Renovation & BuildingSkilledFinishes
Tile Setter
Bathrooms, kitchens, and wet rooms. Tile pays better than most finish trades because the work is unforgiving — waterproofing behind a shower has to be right the first time — and good setters are genuinely scarce. Usually entered by helping a setter mix, cut, and haul.
What you'd actually do
- Prepare and level substrates and set backer board
- Install waterproofing and membranes in wet areas
- Set tile to a layout that keeps cuts out of sight lines
- Grout, seal, and detail edges and corners
The facts
- Training time
- 1-3 years, mostly as a helper
- Experience expected
- 1-3 years
- Physical demand
- moderate
- Room to advance
- strong
- Path to ownership
- high
- Level
- Skilled
Work environment
Indoors · Occupied homes · Kneeling · Wet areas
Skills
Core to the job
- Finish & trim work
- Measuring & layout
- Waterproofing & sealing
- Attention to detail
- Practical math
Helps you stand out
- Masonry & concrete
- Blueprint & plan reading
- Plumbing
- Hand & power tools
Education & credentials
- No formal education required
- Usually learned assisting a setter
- Certified Tile Installer (CTI)Commonly expected
- Waterproofing / membrane manufacturer trainingCommonly expected
Licensing rules vary by state, county, and job scope. Always confirm what applies where you plan to work.
Where this leads
Finish Carpenter
Renovation & BuildingSpecialist
Trim, cabinetry, stairs, and built-ins. Precision work that commands premium rates on renovation jobs.
- Training:
- 4-6 years
- Experience:
- 4-6 years
General Contractor
Renovation & BuildingOwner
You hold the license, carry the risk, and run the business. The classic destination for skilled tradespeople.
- Training:
- 5-10 years
- Experience:
- 5-10 years
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Your skills also transfer to
- Hardscape InstallerLandscaping & Outdoor
- Hardscape ForemanLandscaping & Outdoor