How much do tile & stone setters make in Indiana in 2026?

Tile and stone setters in Indiana earn a median of $48,450 per year, which works out to roughly $23.29 per hour based on a standard 2,080-hour work year. That number sits in the middle of the range — a quarter of workers in the state earn below $42,940 (~$20.64/hr), and a quarter earn above $57,540 (~$27.66/hr). All figures come from BLS OEWS data collected in May 2025.

The spread between the 25th and 75th percentile is about $14,600 a year — nearly $7 an hour. That gap is real and it reflects genuine differences in skill level, specialization, years of experience, and the type of work a setter takes on. A journeyman who can handle large-format porcelain, natural stone, and complex patterns is going to command more than someone who mainly installs standard floor tile in new residential builds.

Entry-level setters or those earlier in their careers typically land closer to the 25th percentile at $42,940/yr ($20.64/hr). At this stage, most workers are building speed and precision, learning how to read substrates, manage mortar and thinset consistency, and cut tile cleanly. This is also where a lot of residential work is concentrated — bathrooms, kitchens, mudrooms — jobs that pay decently but don't always carry the premium of commercial or specialty work.

The median earner at $48,450/yr ($23.29/hr) is generally a solid all-around setter with several years on the job. They can handle both floor and wall installations, work from plans, and troubleshoot moisture and substrate problems that would trip up a newer worker. In Indiana's market, this tier includes a mix of residential remodelers and commercial subcontractors doing retail, office, and light industrial tile work.

At the 75th percentile — $57,540/yr (~$27.66/hr) — you're typically looking at experienced setters who specialize. Natural stone work (marble, granite, travertine, slate) demands more precise cuts and careful sealing knowledge than ceramic or basic porcelain. Large-format tile installation, which has become far more common in commercial and upscale residential projects, requires specific tools, a flatter substrate, and a higher skill floor. Decorative mosaic work, custom shower surrounds with steam systems, and exterior tile and stone applications for facades or patios also tend to push pay upward because fewer workers can do them reliably.

Geography inside Indiana matters too. The Indianapolis metro area — Marion County and surrounding counties — has the densest concentration of commercial construction and higher-end residential remodels, and wages there tend to run closer to or above the state median. Smaller markets in northern or southern Indiana may track closer to the lower end of the range, depending on local demand.

No union scale data is available for tile and stone setters in Indiana at this time. Many setters in the state work through non-union tile subcontractors or as independent craftspeople, which means wages are set by negotiation and market rate rather than a published schedule. That makes it especially important to know where the BLS data puts the percentiles so you can benchmark your own rate accurately.

Hours and project type also shape annual earnings in a way that straight hourly rates don't fully capture. Tile work can be seasonal — commercial projects tend to have more consistent year-round schedules, while residential remodel work may slow in winter. Setters who can shift between both sectors and pick up steady work keep their annual hours close to 2,080. Those who rely heavily on one segment, especially outdoor or new residential construction, may see lower annual totals even if their hourly rate is competitive.

If you're evaluating a job offer, negotiating a raise, or figuring out whether to take on a new specialty, the three numbers that matter most are $42,940, $48,450, and $57,540. Know where you fall and why, and you'll be in a much better position to have that conversation.