Occupation Details
Tile and Stone Setters
Apply hard tile, stone, and comparable materials to walls, floors, ceilings, countertops, and roof decks.
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Interests
Realistic
Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.
Artistic
Artistic occupations frequently involve working with forms, designs and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules.
Conventional
Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.
Work Values
Working Conditions
Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions.
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.
Independence
Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.
Salary & Job Outlook
Starting Salary
$42,770.00
New York StateMedian Salary
$63,640.00
New York StateExperienced Salary
$92,400.00
New York StateNational Average for Comparison
New York State Job Market Outlook
Jobs Right Now (2018)
4,750
professionals in NYFuture Job Growth (2030)
6,330
+158 jobs/yearNew Jobs Every Year
625
new opportunities yearlyGrowth Rate
0.3%
projected increasePreparation: Experience, Training, and Education
The list below outlines the prior educational experience required to perform in this occupation.
Some Training - Certificate or hands-on training
Experience Requirements
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is usually needed. For example, a teller would benefit from experience working directly with the public.
Education Requirements
These occupations usually require a high school diploma.
Training Details
Employees in these occupations need anywhere from a few months to one year of working with experienced employees. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
Transferrable Skills and Experience
These occupations often involve using your knowledge and skills to help others. Examples include orderlies, counter and rental clerks, customer service representatives, security guards, upholsterers, tellers, and dental laboratory technicians.
School Programs
The following lists school programs which are applicable to this occupation.
Licensing & Certification
State License and Certifications Requirements are not currently associated with this occupation.
Apprenticeship
Contact your regional representative to learn more about apprenticeships available in your area by visiting Apprenticeship Contacts.
Skills
The list below includes the skills required by workers in this occupation; skills are what allow you to learn more quickly and improve your performance.
Critical Thinking
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
Coordination
Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
Mathematics
Using mathematics to solve problems.
Skill level is measured on a seven point scale, where one means 'some competence required for this occupation' and seven means 'a high level of expertise required for this occupation'.
Knowledge
The list below includes knowledge items, the principles and facts required by this occupation.
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.
English Language
Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Mathematics
Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
Design
Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
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.
Mechanical
Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
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.
Knowledge level is measured on a seven point scale, where one means 'some competence required for this occupation' and seven means 'a high level of expertise required for this occupation'.
Work Environment
The list below includes the physical and social factors that influence the nature of work in this occupation.
Hover over or tap each factor to see its description.
Work Styles
Included in the list below are the personal work style characteristics that can affect how well a worker is likely to perform in this occupation.
Adaptability/Flexibility
Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.
Attention to Detail
Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
Concern for Others
Job requires being sensitive to others' needs and feelings and being understanding and helpful on the job.
Cooperation
Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
Dependability
Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
Independence
Job requires developing one's own ways of doing things, guiding oneself with little or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done.
Initiative
Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
Integrity
Job requires being honest and ethical.
Self-Control
Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.
Stress Tolerance
Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high-stress situations.
Tools & Technology
This list below describes the machines, equipment, tools, software, and information technology that workers in this occupation will use.
Tools
- Acoustic ear muffs or defenders
- Adjustable widemouth pliers
- Air compressors
- Angle grinders
- Articulating boom lifts
- Base grinders
- Bench vises
- Blow torches
- Builders' levels
- Bull floats
- Buttering trowels
- Caulking guns
- Chalk lines
- Chipping hammers
- Claw hammers
- Cold chisels
- Colloidal mixers
- Double-sided files
- Drum cement mixers
- Dust collectors
- Dust masks
- Ear plugs
- Electric winches
- Exhaust fans
- Eyewash facilities
- Face shields
- Fall arrest systems
- Flat trowels
- Floor grinding machines
- Floor polishers
Technology
- Aya Associates Comp-U-Floor
- EasyCAD Iris 2D
- Measure Square FloorEstimate Pro
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft operating system
- Salesforce software
Duties
Duties are job behaviors describing activities that occur on multiple jobs. The generalized and detailed work activities described in the list below apply to this occupation.
- order or purchase supplies, materials, or equipment
- advise clients or customers
- measure tile or masonry materials
- verify levelness or verticality, using level or plumb bob
- use hand or power tools
- use measuring devices in construction or extraction work
- use concrete fabrication techniques
- lay out masonry work
- adhere to safety procedures
- perform safety inspections in construction or resource extraction setting
- understand construction specifications
- estimate time or cost for installation, repair, or construction projects
- determine material or tool requirements
- select masonry material to be installed according to specifications
- apply adhesives, caulking, sealants, or coatings
- climb ladders, scaffolding, or utility or telephone poles
- build or repair structures in construction, repair, or manufacturing setting
- erect scaffold
- install prefabricated building components
- lay or install brick, block, stone, tile, or related masonry material
- move or fit heavy objects
- prepare site or surfaces for concrete or masonry work
- apply plaster, stucco or related material
- install lathing to support plaster, stucco, or related construction material
- repair cracks, defects, or damage in installed building materials
- repair or replace damaged bricks, tile, or related masonry
- cut or shape stone, tile, brick, or related material
- mix mortar, grout, slurry, concrete, or related masonry material
- read blueprints
- read tape measure
- read technical drawings
- apply grouting or other masonry adhesives
- mix paint, ingredients, or chemicals, according to specifications
- fabricate, assemble, or disassemble manufactured products by hand
Tasks
The list below outlines specific tasks that a worker in this occupation is called upon to do regularly.
- Cut and shape tile to fit around obstacles and into odd spaces and corners, using hand and power cutting tools.
- Align and straighten tile using levels, squares, and straightedges.
- Lay and set mosaic tiles to create decorative wall, mural, and floor designs.
- Prepare cost and labor estimates, based on calculations of time and materials needed for project.
- Determine and implement the best layout to achieve a desired pattern.
- Measure and mark surfaces to be tiled, following blueprints.
- Finish and dress the joints and wipe excess grout from between tiles, using damp sponge.
- Study blueprints and examine surface to be covered to determine amount of material needed.
- 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.
- Cut, surface, polish, and install marble and granite or install pre-cast terrazzo, granite or marble units.
- Apply mortar to tile back, position the tile, and press or tap with trowel handle to affix tile to base.
- Level concrete and allow to dry.
- Spread mastic or other adhesive base on roof deck to form base for promenade tile, using serrated spreader.
- Cut tile backing to required size, using shears.
- Prepare surfaces for tiling by attaching lath or waterproof paper, or by applying a cement mortar coat to a metal screen.
- Mix and apply mortar or cement to edges and ends of drain tiles to seal halves and joints.
- Remove and replace cracked or damaged tile.
- Install and anchor fixtures in designated positions, using hand tools.
- Apply a sealer to make grout stain- and water-resistant.
- Assist customers in selection of tile and grout.
- Select and order tile and other items to be installed, such as bathroom accessories, walls, panels, and cabinets, according to specifications.
- Remove any old tile, grout and adhesive using chisels and scrapers and clean the surface carefully.
- Measure and cut metal lath to size for walls and ceilings, using tin snips.
- Build underbeds and install anchor bolts, wires, and brackets.
- Brush glue onto manila paper on which design has been drawn and position tiles, finished side down, onto paper.
Learning Resources
More information on this occupation may be found in the links provided below.
Carpet, floor, and tile installers and finishers
Visit this link for additional information on this career from the Occupational Outlook Handbook; a publication produced and maintained by the United States Department of Labor.
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