How to Become a Tile Setter in Maryland (2026)

Updated September 2, 2026 | TradeCareerPath Editorial Team

Maryland employs about 240 tile setters earning a median $45,670 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Most tile setters train through a trade school program or a registered apprenticeship before entering the field in Maryland.

Compare Tile Setter Schools in Maryland

BOC Score, tuition, graduation rate, and median graduate earnings from federal IPEDS and U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard data. Tuition is the published annual figure for the latest reported year and excludes room, board, books and fees. Earnings are reported across all programs at the school (all majors), not a single trade. Distance is measured from the page's primary location.
#SchoolBOC Score (0–100)Tuition (published, per year)Median grad earnings (all majors)Graduation rateOnlineDistance
149.2$5,154 in-state / $9,935 out-of-state$53,36940%Yes*479 mi
247.6$3,249 in-state / $7,249 out-of-state$49,69831%Yes*284 mi
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Schools closest to the page's primary location are gathered first, then ranked by BOC Score; distance from the page's primary location is shown for reference. The BOC Score is an independent measure of school outcomes (graduation, earnings, net price, retention) expressed as a 0–100 percentile within each school's peer group; higher is better and advertising never affects it. *Online availability refers to coursework; hands-on trade training is completed in person. Read the full methodology.

Maryland employs approximately 240 tile setters according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $45,670 1. 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 Maryland, 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 (Maryland): $45,670 per year 1

Quick Answers About How to Become a Tile Setter in Maryland

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

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 Maryland? The median annual wage for tile setters in Maryland is $45,670 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $33,280 and experienced professionals can earn $75,200 or more 1.

How to Become a Tile Setter in Maryland

  1. Finish high school or earn a GED. Most Maryland 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 Maryland 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 Maryland 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 Maryland

Apprenticeships combine paid on-the-job training with classroom instruction and typically last 3 to 5 years. Maryland’s apprenticeship program is administered by the Maryland Apprenticeship and Training 3.

Contact Information:

  • Office: Maryland Apprenticeship & Training Program, Division of Workforce Development
  • Address: 1100 N. Eutaw Street, Baltimore, MD 21201
  • Phone: (410) 767-2246
  • Email: [email protected]

Tile Setter Wages by Metro Area in Maryland

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

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

Metro AreaEmploymentMedian Annual WageAvg. Annual WageEntry Level
(10th pctile)		Experienced
(90th pctile)
Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington740$71,936$71,935$43,439$107,934
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria700$49,469$53,833$35,655$74,550
Baltimore-Columbia-Towson250$47,810$49,000$37,080$62,230

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 Maryland? Maryland currently employs approximately 240 tile setters 1. Nationally, tile setter employment is projected to grow 10.1% from 2024 to 2034 2.

What training programs are available in Maryland? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for programs in Maryland. You can also contact the Maryland Apprenticeship and Training for apprenticeship opportunities.

How much do tile setters earn in Maryland compared to the national average? The median annual wage for tile setters in Maryland is $45,670, which is $6,570 below the national median of $52,240 according to BLS data 1.

In Maryland

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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. Maryland Apprenticeship and Training: http://www.dllr.state.md.us/employment/approcc/approcclinks.shtml ↩︎

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)