Tile and stone setters
SOC Code: 47-2044
Tile and stone setters carries a 23% AI exposure score (Medium automation risk), with a median annual wage of $52,240 and +10.1% projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034 (BLS), affecting approximately 52,600 workers. Full task breakdown, skills, and employer data are below.
Proportion of tasks susceptible to AI automation (O*NET analysis)
At 23% AI exposure, Tile and stone setters sits 14 points below the 37.2% average across 832 U.S. occupations - more exposed than 11% of them. It ranks among the more AI-resilient roles in the dataset.
Where Tile and stone setters sits among all occupations
AI-exposure score distribution across 832 U.S. occupations (O*NET task analysis). This occupation is marked in rose.
Tile and stone setters has ai exposure of 23%. Distribution: 1 occupations at 0-10%; 43 occupations at 10-20%; 184 occupations at 20-30%; 332 occupations at 30-40%; 158 occupations at 40-50%; 64 occupations at 50-60%; 29 occupations at 60-70%; 15 occupations at 70-80%; 5 occupations at 80-90%; 1 occupations at 90-100%.
Source: O*NET task data (U.S. Department of Labor); AI-exposure scores are PlainWorkforce's analysis. As of BLS 2024–2034.
Tile and stone setters vs. its occupational neighbors
AI exposure (horizontal) vs projected 2024–2034 growth (vertical) for occupations in the same SOC group. Tile and stone setters is marked in rose; the top-left corner is the most future-proof.
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034 (growth) and O*NET (AI-exposure analysis by PlainWorkforce).
Employment Projections
Occupation Insight
Tile and stone setters (SOC 47-2044) carries an AI exposure score of 23%, placing it in the Medium automation-risk tier. This score is computed from O*NET Database 30.0 task-level analysis, where each task an occupation performs is evaluated against current generative AI, robotic process automation, and machine-learning capabilities. A score below 40% reflects tasks anchored in physical dexterity, unstructured environments, or high-touch human interaction that current AI cannot reliably replicate.
The economic context matters alongside the risk score. BLS counted approximately 52,600 workers in this occupation in 2024, and projects a +10.1% change through 2034 - a strong growth outlook that compensates meaningfully for automation risk. Median annual compensation stands at $52,240, reflecting both skill scarcity and the value employers place on the tasks that remain difficult to automate. Entry typically requires No formal educational credential, plus None of related experience.
For career planners, this profile should be read alongside the task, skill, and knowledge breakdowns below and the list of employers whose workforce composition includes Tile and stone setters. Adjacent occupations shown further down offer lateral moves that preserve industry knowledge while potentially reducing exposure. Pair the AI exposure score with the BLS employment projection and wage percentiles above for a complete career assessment.
Education & Entry Requirements
Top Tasks (O*NET)
- 1. Align and straighten tile using levels, squares, and straightedges.
- 2. Finish and dress the joints and wipe excess grout from between tiles, using damp sponge.
- 3. Cut and shape tile to fit around obstacles and into odd spaces and corners, using hand and power cutting tools.
- 4. Determine and implement the best layout to achieve a desired pattern.
- 5. 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.
- 6. Study blueprints and examine surface to be covered to determine amount of material needed.
- 7. Measure and mark surfaces to be tiled, following blueprints.
- 8. Lay and set mosaic tiles to create decorative wall, mural, and floor designs.
- 9. Apply mortar to tile back, position the tile, and press or tap with trowel handle to affix tile to base.
- 10. Mix and apply mortar or cement to edges and ends of drain tiles to seal halves and joints.
Key Skills Required
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Mathematics
- Critical Thinking
- Coordination
- Complex Problem Solving
- Time Management
- Reading Comprehension
- Monitoring
- Judgment and Decision Making
Knowledge Areas
- Building and Construction
- Mathematics
- Customer and Personal Service
- Design
- Administration and Management
- Mechanical
- English Language
- Education and Training
- Economics and Accounting
- Production and Processing
Frequently Asked Questions
Will AI replace Tile and stone setters?
Tile and stone setters has an AI exposure score of 23%, indicating a medium level of automation risk. The majority of tasks in this role require human judgment, creativity, or physical presence that AI cannot easily replicate.
What is the job outlook for Tile and stone setters?
According to BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034, Tile and stone setters is projected to grow by 10.1% over the decade. Current employment stands at approximately 52,600 workers.
What skills are needed for Tile and stone setters?
Key skills for Tile and stone setters include Active Listening, Speaking, Mathematics, and others. Typical entry-level education is No formal educational credential.
How much do Tile and stone setters earn?
The median annual wage for Tile and stone setters is $52,240, according to BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2024). Actual earnings vary by location, experience, industry, and employer. The BLS publishes detailed wage percentiles by region in its Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program.
What education is required for Tile and stone setters?
The typical entry-level education for Tile and stone setters is No formal educational credential. Employers generally expect None of related work experience. On-the-job training typically involves Long-term on-the-job training. Requirements can vary by employer and specialization.
Which companies employ Tile and stone setters?
Tile and stone setters roles exist across many industries and employers. Workforce composition is estimated from BLS industry-occupation employment distributions matched to SEC-registered public companies.
AI Exposure Rating
Medium automation risk based on 10 analyzed tasks. Most tasks require human judgment and are resistant to automation.
Related Occupations
Career Guides
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Data sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections 2024–2034 and O*NET Database 30.0. Employment figures are rounded. Wage data from BLS Occupational Employment Statistics (OES).