How to Become A Floor Installer in California
California employs approximately 4,330 floor installers according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $61,210 1. The state’s concentration of floor installer jobs is 1.56x the national average, indicating strong demand. Nationally, floor installer employment is projected to grow 9.5% from 2024 to 2034, with about 2,700 openings per year 2. This page covers how to become a floor installer in California, including requirements, training programs, and salary data.
Quick Answers About Becoming A Floor Installer in California
How do I become a floor installer in California? California requires credentials such as Flooring and Floor Covering Contractor. The licensing authority is the Department of Consumer Affairs - Contractors State License Board 3. You also need to complete an approved training program or apprenticeship.
How long does it take? Typical requirements include approximately 2 years of experience 3.
Do I need a license in California? Yes. California has licensing or registration requirements for floor installers. The Department of Consumer Affairs - Contractors State License Board oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.
What do floor installers earn in California? The median annual wage for floor installers in California is $61,210 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $42,080 and experienced professionals can earn $120,750 or more 1.
At a Glance
- Training paths: trade school, community college, or apprenticeship
- Typical timeline: 1 to 5 years depending on the path
- Licensing authority: Department of Consumer Affairs - Contractors State License Board
- Median wage (California): $61,210 per year 1
Floor Installer License Requirements in California
The Department of Consumer Affairs - Contractors State License Board oversees floor installer licensing in California 3.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Flooring and Floor Covering Contractor | All contractors/builders must be licensed by the Contractors State License Board in order to perform work in California. |
License information sourced from CareerOneStop 4.
Floor Installer Apprenticeship Information in California
Apprenticeships combine paid on-the-job training with classroom instruction and typically last 3 to 5 years. California’s apprenticeship program is administered by the California Division of Apprenticeship Standards - Registered Apprenticeship 5.
Contact Information:
- Office: California Division of Apprenticeship Standards - Fresno Region
- Phone: (559) 445-5431
- Email: [email protected]
Floor Installer Wages by Metro Area in California
Floor Layers, Except Carpet, Wood, and Hard Tiles Wages by Metro Area in California
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), floor layers, except carpet, wood, and hard tiles wages in California vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim | 1,350 | $59,090 | $69,630 | $45,520 | $102,560 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont | 600 | $74,970 | $78,280 | $44,930 | $121,750 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad | 450 | $56,150 | $62,740 | $39,570 | $102,550 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario | 440 | $56,130 | $64,270 | $38,910 | $115,730 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara | 340 | $105,280 | $95,980 | $51,130 | $125,870 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom | 310 | $63,970 | $71,710 | $42,290 | $103,320 |
| Fresno | 120 | $51,980 | $60,200 | $38,600 | $99,960 |
| Stockton-Lodi | 120 | $69,610 | $74,860 | $45,200 | $107,130 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura | 70 | $48,030 | $55,660 | $41,450 | $77,820 |
| Modesto | 60 | $47,170 | $52,300 | $34,320 | $76,870 |
| Bakersfield-Delano | 50 | $55,690 | $61,670 | $39,360 | $126,390 |
| Vallejo | 40 | $56,020 | $67,390 | $43,700 | $125,870 |
Wages reflect survey data and vary based on experience, credentials, employer, and local market conditions. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025.
Top Metros for Floor installers in California
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest floor installer employment within California according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim | 1,350 | $59,090 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont | 600 | $74,970 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad | 450 | $56,150 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario | 440 | $56,130 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara | 340 | $105,280 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for floor installers in California? California currently employs approximately 4,330 floor installers 1. Nationally, floor installer employment is projected to grow 9.5% from 2024 to 2034 2.
Can I work as a floor installer in California with an out-of-state license? Contact the Department of Consumer Affairs - Contractors State License Board for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in California? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in California. You can also contact the California Division of Apprenticeship Standards - Registered Apprenticeship for apprenticeship opportunities.
How much do floor installers earn in California compared to the national average? The median annual wage for floor installers in California is $61,210, which is $6,870 above the national median of $54,340 according to BLS data 1.
Citations
About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.
References
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Department of Consumer Affairs - Contractors State License Board - Licensing Information: http://www.cslb.ca.gov/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
CareerOneStop - Licensed Occupations: https://www.careeronestop.org/Toolkit/Training/find-licenses.aspx ↩︎
California Division of Apprenticeship Standards - Registered Apprenticeship: https://www.dir.ca.gov/databases/das/aigstart.asp ↩︎
Data sources
Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.
| Data | Provider | Vintage |
|---|---|---|
| Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | May 2025 |
| Employment Projections | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | 2024-2034 |
| Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System | National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS) | 2024 |
| College Scorecard (school-level outcomes) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release |
| College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release (updated 2026-06-12) |
| Occupational licensing requirements | CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2026-02-22) |
| Registered apprenticeship programs | CareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2025-10-25) |
| O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones) | U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.) | O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13) |