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

Tile and Stone Setters in Virginia earn a median wage of $48,880 per year, which works out to roughly $23.50 per hour based on a standard 2,080-hour work year. That's the midpoint — half the tile setters in the state earn more, half earn less. If you're trying to figure out where you stand or what to expect when you enter the trade, these are the numbers to anchor to.

At the 25th percentile, Virginia tile setters take home $38,170 annually, or about $18.35 an hour. Workers at this level are typically newer to the trade, working for smaller contractors, or based in lower-cost labor markets within the state. It's a starting point, not a ceiling — most tile setters don't stay at this pay level once they build a solid installation portfolio and a reputation for quality finish work.

At the 75th percentile, annual pay climbs to $61,910, or approximately $29.76 per hour. Tile setters in this bracket have usually put in years on the tools, can handle complex natural stone, large-format tile, intricate mosaic work, and the full range of setting materials — thin-set, epoxy mortars, grout, and waterproofing membranes. They often work on commercial projects, high-end residential remodels, or run their own crews. The $23-per-hour gap between the 25th and 75th percentile shows that skill and experience translate directly into higher pay in this trade.

Virginia's market for tile and stone work is driven by a mix of residential construction, bathroom and kitchen remodeling, commercial interiors, and hospitality projects. The Northern Virginia market — which pulls from the broader Washington, D.C. metro — tends to push wages toward the higher end of the state range, given the density of custom home builders, upscale renovation contractors, and commercial general contractors operating in that corridor. Other metros like Richmond and Virginia Beach also support steady demand, though rates can vary.

No union scale is currently tracked for tile setters in Virginia on TradesPays. That means the figures here reflect the broader market across union and non-union shops combined. If you're working under a union agreement or negotiating a collective bargaining rate, check directly with your local for the applicable scale — it may sit above or below the BLS medians depending on the region and current contract.

Hourly workers in this trade should also keep overtime in mind. Virginia tile setters who regularly work 45- or 50-hour weeks can add meaningful income above the base annual figures shown here. A setter earning the median $23.50/hr who works 10 hours of overtime each week for 40 weeks adds roughly $7,050 in gross overtime pay on top of the standard annual figure, assuming a 1.5x rate.

Specialization is another pay driver. Setters who are proficient with large-format porcelain slabs (24x48 or larger), thin-tile systems, or radiant heat installations under tile are harder to find and can command rates at or above the 75th percentile. The same goes for setters who understand the full scope of surface preparation — concrete grinding, crack isolation membranes, self-leveling underlayments — since those skills keep callbacks low and keep contractors coming back.

All wage data on this page comes from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2025 release. Figures reflect Virginia-specific data for the Tile and Stone Setters occupation (SOC 47-2044).