How to become a Tilesetter
Official title: Tilesetters
Also called: Tilesetter, Marble tilesetter, Mosaic tilesetter, Ceramic tilesetter, Apprentice tilesetter, Tilesetters lead hand, Journeyman/woman tilesetter, Tile layer, Tile mason, Tile fitter, Marble layer, Marble mason
Tilesetters cover interior and exterior walls, floors and ceilings with ceramic, marble and quarry tile, mosaics or terrazzo. They are employed by construction companies and masonry contractors, or they may be self-employed. Apprentices are also included in this unit group.
Main tasks
- Prepare, measure and mark surface to be covered
- Build underbeds and install anchor bolts, wires and brackets
- Mix, apply and spread mortar, cement, mastic, glue or other adhesives using hand trowel
- Set tiles in position and apply pressure to affix tiles to base
- Align and straighten tile using levels, squares and straightedges
- Cut and fit tiles around obstacles and openings using hand and power cutting tools
- Pack grout into joints between tiles and remove excess grout
- Install tile strips
How to become one
Completion of secondary school is usually required. Completion of a three- or four-year apprenticeship program or A combination of over three years of work experience in the trade and some high school, college or industry courses in tilesetting is usually required to be eligible for trade certification. Trade certification for tilesetters is compulsory in Quebec and available, but voluntary, in Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, Ontario, Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia. Red Seal endorsement is also available to qualified tilesetters upon successful completion of the interprovincial Red Seal examination.
Ways in
- Apprenticeship: Red Seal trade. Completion of a three- or four-year apprenticeship program or A combination of over three years of work experience in the trade and some high school, college or industry courses in tilesetting is usually required to be eligible for trade certification. Red Seal endorsement is available. Apprenticeships are run by each province and territory.
Pay · Outlook
- Median pay: $67,782 a year The middle half earn $51,870 to $81,900.
- About 10,100 people worked in this job in 2023, and about 11,500 are projected by 2033. (+13.9%)
- Projected labour market to 2033: balance.
Related jobs
Not sure this is for you? Take the 2-minute career quiz
Questions people ask
How do I become a Tilesetter?
Completion of secondary school is usually required. Completion of a three- or four-year apprenticeship program or A combination of over three years of work experience in the trade and some high school, college or industry courses in tilesetting is usually required to be eligible for trade certification. Trade certification for tilesetters is compulsory in Quebec and available, but voluntary, in Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, Ontario, Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia. Red Seal endorsement is also available to qualified tilesetters upon successful completion of the interprovincial Red Seal examination.
How much does a Tilesetter earn in Canada?
Median full-time pay is $67,782 a year (Employment and Social Development Canada (Job Bank)). The middle half earn $51,870 to $81,900.
Is a Tilesetter a growing career in Canada?
Yes. Employment is projected to grow 14% by 2033, from about 10,100 to about 11,500 people (Employment and Social Development Canada).
Do you need a degree to become a Tilesetter?
Usually not. Only 7% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Ways in include: Red Seal trade.
Sources
- Statistics Canada: Census 2021: employment by occupation, gender and education (98-10-0449) (2021 Census), Statistics Canada Open Licence, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Statistics Canada: National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021 (Version 1.0), Open Government Licence - Canada, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Employment and Social Development Canada: Canadian Occupational Projection System (COPS) (2024 to 2033), Open Government Licence - Canada, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Employment and Social Development Canada (Job Bank): Wages by occupation (2025 (revised 2025-11-19)), Open Government Licence - Canada, retrieved 2026-10-03
Updated 2026-10-03