Floor Layers, Except Carpet, Wood, and Hard Tiles earn a median of $56,460 per year ($27.15/hr) (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Employment is projected to grow 9.0% through 2035, with about 2,200 openings a year (BLS EP, 2025–2035). Typical entry-level education: No formal educational credential.
- SOC 47-2042
- Construction and Extraction
- Last updated October 9, 2026
At a glance
Floor Layer, Except Carpet, Wood, and Hard Tiles in four numbers
- Median pay
- $56,460a year, or $27.15/hrBLS OEWS, May 2025Lowest 10% $38KTop 10% $97K
US median, all jobs: $50,980
- Projected growth
- +9.0%Much faster than averageBLS EP, 2025–2035This career+9%All jobs+3.5%
Projected employment change, 2025–2035 Item Value This career +9% All jobs +3.5% - Openings a year
- 2,20029,800 jobs todayBLS EP, 2025–2035
- Jobs in 202529.8K
- Projected 203532.4K
Employment, 2025–2035 Item Value Jobs in 2025 29.8K Projected 2035 32.4K - Typical education
- No formal credentialneeded to enterBLS EP, 2025–2035; mix: O*NET
- Less than high school5.7%
- High school89.5%
- Certificate4.4%
- Some college0.4%
Highest education held by floor layers, except carpet, wood, and hard tiles Segment Value Less than high school 5.7% High school 89.5% Certificate 4.4% Some college 0.4%
Also advertised as: Floor Covering Contractor, Floor Coverings Installer, Floor Installer, Floor Layer, Flooring Installer, Flooring Mechanic.
Pay
How much do Floor Layers, Except Carpet, Wood, and Hard Tiles make?
Every floor layer, except carpet, wood, and hard tiles in the US, by percentile of annual wage
Median
$56,460
Middle half earn $45,660 to $73,840
- 10th
- $37,600
- 25th
- $45,660
- 75th
- $73,840
- 90th
- $96,700
All US occupations: $50,980
| Percentile | Value |
|---|---|
| 10th | $37,600 |
| 25th | $45,660 |
| Median | $56,460 |
| 75th | $73,840 |
| 90th | $96,700 |
| All US occupations | $50,980 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Median annual wage
- $56,460
- Median hourly wage
- $27.15/hr
- Mean annual wage
- $61,760
- People employed
- 23,640
Versus all US occupations
At $56,460, Floor Layers, Except Carpet, Wood, and Hard Tiles earn 11% above the $50,980 median across all US occupations, a difference of $5,480 a year.
Versus construction and extraction occupations
Inside the Construction and Extraction group, where the middle occupation pays $60,020, this is 6% below the group median.
Pay range
The top 10% earn $96,700 or more while the bottom 10% earn $37,600, a gap of 2.6×. That is a typical spread for a US occupation.
Rank in the bank
This median pays more than 28% of the 1,741 occupations in the NueCareer career bank.
Highest-paying state
Alaska pays the most at $92,860, and still leads at $90,720 once local prices are taken into account.
Pay by state
Which states pay Floor Layers, Except Carpet, Wood, and Hard Tiles the most?
State medians come from the same OEWS release as the national figures. The cost-of-living column divides each state median by that state's BEA Regional Price Parity, restating pay in national-average dollars so a high-cost state and a low-cost one can be compared directly.
| State | Median | COL-adjusted | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1Alaska | $92,860 | $90,720 | 70 |
| 2Massachusetts | $79,280 | $74,964 | 1,060 |
| 3Hawaii | $77,280 | $70,286 | 210 |
| 4Illinois | $69,880 | $69,909 | 1,330 |
| 5New York | $61,360 | $56,856 | 880 |
| 6California | $61,210 | $55,284 | 4,330 |
| 7Pennsylvania | $60,050 | $61,544 | 720 |
| 8New Jersey | $59,840 | $54,997 | 700 |
| 9Ohio | $59,470 | $64,102 | 850 |
| 10Minnesota | $59,380 | $60,210 | 490 |
Job outlook
Is Floor Layer, Except Carpet, Wood, and Hard Tiles a growing career?
Employment change over 2025–2035, against every US occupation
Much faster than average. +9.0% projected growth vs 3.5% for all occupations.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Floor Layers, Except Carpet, Wood, and Hard Tiles | +9% |
| All US occupations | +3.5% |
Source: BLS EP, 2025–2035
Much faster than average
BLS projects employment of Floor Layers, Except Carpet, Wood, and Hard Tiles to change 9.0% over 2025–2035, roughly 2.6× the 3.5% projected for all occupations. That is 2,700 more jobs.
Annual openings
About 2,200 openings are projected each year, 7.4% of the 29,800 jobs that existed in 2025. Most come from workers leaving the occupation, not from growth alone.
Overall employment of flooring installers and tile and stone setters is projected to grow 4 percent from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the average for all occupations.
Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
Projected employment of flooring installers and tile and stone setters varies by occupation (see table).
The construction of new homes and the renovation of existing units will be the primary source of flooring and tile and stone installation over the projections decade.
Getting in
How to become a Floor Layer, Except Carpet, Wood, and Hard Tiles
Flooring installers and tile and stone setters typically need no formal educational credential. They learn their trade on the job, sometimes starting as a helper. Some learn through an apprenticeship.
- 1
Typical entry-level education
No formal educational credential
- 2
Work experience in a related occupation
None
- 3
Typical on-the-job training
Moderate-term on-the-job training
- 4
Preparation needed (O*NET job zone)
Little or no preparation
BLS Employment Projections, 2025–2035; job zone from O*NET 31.0 Database.
What education people in the job have
O*NET incumbent survey: the highest level of education reported by people already working as floor layers, except carpet, wood, and hard tiles.
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)89.5%
- Less than a High School Diploma5.7%
- Post-Secondary Certificate4.4%
- Some College Courses0.4%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) | 89.5% |
| Less than a High School Diploma | 5.7% |
| Post-Secondary Certificate | 4.4% |
| Some College Courses | 0.4% |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
The work
What does a Floor Layer, Except Carpet, Wood, and Hard Tiles do?
Apply blocks, strips, or sheets of shock-absorbing, sound-deadening, or decorative coverings to floors.
Flooring installers and tile and stone setters lay and finish carpet, wood, vinyl, and other materials, such as ceramic, glass, marble, and granite.
Day-to-day tasks
- Cut covering and foundation materials, according to blueprints and sketches.
- Trim excess covering materials, tack edges, and join sections of covering material to form tight joint.
- Cut flooring material to fit around obstructions.
- Sweep, scrape, sand, or chip dirt and irregularities to clean base surfaces, correcting imperfections that may show through the covering.
- Measure and mark guidelines on surfaces or foundations, using chalk lines and dividers.
- Inspect surface to be covered to ensure that it is firm and dry.
- Form a smooth foundation by stapling plywood or Masonite over the floor or by brushing waterproof compound onto surface and filling cracks with plaster, putty, or grout to seal pores.
- Apply adhesive cement to floor or wall material to join and adhere foundation material.
O*NET core tasks, ordered by reported importance.
Working conditions and hours
Most flooring installers and tile and stone setters work full time, although schedules may vary. In commercial settings, they may need to work evenings and weekends to avoid disturbing regular business operations.
Where the work happens
Indoors, climate-controlled
NeverEvery dayOutdoors in all weather
NeverEvery day
Physical demands
Sitting
NeverAlmost all the timeStanding
NeverAlmost all the timeBending or twisting
NeverAlmost all the timeRegular bending or twisting.
Working with people
Contact with other people
NoneConstantConstant contact with other people.
Face-to-face discussions
NeverEvery dayFace-to-face discussions every day.
Dealing with the public
Not importantExtremely important
Pressure and stakes
Strict deadlines
NeverEvery dayConflict situations
NeverEvery dayConflict situations are rare.
Cost of a mistake
Not seriousExtremely seriousMistakes are not usually serious.
Autonomy
Freedom to decide
NoneA lotA lot of freedom to make decisions without checking first.
Schedules: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2025–2035 edition. Conditions: O*NET Work Context survey. Each item has its own scale, so each dot is read against the two answers that end its own line.
Core skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Active Listening3.1
- Speaking3.1
- Critical Thinking2.9
- Monitoring2.9
- Active Learning2.8
- Reading Comprehension2.4
- Writing2.4
- Mathematics2.1
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Active Listening | 3.1 |
| Speaking | 3.1 |
| Critical Thinking | 2.9 |
| Monitoring | 2.9 |
| Active Learning | 2.8 |
| Reading Comprehension | 2.4 |
| Writing | 2.4 |
| Mathematics | 2.1 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Transferable skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Social Perceptiveness2.9
- Coordination2.9
- Judgment and Decision Making2.9
- Time Management2.9
- Complex Problem Solving2.8
- Negotiation2.5
- Persuasion2.4
- Instructing2.4
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Social Perceptiveness | 2.9 |
| Coordination | 2.9 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 2.9 |
| Time Management | 2.9 |
| Complex Problem Solving | 2.8 |
| Negotiation | 2.5 |
| Persuasion | 2.4 |
| Instructing | 2.4 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Tools and software
- Office suite software · in demand
- Web page creation and editing software · in demand
- Computer aided design CAD software
- Data base user interface and query software
- Internet browser software
- Inventory management software
- Project management software
“In demand” marks an O*NET Employer-Based Hot Technology, software named in real job postings for this occupation.
Personality fit
What personality type suits a Floor Layer, Except Carpet, Wood, and Hard Tiles?
O*NET Occupational Interests (RIASEC), scored 1 to 7
| Axis | Floor Layer, Except Carpet, Wood, and Hard Tiles |
|---|---|
| Realistic | 7 |
| Investigative | 1 |
| Artistic | 2 |
| Social | 2 |
| Enterprising | 1 |
| Conventional | 4 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
What the work is built around
Day to day this is work built around hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors, combined with organising, following procedures and working precisely with data.
- Realistic7.0
- Conventional3.7
- Artistic1.8
- Social1.6
- Investigative1.4
- Enterprising1.0
Closest MBTI types
NueCareer fit scores: cosine similarity between each MBTI type's interest vector and this occupation's O*NET interest profile. Not a BLS or O*NET figure; the method is documented on our methodology page.
Explore further
Careers related to Floor Layer, Except Carpet, Wood, and Hard Tiles
O*NET related occupations
- Construction and Extraction
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Insulation Worker, Floor, Ceiling, and Wall
$49,120median a year
Most earn $37K to $78K
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Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installer
$58,930median a year
Most earn $38K to $102K
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More construction and extraction careers
Median annual pay, with floor layers, except carpet, wood, and hard tiles highlighted
- Plumber$63,800
- Electrician$63,190
- Structural Iron and Steel Worker$62,780
- Sheet Metal Worker$61,800
- Carpenter$60,580
- Operating Engineer and Other Construction Equipment Operator$59,850
- Floor Layer, Except Carpet, Wood, and Hard Tiles$56,460
- Roofer$55,440
- Oil and Gas Roustabout$46,960
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Plumber | $63,800 |
| Electrician | $63,190 |
| Structural Iron and Steel Worker | $62,780 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $61,800 |
| Carpenter | $60,580 |
| Operating Engineer and Other Construction Equipment Operator | $59,850 |
| Floor Layer, Except Carpet, Wood, and Hard Tiles | $56,460 |
| Roofer | $55,440 |
| Oil and Gas Roustabout | $46,960 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
Lists Floor Layer, Except Carpet, Wood, and Hard Tiles appears on
Questions
Floor Layer, Except Carpet, Wood, and Hard Tiles: frequently asked questions
How much do Floor Layers, Except Carpet, Wood, and Hard Tiles make?
Floor Layers, Except Carpet, Wood, and Hard Tiles earn a median of $56,460 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025), 11% above the $50,980 US median across all occupations. That works out at $27.15/hr. The middle half earn between $45,660 and $73,840. The top 10% earn $96,700 or more.
Do you need a degree to become a Floor Layer, Except Carpet, Wood, and Hard Tiles?
No. BLS lists no formal educational credential as the typical entry requirement for Floor Layers, Except Carpet, Wood, and Hard Tiles, and O*NET rates the preparation needed as little or no preparation. BLS also lists moderate-term on-the-job training as typical on-the-job training. In O*NET's survey of people already doing the job, 89.5% hold high school diploma or the equivalent (such as a ged).
Is Floor Layer, Except Carpet, Wood, and Hard Tiles a growing career?
Yes, strongly. Employment is projected to grow 9.0% over 2025–2035, more than double the 3.5% projected for all occupations (BLS EP, 2025–2035). BLS still projects about 2,200 openings a year, mostly from workers retiring or moving to other work.
What does a Floor Layer, Except Carpet, Wood, and Hard Tiles do?
Flooring installers and tile and stone setters lay and finish carpet, wood, vinyl, and other materials, such as ceramic, glass, marble, and granite. A core O*NET task: cut covering and foundation materials, according to blueprints and sketches. Employers most often ask for Office suite software, Web page creation and editing software.
Which states pay Floor Layers, Except Carpet, Wood, and Hard Tiles the most?
The highest state medians for Floor Layers, Except Carpet, Wood, and Hard Tiles are Alaska ($92,860), Massachusetts ($79,280), Hawaii ($77,280) (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
What personality type suits a Floor Layer, Except Carpet, Wood, and Hard Tiles?
O*NET scores Floor Layers, Except Carpet, Wood, and Hard Tiles highest on the Realistic and Conventional interest areas, so the work mixes hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors with organising, following procedures and working precisely with data. On NueCareer's MBTI-to-interest mapping that lines up most closely with ISTJ personalities. Personality is a fit signal, not a gate. The free NueCareer quiz scores your own profile against all 1,731 careers in the bank.