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🪣 Trade Spotlight: Flooring Installers & Tile Setters in the Pacific Northwest

“Where Every Step Counts.”

Flooring installers and tile setters don’t just finish the job — they define how a space feels.
From hardwood floors and marble tile to carpet and vinyl, their work ties everything together.
It’s detailed, physical, and creative — perfect for people who take pride in craftsmanship and seeing instant results.

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What Do Flooring Installers and Tile Setters Do?

These tradespeople measure, cut, and install flooring materials like carpet, hardwood, laminate, tile, or stone.
They prepare surfaces, lay materials, and create finishes that are both durable and beautiful.

Their work includes:

  • Removing old flooring and prepping surfaces

  • Measuring and cutting materials to fit layouts

  • Installing underlayment, adhesives, and trim

  • Laying and spacing tile, grout, and sealants

  • Using specialized tools for precision cuts and finishes

Some specialize in residential flooring, while others focus on commercial tile or marble work for large projects like hospitals, schools, or office buildings.

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Work Environment

Flooring and tile installation is hands-on, physical work that involves bending, kneeling, and standing for long periods.
Most work is indoors, but depending on the project, installers may travel between job sites or work evenings and weekends to meet deadlines.

Attention to detail is everything in this trade — one wrong cut or uneven surface can throw off an entire room.
If you’ve got patience, precision, and a good eye for design, this work is both challenging and rewarding.

How to Become a Flooring Installer or Tile Setter

Most flooring professionals learn through on-the-job training or apprenticeship programs.
You can start as a helper, learning basic skills like surface prep and material handling before moving on to advanced installation.

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Training Covers:

  • Reading blueprints and layout plans

  • Measuring, cutting, and fitting techniques

  • Proper use of adhesives and finishes

  • Safety and material handling

  • Tile cutting, grouting, and sealing

A high school diploma or GED is recommended, and some employers prefer workers who’ve completed formal apprenticeships or trade school programs.

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Pay in the Pacific Northwest (2025)

StateAverage Pay (2025)Range

Washington~$60,000/yr (~$29/hr)$42K – $80K+

Oregon~$58,000/yr (~$28/hr)$40K – $78K+

Idaho~$52,000/yr (~$25/hr)$36K – $68K

💰 Tile and marble setters, and union flooring installers, often earn higher wages — especially on large-scale commercial or high-end residential projects.

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Job Outlook

Flooring and tile installation is growing much faster than average.
Nationally, jobs are projected to grow 18% (2024–2034), with Oregon expecting a 24% increase — one of the fastest-growing trades in the region.

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Key Growth Drivers:

  1. New housing and commercial construction

  2. Remodeling and renovation demand

  3. Rising popularity of eco-friendly and luxury flooring materials

  4. Skilled worker shortages as older installers retire

If you’re reliable, have a good work ethic, and like seeing a job go from raw concrete to finished beauty — this trade is wide open with opportunity.

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Real Talk for the PNW

Flooring work isn’t easy — you’ll be on your knees, on your feet, and constantly moving.
But the payoff is huge. You get to create the literal foundation of a finished space, and people see your craftsmanship every single day.

Whether it’s hardwood, carpet, or tile — this is work that combines strength, precision, and creativity.

 

Learn More

Explore apprenticeship programs and training opportunities near you:

💬 Ready to Build Something Solid?

If you like working with your hands, have an eye for patterns, and take pride in precision — flooring might be your trade.
You’ll never look at a finished floor the same way again.

👉 Learn more about skilled trade careers? Please email us here!

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