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OaSIS 2025 Version 1.0
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73101.00 – Tilesetters

Tilesetters cover interior and exterior walls, floors and ceilings with ceramic, marble and quarry tile, mosaics or terrazzo. Apprentices are also included in this unit group.

Overview

Example job titles

  • Apprentice tilesetter
  • Ceramic tile installer
  • Marble setter
  • Terrazzo polisher
  • Terrazzo worker
  • Tile installer
  • Tilesetter

Core competencies

  • Product Design to interpret basic design plans, select suitable tiles for aesthetic and functional purposes and make minor adjustments to patterns or layouts
  • Quality Control Testing to verify tiles meet specific standards for size, shape, colour and texture
  • Trunk Strength to perform tasks like kneeling or crouching for moderate periods while applying tiles, with enough core stability to maintain balance and posture during these physically activities
  • Body Flexibility to bend, twist and stretch body efficiently to work in awkward or confined spaces, while maintaining precision when laying tiles
  • Attention to Detail to align tiles with precision, ensuring exact spacing, symmetry and pattern consistency while carefully handling variations in materials and surface conditions
  • Knowledge in Building and Construction to understand surface preparation, selecting appropriate materials and following simple tile installation techniques

Main duties

This group performs some or all of the following duties:

  • Prepare, measure and mark surface to be covered
  • Build underbeds and install anchor bolts, wires and brackets
  • Mix, apply and spread mortar, cement, mastic, glue or other adhesives using hand trowel
  • Set tiles in position and apply pressure to affix tiles to base
  • Align and straighten tile using levels, squares and straightedges
  • Cut and fit tiles around obstacles and openings using hand and power cutting tools
  • Pack grout into joints between tiles and remove excess grout
  • Install tile strips
  • Lay and set mosaic tiles to create decorative wall, mural and floor designs
  • Mix, lay and polish terra surfaces
  • Cut, polish and install marble and granite
  • Remove and replace cracked or damaged tiles
  • May prepare cost estimates and orders.

Additional information

  • Progression to supervisory positions is possible with experience.

Similar occupations classified elsewhere

Exclusions:

  • Bricklayers (72320)
  • Plasterers, drywall installers and finishers and lathers (73102)

NOC hierarchy breakdown

NOC version

NOC 2021 Version 1.0

Broad occupational category

7 – Trades, transport and equipment operators and related occupations

TEER

3 – Occupations usually require a college diploma or apprenticeship training of less than two years; or more than six months of on-the-job training

Major group

73 – General trades

Sub-major group

731 – General construction trades

Minor group

7310 – Concrete finishers, tilesetters and plasterers

Unit group

73101 – Tilesetters

Occupational profile

73101.00 – Tilesetters

O*NET in-it

This page includes information from the O*NET 27.2 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. Employment and Social Development Canada has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.