Tile and Stone Setters
Machines can already do 20% of this job's tasks. By 2035 that rises to 59%. The job changes before it disappears.
Share of the work machines can do
Worldwide baseline, 2026 to 2050
Tile and Stone Setters in 2026: the short answer
- Today: machines can do 20% of this job's tasks, and AI use is already seen in 0% of them.
- Forecast: machines can do half of its tasks by 2034, and 59% by 2035, according to the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit.
- Size: 35,850 people do this job in the United States, on a median pay of $55,690 a year.
- Contact with people: it scores 64% for contact with people.
- Also called: Ceramic Tile Mechanic, Ceramic Tile Setter, Tile and Marble Installer, Tile and Marble Setter.
Updated by the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit. These are worldwide baseline figures; the Workforce Starburst shows them for your country. Go deeper: How ready am I? or an executive briefing.
How the work changes, task by task
The tasks that take up most of the day, with the share of each that machines can do in 2026 (dark) and 2035 (pink). Worldwide baseline.
| Task | Share of the day | Machines can do | 2026 to 2035 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | 13% | 20% to 60% | |
| Cut and shape tile to fit around obstacles and into odd spaces and corners, using hand and power cutting tools | 12% | 20% to 60% | |
| Apply mortar to tile back, position the tile, and press or tap with trowel handle to affix tile to base | 12% | 30% to 75% | |
| Finish and dress the joints and wipe excess grout from between tiles, using damp sponge | 9% | 20% to 60% | |
| Align and straighten tile using levels, squares, and straightedges | 7% | 20% to 60% | |
| Determine and implement the best layout to achieve a desired pattern | 5% | 20% to 60% | |
| Measure and mark surfaces to be tiled, following blueprints | 4% | 20% to 60% | |
| Prepare surfaces for tiling by attaching lath or waterproof paper, or by applying a cement mortar coat to a metal screen | 4% | 3% to 30% |
The skills this job runs on
The skills tile and stone setters use most, most used first.
Safer jobs nearby
Jobs with a similar skill shape where machines can do less of the work by 2035.
- Roofers46% of tasks by 2035 · US median $55,440
- Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters54% of tasks by 2035 · US median $42,360
- Paperhangers55% of tasks by 2035 · US median $52,140
- Carpet Installers54% of tasks by 2035 · US median $50,340
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Questions
When will machines do half of the tasks of Tile and Stone Setters?
Machines can do half of its tasks by 2034. That is the worldwide baseline from the 311 Workforce Starburst, before adjusting for country.
Will AI take the job of tile and stone setters?
Machines can do 20% of the tasks of tile and stone setters today and 59% by 2035. The job changes before it disappears: the routine tasks move first.
Sources and citing
Tasks and their share of the day: O*NET 31.0, occupation 47-2044.00 (US Department of Labor, CC BY 4.0). Pay and jobs: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. AI use today: Anthropic Economic Index (CC BY). Scoring and forecast: the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit; after 2035 the figures extend each trend, with lower confidence. Foresight, not advice.
Cite as: 311 Institute (2026). Tile and Stone Setters: the outlook to 2050. 311 Workforce Starburst. https://www.311institute.com/jobs/tile-and-stone-setters/