How Much Do Tile Installers Make? (Per Square Foot, Per Day, Per Year)
6 min read·Updated June 2026
The short answer
Employed tile setters commonly earn $25 to $50 an hour. Self-employed installers billing $7 to $25 per square foot often reach an effective $50 to $100+ per hour once they are fast, which puts a full-time independent setter in the $50,000 to $100,000+ range.
Speed and complexity drive income
Because tile is priced by the square foot and the job, getting faster directly raises your effective hourly. The highest earners also take on the complex, high-margin work (showers, large format, intricate patterns) that less-skilled installers cannot.
Per year
- Employed: roughly $50,000 to $75,000.
- Self-employed, skilled: $75,000 to $100,000 and up.
How tile installers earn more
- Go self-employed and bill per square foot and per job.
- Specialize in showers, large format, and intricate patterns.
- Build relationships with contractors and remodelers for steady work.
- Charge separately for prep, waterproofing, and demo.
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