Floor Covering Installers

Employment for carpet installers is expected to decline by 2 percent through 2028, according to the Occupational Outlook Handbook (OOH). Carpet is the most popular type of flooring in the United States, but employment for carpet installers has declined as more homeowners and businesses choose to install tile and hardwood floors in the belief that these materials are more durable than carpet. Employment for resilient floor layers is expected to grow by 18 percent (much faster than the average) through 2028 as a result of population and business growth and the public's increasing interest in new types of resilient floor material. Job opportunities for tile and marble setters will grow by 18 percent in the coming years due to the increasing popularity of tile in shopping malls, hospitals, schools, restaurants, and upscale homes. Many job opportunities for floor covering installers will occur when experienced workers leave the field for other occupations or retire. However, even during economic downturns, when new construction levels drop drastically, the need to replace flooring in existing buildings will create employment opportunities for installers.