Floor Covering Installers

Employers

There are approximately 20,300 carpet installers, 32,800 floor layers (except carpet, wood, and hard tiles), and 55,500 tile and marble setters employed in the United States. Many floor covering installers are self-employed. Others work for contractors, many of which now specialize in carpet alone. Experienced installers may work for floor covering manufacturers or retailers, either as installers or as sales representatives.

Starting Out

After gaining experience as a helper and learning skills on the job, you can apply directly to floor covering contractors and retailers. For specific job leads, check employment Web sites for job postings, as well as the listings in newspaper classified ads or the local offices of the state employment service. Information on apprenticeships in your area may be available from contractors, the state employment service, or the local offices of unions to which some installers belong, such as the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America, the International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers, and the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades.