How to Become a Tile Setter in Hawaii (2026)

Hawaii employs about 440 tile setters earning a median $79,270 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Most tile setters train through a trade school program or a registered apprenticeship before entering the field in Hawaii.

Hawaii employs approximately 440 tile setters according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $79,270 1. The state’s concentration of tile setter jobs is 3.05x the national average, indicating strong demand. Nationally, tile setter employment is projected to grow 10.1% from 2024 to 2034, with about 4,200 openings per year 2. This page covers how to become a Tile Setter in Hawaii, including requirements, training programs, and salary data.

At a Glance

  • Training paths: trade school, community college, or apprenticeship
  • Typical timeline: 1 to 5 years depending on the path
  • Median wage (Hawaii): $79,270 per year 1

Quick Answers About How to Become a Tile Setter in Hawaii

How to become a Tile Setter in Hawaii? Complete a training program or apprenticeship, gain work experience, and meet any state or employer requirements for tile setters in Hawaii.

How long does it take? Most paths into the tile setter field take 1 to 5 years, depending on whether you complete a trade school program, a registered apprenticeship, or a combination of both.

What do tile setters earn in Hawaii? The median annual wage for tile setters in Hawaii is $79,270 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $43,980 and experienced professionals can earn $114,300 or more 1.

How to Become a Tile Setter in Hawaii

  1. Finish high school or earn a GED. Most Hawaii training programs and registered apprenticeships require a high school diploma or GED to enroll.
  2. Complete a training program or apprenticeship. Enroll in an approved trade school program or a registered apprenticeship in Hawaii that combines classroom instruction with supervised hands-on hours.
  3. Gain supervised work experience. Build documented on-the-job hours under a qualified supervisor; confirm the exact total currently required with the licensing board.
  4. Meet state and employer requirements. Confirm any registration, certification, or employer requirements that apply to tile setters in Hawaii before you start working.

Steps and hour totals vary by credential level; confirm current requirements with the state board before you apply.

Tile Setter Apprenticeship Information in Hawaii

Apprenticeships combine paid on-the-job training with classroom instruction and typically last 3 to 5 years. Hawaii’s apprenticeship program is administered by the Hawaii Workforce Development Division - Apprenticeships 3.

Contact Information:

  • Office: Hawaii Workforce Development Division
  • Address: 830 Punchbowl Street, Honolulu, HI 96813
  • Phone: (808) 586-8877
  • Email: [email protected]

Tile Setter Wages by Metro Area in Hawaii

Floor Layers, Except Carpet, Wood, and Hard Tiles Wages by Metro Area in Hawaii

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), floor layers, except carpet, wood, and hard tiles wages in Hawaii vary by metro area.

Metro AreaEmploymentMedian Annual WageAvg. Annual WageEntry Level
(10th pctile)
Experienced
(90th pctile)
Urban Honolulu440$83,588$88,092$43,938$142,423
Kahului-Wailuku80$64,330$69,000$47,120$98,690

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 .

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the job outlook for tile setters in Hawaii? Hawaii currently employs approximately 440 tile setters 1. Nationally, tile setter employment is projected to grow 10.1% from 2024 to 2034 2.

What training programs are available in Hawaii? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for programs in Hawaii. You can also contact the Hawaii Workforce Development Division - Apprenticeships for apprenticeship opportunities.

How much do tile setters earn in Hawaii compared to the national average? The median annual wage for tile setters in Hawaii is $79,270, which is $27,030 above the national median of $52,240 according to BLS data 1.

In Hawaii

Explore More Trades in Hawaii

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


  1. Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎

  2. Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎

  3. Hawaii Workforce Development Division - Apprenticeships: http://labor.hawaii.gov/wdd/home/employers/apprenticeship/ ↩︎

Data sources

Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.

DataProviderVintage
Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)U.S. Bureau of Labor StatisticsMay 2025
Employment ProjectionsU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics2024-2034
Integrated Postsecondary Education Data SystemNational Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS)2024
College Scorecard (school-level outcomes)U.S. Department of Educationlatest release
College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings)U.S. Department of Educationlatest release (updated 2026-06-12)
Occupational licensing requirementsCareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor)latest release (updated 2026-02-22)
Registered apprenticeship programsCareerOneStop / 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)