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

Tile and Stone Setters in Washington earn a median wage of $77,920 per year, which works out to roughly $37.46 per hour based on a standard 2,080-hour work year. That median sits comfortably above what many trades workers see nationally, and it reflects both the high cost of doing business in Washington and the steady demand for skilled finish work across the state's residential and commercial construction sectors.

The bottom quarter of earners — workers at the 25th percentile — bring in around $63,090 annually, or about $30.33 per hour. If you're just finishing your apprenticeship or have only a few years of experience behind you, this is a realistic starting range. It's not a ceiling; it's a baseline. Workers who push past it do so by picking up more complex work: large-format porcelain, natural stone slabs, heated floor systems, and intricate mosaic or custom patterns that slower, less skilled hands won't touch.

The top quarter of tile and stone setters in Washington clears $97,350 per year or more — roughly $46.80 per hour. At that level, you're typically running your own crew, handling high-end remodels or commercial jobs, or working consistently in the Puget Sound metro where project values are among the highest in the country. Seattle, Bellevue, and Kirkland routinely generate upscale residential and hospitality projects that demand precision work and pay for it accordingly.

Geography inside Washington matters. Workers based in the Seattle-Bellevue-Everett metro area typically land toward the upper half of the pay range. Those working in Spokane, Yakima, or smaller eastern Washington markets may see wages closer to the 25th or median percentile, simply because local project values and contractor competition are different. If you're willing to travel — working on hotel builds, hospital renovations, or large retail centers across the state — you can often access higher-paying work regardless of your home base.

Experience, specialization, and efficiency all push pay up. A setter who can work with gauged porcelain tile panels, set large marble slabs with tight joints, or handle underwater tile work in commercial pools commands more per hour than someone doing standard 12x12 ceramic floor installations. Contractors who take on design-build or value-added services also see stronger margins, some of which pass through to their skilled workers.

No union scale data is currently available for Tile and Stone Setters in Washington through BLS OEWS. Union membership varies by region — Seattle has more union presence than many parts of the state — and union-affiliated workers may receive different hourly scales, benefits packages, and pension contributions that aren't fully reflected in the wage figures above.

The figures on this page come from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, published May 2025. This is the most comprehensive wage survey available for the trades and covers both union and non-union workers across all employer types. All hourly figures are calculated by dividing the annual figure by 2,080 hours.

If you're comparing job offers, negotiating a raise, or deciding whether to take on an apprentice or journeyworker, these numbers give you a solid anchor. A wage below $30.33/hr in Washington is below the bottom quarter. A wage above $46.80/hr puts you in the top tier. Know where you stand before you sit down at the table.