 2035.
The typical entry education is: No formal educational credential (BLS).
Massachusetts, with a median of $81,150 (among states with published figures).