Tile setter salary in Wisconsin
Median $30.14 an hour for 410 tile setters, May 2025, with the union scale by county, the job trend since 1999 and the state's own outlook.
Tile setter pay in Wisconsin: the full range
Wisconsin ranks 9th of 47 states for median tile setter pay, and 9th once adjusted for cost of living (the cost-of-living-adjusted median is $32.03). 410 tile setters work in the state. The top 10% earn 1.8× what the bottom 10% earn.
| Career stage (approximate) | Hourly | Annual | Where it sits in the distribution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apprentice / entry level | $23.34 – $27.44 | $48,540 – $57,070 | roughly the 10th to 25th percentile |
| Journeyman | $27.44 – $36.42 | $57,070 – $75,760 | the middle half, around the median |
| Master, foreman or specialist | $36.42 – $41.17 | $75,760 – $85,620 | the 75th to 90th percentile and above |
Where does your pay fall?
Tile setter pay by metro in Wisconsin
| Metro | 10th | Median $/hr | Cost-of-living adjusted | 90th | Jobs | vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis | $28.53 | $34.50 | $32.92 | $39.18 | 450 | 14% above |
| Madison | $25.13 | $31.22 | $32.09 | $41.69 | 50 | 4% above |
| Milwaukee | $25.13 | $30.85 | $31.84 | $41.17 | 120 | 2% above |
| Green Bay | $22.13 | $29.71 | $31.91 | $39.69 | 40 | 1% below |
Cost-of-living adjusted: median divided by the BEA regional price parity for the metro (2024, US = 100).
Tile setter wages in Wisconsin over time
Table
| Year | Wisconsin $/hr | In 2025 $ | US $/hr | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | $18.33 | $35.42 | $17.08 | 320 |
| 2000 | $16.28 | $30.44 | $16.49 | 500 |
| 2001 | $18.60 | $33.81 | $17.02 | 360 |
| 2002 | $21.43 | $38.35 | $17.20 | 320 |
| 2003 | $18.41 | $32.21 | $17.12 | 450 |
| 2004 | $20.24 | $34.50 | $17.02 | 510 |
| 2005 | $22.38 | $36.89 | $17.56 | 610 |
| 2006 | $23.28 | $37.18 | $17.59 | 700 |
| 2007 | $23.45 | $36.41 | $18.61 | 670 |
| 2008 | $22.55 | $33.72 | $18.85 | 550 |
| 2009 | $20.00 | $30.01 | $18.83 | 410 |
| 2010 | $19.27 | $28.45 | $18.32 | 450 |
| 2011 | $19.02 | $27.22 | $17.83 | 410 |
| 2012 | $21.03 | $29.49 | $17.81 | 490 |
| 2013 | $24.95 | $34.48 | $18.06 | 450 |
| 2014 | $26.53 | $36.08 | $18.74 | 410 |
| 2015 | $23.26 | $31.59 | $18.94 | 320 |
| 2016 | $22.09 | $29.63 | $19.45 | 420 |
| 2017 | $21.97 | $28.86 | $20.04 | 520 |
| 2018 | $21.07 | $27.01 | $20.12 | 510 |
| 2019 | $20.46 | $25.76 | $20.70 | 500 |
| 2020 | $18.43 | $22.93 | $21.26 | 360 |
| 2021 | $22.58 | $26.83 | $22.99 | 420 |
| 2022 | $19.08 | $20.99 | $23.24 | 570 |
| 2023 | $24.39 | $25.77 | $23.52 | 440 |
| 2024 | $28.29 | $29.03 | $25.11 | 590 |
| 2025 | $30.14 | $30.14 | $26.77 | 410 |
In today's dollars, the median tile setter wage in Wisconsin changed by -4.6% over the last ten years of data and by +17.0% since 2019.
Are there more tile setter jobs in Wisconsin?
BLS counted 410 tile setters in Wisconsin in May 2025, an estimate with a relative standard error of 17%. With fewer than 3,000 jobs or a wide margin of error, year-to-year changes are within the survey's noise and are not shown as a trend.
Outlook for tile setters in Wisconsin
Wisconsin's labor market agency projects the number of tile setters in the state to change by +12.3% between 2024 and 2034, from 750 to 840, with about 60 openings a year. Nationally, BLS projects +9.8% over 2025-35. State counts include the self-employed, so the base is larger than the 410 counted by the BLS employer survey.
Source: Wisconsin labor market information agency via Projections Central, 2024–2034 long-term projections (state projections page).
Union scale and prevailing wage for tile setters in Wisconsin
On federally funded construction in Wisconsin, contractors must pay tile setters at least the Davis-Bacon rate for the county. 58 of the 72 counties with a Building rate use a union contract rate (typical package $68.09 an hour including fringe); the rest use a survey rate (typical $22.16). 14 of the 72 counties still use a survey rate dated 2002 or earlier (for example Brown County at $22.14). The market median for the state is $30.14.
| County | Rate source | Base | Fringe | Total | Determination |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adams | Union BRWI0004-003 2025-06-01 | $39.19 | $28.90 | $68.09 | WI20260011 |
| Ashland | Union BRWI0004-003 2025-06-01 | $39.19 | $28.90 | $68.09 | WI20260011 |
| Barron | Union BRWI0004-003 2025-06-01 | $39.19 | $28.90 | $68.09 | WI20260011 |
| Bayfield | Union BRWI0004-003 2025-06-01 | $39.19 | $28.90 | $68.09 | WI20260011 |
| Buffalo | Union BRWI0004-003 2025-06-01 | $39.19 | $28.90 | $68.09 | WI20260011 |
| Burnett | Union BRWI0004-003 2025-06-01 | $39.19 | $28.90 | $68.09 | WI20260011 |
| Clark | Union BRWI0004-003 2025-06-01 | $39.19 | $28.90 | $68.09 | WI20260011 |
| Columbia | Union BRWI0004-003 2025-06-01 | $39.19 | $28.90 | $68.09 | WI20260011 |
| Crawford | Union BRWI0004-003 2025-06-01 | $39.19 | $28.90 | $68.09 | WI20260011 |
| Dodge | Union BRWI0004-003 2025-06-01 | $39.19 | $28.90 | $68.09 | WI20260011 |
| Door | Union BRWI0004-003 2025-06-01 | $39.19 | $28.90 | $68.09 | WI20260011 |
| Dunn | Union BRWI0004-003 2025-06-01 | $39.19 | $28.90 | $68.09 | WI20260011 |
| Florence | Union BRWI0004-003 2025-06-01 | $39.19 | $28.90 | $68.09 | WI20260011 |
| Fond du Lac | Union BRWI0004-003 2025-06-01 | $39.19 | $28.90 | $68.09 | WI20260011 |
| Forest | Union BRWI0004-003 2025-06-01 | $39.19 | $28.90 | $68.09 | WI20260011 |
| Grant | Union BRWI0004-003 2025-06-01 | $39.19 | $28.90 | $68.09 | WI20260011 |
| Green | Union BRWI0004-003 2025-06-01 | $39.19 | $28.90 | $68.09 | WI20260011 |
| Green Lake | Union BRWI0004-003 2025-06-01 | $39.19 | $28.90 | $68.09 | WI20260011 |
| Iowa | Union BRWI0004-003 2025-06-01 | $39.19 | $28.90 | $68.09 | WI20260011 |
| Iron | Union BRWI0004-003 2025-06-01 | $39.19 | $28.90 | $68.09 | WI20260011 |
| Jackson | Union BRWI0004-003 2025-06-01 | $39.19 | $28.90 | $68.09 | WI20260011 |
| Jefferson | Union BRWI0004-003 2025-06-01 | $39.19 | $28.90 | $68.09 | WI20260011 |
| Juneau | Union BRWI0004-003 2025-06-01 | $39.19 | $28.90 | $68.09 | WI20260011 |
| Kenosha | Union BRWI0004-001 2025-06-01 | $39.19 | $28.90 | $68.09 | WI20260004 |
| Kewaunee | Union BRWI0004-003 2025-06-01 | $39.19 | $28.90 | $68.09 | WI20260011 |
| Lafayette | Union BRWI0004-003 2025-06-01 | $39.19 | $28.90 | $68.09 | WI20260011 |
| Langlade | Union BRWI0004-003 2025-06-01 | $39.19 | $28.90 | $68.09 | WI20260011 |
| Lincoln | Union BRWI0004-003 2025-06-01 | $39.19 | $28.90 | $68.09 | WI20260011 |
| Manitowoc | Union BRWI0004-003 2025-06-01 | $39.19 | $28.90 | $68.09 | WI20260011 |
| Marinette | Union BRWI0004-003 2025-06-01 | $39.19 | $28.90 | $68.09 | WI20260011 |
| Marquette | Union BRWI0004-003 2025-06-01 | $39.19 | $28.90 | $68.09 | WI20260011 |
| Menominee | Union BRWI0004-003 2025-06-01 | $39.19 | $28.90 | $68.09 | WI20260011 |
| Monroe | Union BRWI0004-003 2025-06-01 | $39.19 | $28.90 | $68.09 | WI20260011 |
| Oconto | Union BRWI0004-003 2025-06-01 | $39.19 | $28.90 | $68.09 | WI20260011 |
| Oneida | Union BRWI0004-003 2025-06-01 | $39.19 | $28.90 | $68.09 | WI20260011 |
| Pepin | Union BRWI0004-003 2025-06-01 | $39.19 | $28.90 | $68.09 | WI20260011 |
| Polk | Union BRWI0004-003 2025-06-01 | $39.19 | $28.90 | $68.09 | WI20260011 |
| Portage | Union BRWI0004-003 2025-06-01 | $39.19 | $28.90 | $68.09 | WI20260011 |
| Price | Union BRWI0004-003 2025-06-01 | $39.19 | $28.90 | $68.09 | WI20260011 |
| Racine | Union BRWI0004-001 2025-06-01 | $39.19 | $28.90 | $68.09 | WI20260009 |
| Richland | Union BRWI0004-003 2025-06-01 | $39.19 | $28.90 | $68.09 | WI20260011 |
| Rusk | Union BRWI0004-003 2025-06-01 | $39.19 | $28.90 | $68.09 | WI20260011 |
| Sauk | Union BRWI0004-003 2025-06-01 | $39.19 | $28.90 | $68.09 | WI20260011 |
| Sawyer | Union BRWI0004-003 2025-06-01 | $39.19 | $28.90 | $68.09 | WI20260011 |
| Shawano | Union BRWI0004-003 2025-06-01 | $39.19 | $28.90 | $68.09 | WI20260011 |
| Taylor | Union BRWI0004-003 2025-06-01 | $39.19 | $28.90 | $68.09 | WI20260011 |
| Trempealeau | Union BRWI0004-003 2025-06-01 | $39.19 | $28.90 | $68.09 | WI20260011 |
| Vernon | Union BRWI0004-003 2025-06-01 | $39.19 | $28.90 | $68.09 | WI20260011 |
| Vilas | Union BRWI0004-003 2025-06-01 | $39.19 | $28.90 | $68.09 | WI20260011 |
| Walworth | Union BRWI0004-003 2025-06-01 | $39.19 | $28.90 | $68.09 | WI20260011 |
| Washburn | Union BRWI0004-003 2025-06-01 | $39.19 | $28.90 | $68.09 | WI20260011 |
| Waupaca | Union BRWI0004-003 2025-06-01 | $39.19 | $28.90 | $68.09 | WI20260011 |
| Waushara | Union BRWI0004-003 2025-06-01 | $39.19 | $28.90 | $68.09 | WI20260011 |
| Wood | Union BRWI0004-003 2025-06-01 | $39.19 | $28.90 | $68.09 | WI20260011 |
| Milwaukee | Union BRWI0005-001 2025-06-01 | $41.27 | $26.78 | $68.05 | WI20260001 |
| Ozaukee | Union BRWI0005-001 2025-06-01 | $41.27 | $26.78 | $68.05 | WI20260001 |
| Washington | Union BRWI0005-001 2025-06-01 | $41.27 | $26.78 | $68.05 | WI20260001 |
| Waukesha | Union BRWI0005-001 2025-06-01 | $41.27 | $26.78 | $68.05 | WI20260001 |
| Rock | Survey SUWI2002-009 2002-01-23 | $13.89 | $8.75 | $22.64 | WI20260012 |
| Calumet | Survey SUWI2002-013 2002-01-23 | $13.89 | $8.36 | $22.25 | WI20260016 |
| Outagamie | Survey SUWI2002-013 2002-01-23 | $13.89 | $8.36 | $22.25 | WI20260016 |
| Sheboygan | Survey SUWI2002-013 2002-01-23 | $13.89 | $8.36 | $22.25 | WI20260016 |
| Winnebago | Survey SUWI2002-013 2002-01-23 | $13.89 | $8.36 | $22.25 | WI20260016 |
| La Crosse | Survey SUWI2002-004 2002-01-23 | $13.89 | $8.33 | $22.22 | WI20260003 |
| Douglas | Survey SUWI2002-008 2002-01-23 | $13.89 | $8.30 | $22.19 | WI20260007 |
| Brown | Survey SUWI2002-010 2002-01-23 | $13.89 | $8.25 | $22.14 | WI20260014 |
| Chippewa | Survey SUWI2002-007 2002-01-23 | $13.89 | $8.25 | $22.14 | WI20260006 |
| Eau Claire | Survey SUWI2002-007 2002-01-23 | $13.89 | $8.25 | $22.14 | WI20260006 |
| Pierce | Survey SUWI2002-012 2002-01-23 | $13.89 | $8.25 | $22.14 | WI20260013 |
| St. Croix | Survey SUWI2002-012 2002-01-23 | $13.89 | $8.25 | $22.14 | WI20260013 |
| Marathon | Survey SUWI2002-003 2002-01-23 | $13.89 | $8.20 | $22.09 | WI20260002 |
| Dane | Survey SUWI2002-011 2002-01-23 | $13.89 | $7.58 | $21.47 | WI20260005 |
Building construction type, current revisions as of 2026-11-13. Residential, Heavy and Highway rates differ; look them up on the Wisconsin prevailing wage page. This is not the official wage determination.
Is construction work growing in Wisconsin?
Keep comparing
Tile setter pay in neighbouring states
Other trades in Wisconsin
More on Wisconsin
Questions this page answers
How much do tile setters make in Wisconsin?
The median tile setter in Wisconsin earned $30.14 an hour ($62,680 a year) in May 2025, 13% above the national median of $26.77. The middle half earn $27.44–$36.42; the top 10% earn more than $41.17.
Where does Wisconsin rank for tile setter pay?
Wisconsin ranks 9th of 47 states for tile setter pay, with a median of $30.14 an hour, and 9th after adjusting for Wisconsin's cost of living (BEA price parity 94.1, US = 100).
What is the union tile setter rate in Wisconsin?
Davis-Bacon determinations list a union contract rate for tile setters in 58 counties, with a typical package of $68.09 an hour including fringe benefits; see the county table above.
How many tile setters work in Wisconsin?
BLS counted 410 tile setters in Wisconsin in May 2025, 0.1 per 1,000 jobs (location quotient 0.61; 1.0 is the national average concentration).
Is tile setter work growing in Wisconsin?
Wisconsin's labor market agency projects +12.3% growth for tile setters between 2024 and 2034, from 750 to 840 jobs.
How many tile setter openings a year are there in Wisconsin?
Wisconsin projects about 60 openings a year for tile setters over 2024–2034, counting both new positions and replacements for people who retire or change occupation. Nationally BLS projects about 3,300 a year.
Sources and notes
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, Wisconsin and metro areas, SOC 47-2044. Job counts are survey estimates and exclude the self-employed.
- BLS Current Employment Statistics, state construction employment through 2026-09.
- BLS Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, 2025 annual averages.
- BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024 (cost-of-living adjustment).
- SAM.gov Davis-Bacon wage determinations, current revisions as of 2026-11-13. Not the official determination.
- BLS Employment Projections, national, 2025-35.
- State projection: Wisconsin labor market information agency via Projections Central, 2024–2034, fetched 2026-10-05.