Tile and Stone Setters
Official O*NET title: Tile and Stone Setters (47-2044.00)
Also called: ceramic tile mechanic, ceramic tile setter, tile and marble installer, tile and marble setter, tile finisher
Do you do this at work?
Answer each card — it takes about a minute.
Do you do this at work?
Study blueprints and examine surface to be covered to determine amount of material needed
Swipe right for yes, left for not me. On a keyboard: → yes, ← not me, Z undo. +2 XP per answer.
How AI is changing tile and stone setters work
1 of 19 measurable main tasks for this job show up in real AI-use data, so we rate it Green (little AI use yet) — 5%.
This shows where people already use AI, not whether the job will disappear. How we measure this.
Tasks in this job and recorded AI use
- Study blueprints and examine surface to be covered to determine amount of material needed (main task) — some recorded AI use
- Align and straighten tile using levels, squares, and straightedges (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Finish and dress the joints and wipe excess grout from between tiles, using damp sponge (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Cut and shape tile to fit around obstacles and into odd spaces and corners, using hand and power cutting tools (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Determine and put in place the best layout to achieve a desired pattern (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Mix, apply, and spread plaster, concrete, mortar, cement, mastic, glue or other adhesives to form a bed for the tiles, using brush, trowel and screed (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Measure and mark surfaces to be tiled, following blueprints (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Lay and set mosaic tiles to create decorative wall, mural, and floor designs (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Apply mortar to tile back, position the tile, and press or tap with trowel handle to affix tile to base (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Mix and apply mortar or cement to edges and ends of drain tiles to seal halves and joints (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Apply a sealer to make grout stain- and water-resistant (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Level concrete and allow to dry (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Measure and cut metal lath to size for walls and ceilings, using tin snips (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Install and anchor fixtures in designated positions, using hand tools (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Prepare surfaces for tiling by attaching lath or waterproof paper, or by applying a cement mortar coat to a metal screen (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Remove and replace cracked or damaged tile (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Cut tile backing to required size, using shears (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Remove any old tile, grout and adhesive using chisels and scrapers and clean the surface carefully (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Cut, surface, polish, and install marble and granite or install pre-cast terrazzo, granite or marble units (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Spread mastic or other adhesive base on roof deck to form base for promenade tile, using serrated spreader — no recorded AI use
- Assist customers in selection of tile and grout — no recorded AI use
- Prepare cost and labor estimates, based on calculations of time and materials needed for project — no recorded AI use
- Brush glue onto manila paper on which design has been drawn and position tiles, finished side down, onto paper — no recorded AI use
- Select and order tile and other items to be installed — no recorded AI use
- Build underbeds and install anchor bolts, wires, and brackets — no recorded AI use
Tasks: O*NET 31.0. AI use: Anthropic Economic Index (exact or close text match).
Your first steps (guidance)
- Week 1: Open a free AI assistant and say hello. Follow our “Getting started with AI” guide. Ask it one simple question about your work.
- Week 2: Use AI on one task you do often. Try the prompt for: “Study blueprints and examine surface to be covered to determine amount of material needed”. Try the prompt for: “Prepare surfaces for tiling by attaching lath or waterproof paper, or by applying a cement mortar coat to a metal screen”.
Tick your own tasks above to get a plan based on what you really do. The first 2 weeks are free; Premium (coming soon) adds weeks 3–12. New to AI? Read our beginner’s guide.
Questions about AI and tile and stone setters
Will AI replace tile and stone setters?
Our data can’t predict job losses, and we don’t try to. What it does show: 1 of the 19 main tasks for this job match tasks people already use AI for (Anthropic Economic Index), giving a Green rating (little AI use yet). Using AI on a task is not the same as AI doing the whole job, and 24 of the 25 listed tasks show no recorded AI use yet.
Which tile and stone setter tasks is AI used for most?
In the data, the most AI use among this job’s tasks is for: study blueprints and examine surface to be covered to determine amount of material needed.
Which tile and stone setter tasks show little or no AI use?
For example: align and straighten tile using levels, squares, and straightedges; finish and dress the joints and wipe excess grout from between tiles, using damp sponge; cut and shape tile to fit around obstacles and into odd spaces and corners, using hand and power cutting tools. These are good places to keep building your own skills.
How does this job compare to others?
In Microsoft Research’s “Working with AI” study, this job’s AI applicability score is equal to or higher than 21% of the occupations they scored. That measures overlap with AI chat use, not risk of job loss.
How can a tile and stone setter start learning AI?
Start small: open a free AI assistant, try it on one task you do often, and always check facts and numbers yourself. The plan on this page is guidance, not professional advice.
See how this job ranks
Tile and Stone Setters ranks #556 of 572 jobs for the share of main tasks with AI use (#1 = most), and #36 of 44 in Trades & Repair. It’s in our top 50 jobs AI is least likely to replace.