Physical Nature of the Job
Installing hard tiles is physically demanding work. It requires hours of heavy lifting, bending, kneeling and reaching. Installers should wear knee-pads to help prevent injuries. The adhesives used to install tiles can be messy and may produce toxic or unpleasant-smelling fumes, and tile cutters and other tools can produce injuries if not used carefully. On-the-job injury rates for tile contractors are higher than the national average for all careers. The Associated General Contractors of America (AGCA) offers a safety-training course to help contractors learn to work more safely.
Tile Contractor Job Duties
Surface Preparation
To make sure tiles are installed and spaced consistently, tile contractors make detailed measurements and use spacers, as well as other tools. Tile contractors may create blueprints or lay out tiles on a dry surface to prepare decorative mosaics or patterns. Installers use electric or mechanical tools to cut tiles to go around toilet bowls, pipes and other fixtures.
Tiles contractors lay tiles on a flat, clean and level surface. Tile contractors will sometimes install new drywall, tile backer board or another material to a wall, ceiling or floor to be tiled. Concrete floors and other uneven surfaces may need to be leveled with mortar.
Grouting, Sealing and Other Job Duties
Once the tiles have been set, tile contractors apply grout between them and wipe away the excess grout with damp sponges. They apply a pre-seal to unglazed tiles prior to grouting. After the grout sets, tile contractors sometimes apply a final sealing agent. Other job duties for tile contractors may include reading blueprints, polishing and finishing tiles, mixing adhesives and creating decorative mosaics.
Employment Outlook and Salary Information
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) in 2013, tile and marble setters earned an annual average salary of $43,010. Local and federal jobs during that time paid the top salaries for these workers, the BLS said. Employment for these professionals was projected to increase by 15%, from 2012-2022, per the BLS.