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Tile fitter

Also called tiler, tilefitter, tilesetter

Tile fitters install tiles onto walls and floors. They cut tiles to the right size and shape, prepare the surface, and put the tiles in place flush and straight. Tile fitters may also take on creative and artistic projects, with some laying mosaics.

Will there be jobs?Yes, good prospectsShortage in 15 countries now. 18 jobs to fill by 2035 for every 100 people doing this work today.Building and related trades workers (excluding electricians)What does it pay?About averageFrom about €1,000 (Bulgaria) to €5,500 (Denmark) a month, depending on the country.Estimate · Building and related trades workers (excluding electricians)What do I need to study?Upper secondary or vocational6 in 10 finished upper secondary or vocational training.Building and related trades workers (excluding electricians)Will AI change it?Very littleLevel 1 of 6. AI could help with only small parts of the tasks.Floor layers and tile setters · ILO

What you'd do

Floor layers and tile setters · ILO
  • Preparing floor areas for covering with a variety of materials
  • Assembling carpet, tiles or other materials and laying them on floors according to design and other specifications
  • Preparing wall areas for covering with tiles or other materials for decorative or other purposes such as acoustic insulation
  • Setting tiles and constructing and laying mosaic panels to walls, floors and other surfaces
Use measurement instrumentsTransport construction suppliesInspect construction suppliesUse safety equipment in constructionFollow health and safety procedures in construction+ 10 more essential skills
What the work is like
  • Indoors
  • A mix of sitting and standing
  • Constant contact with people
  • Good freedom to decide
  • Usually under 40 hours a week
  • Deadlines now and then
  • Varied tasks, little repetition
US data: based on the O*NET profile of the US job "Floor Layers, Except Carpet, Wood, and Hard Tiles"

Will there be jobs?

Yes, good prospects

15 EU countries are short of floor layers and tile setters now, but fewer jobs than in most work will need filling by 2035.

People working as building and related trades workers (excluding electricians) in the EU
7.48m8.08m7.63m 201520232035

Solid: measured. Dashed: forecast.

Jobs to fill, 2026–2035
1,849,000 replacing leavers 394,000 jobs disappear
Jobs to fill per 100 people working now
Building and related trades workers (excluding electricians)18
All jobs29
Right now
15 of 27 countries report a shortage of floor layers and tile setters, 5 a surplus.
Floor layers and tile setters · EURES

What does it pay?

About average

Pay depends a lot on the country: from about €1,000 a month (Bulgaria) to €5,500 (Denmark), before tax.

Pick a country at the top of the page to see typical pay there, for people under 30, and compared with all jobs.

Among craft and related trades workers in the EU, women earn 26% less per hour than men. Craft and related trades workers · Eurostat

What do I need to study?

Upper secondary or vocational

Upper secondary or vocational training is the usual route.

Highest qualification of building and related trades workers (excluding electricians) (EU, 2025)
Degree 7%Vocational 50%General secondary 8%Basic schooling 35%

Pick a country at the top of the page to see where to study and the official course finders.

Will AI change it?

Very little

AI could help with only small parts of the tasks.

How exposed is this job? ILO scale
Very low
Low
Some tasks
Moderate
Significant
High

Average task score 0.10 on a scale from 0 (AI can't do it) to 1 (AI could do it fully).

See the score for each of the 4 tasks
Assembling carpet, tiles or other materials and laying them on floors according to design and other specifications0.12
Setting tiles and constructing and laying mosaic panels to walls, floors and other surfaces0.10
Preparing floor areas for covering with a variety of materials0.10
Preparing wall areas for covering with tiles or other materials for decorative or other purposes such as acoustic insulation0.09

Based on what AI could technically do when assessed in 2025. It is not a forecast for a future year, and not a forecast of job losses. Scores for floor layers and tile setters. Source: ILO (2025), adapted (credits).