Tiler

Alternative titles for this job include Wall tiler, floor tiler, ceramic tiler

Tilers tile walls and floors in kitchens, bathrooms, shops and restaurants, using materials like ceramics, slate and marble.

Average salary (a year)

£17,000 Starter

to

£32,000 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

42 to 44 a week

You could work

evenings / weekends occasionally

How to become

Explore the different ways to get into this role.

How to become a tiler

You can get into this job through:

  • a college course
  • an apprenticeship
  • working towards this role

College

You could take a college course to learn some of the skills needed to do this job. Courses include:

  • Level 1 Certificate in Wall and Floor Tiling
  • Level 2 Diploma in Wall and Floor Tiling

Some colleges offer short courses in tiling that you can try before deciding whether to take a longer course that leads to a qualification.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 2 or fewer GCSEs at grades 3 to 1 (D to G), or equivalent, for a level 1 course
  • 2 or more GCSEs at grades 9 to 3 (A* to D), or equivalent, for a level 2 course

More Information

Apprenticeship

You can get into this career through a wall and floor tiling intermediate apprenticeship.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship

More Information

Work

You may be able to start work as a site labourer or tiler's 'mate' and do further training on the job to qualify as a tiler.

More Information

Registration

Further information

You'll find more details about tiling careers and training from Go Construct and The Tile Association.

What it takes

Find out what skills you’ll use in this role.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • the ability to work on your own
  • the ability to work well with others
  • the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
  • knowledge of building and construction
  • the ability to work well with your hands
  • the ability to organise your time and workload
  • knowledge of maths
  • to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

What you’ll do

Discover the day to day tasks you’ll do in this role.

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

Day-to-day, you will:

  • talk to the client about the materials they want to use
  • repair or remove old tiles and surfaces
  • prepare surfaces by levelling off with plaster, sand or cement
  • mark out the area to estimate the amount of tiles and adhesive needed
  • cut tiles to size and shape with hand-cutters or bench-mounted tools
  • fix tiles in place and apply adhesives before finishing

Working environment

You could work at a client's home, at a client's business or on a construction site.

Your working environment may be dusty, noisy and physically demanding.

You may need to wear safety clothing and use safety equipment.

Career path and progression

Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities.

Career path and progression

With experience and extra training, you could become a site supervisor, clerk of works, estimator or contract manager.

You could also work as a trainer and assessor on tiling courses, teach at a further education college, or set up your own business.

Find out more about teaching in further education from Teach in further education.

Current opportunities

Find apprenticeships, courses and jobs available near you.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

We can't find any apprenticeship vacancies in England for a tiler right now.

The Find an apprenticeship service can help you with your search, send alerts when new apprenticeships become available and has advice on how to apply.

Courses In England

Level 1 Diploma in Wall & Floor Tiling

  • Provider: CITY OF PORTSMOUTH COLLEGE
  • Start date: 09 September 2024
  • Location: Portsmouth

Diploma in Wall and Floor Tiling

  • Provider: NCG
  • Start date: 02 September 2024
  • Location: London

Jobs In the United Kingdom

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Skills assessment

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