Tiler

Tilers fix tiles to walls and floors in kitchens, bathrooms, shops and restaurants, using materials like ceramics, slate, stone and marble.

In this guide

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

As a wall and floor tiler, you'll:

  • work out the amount of materials needed for a job
  • follow design plans to match the layout of tile patterns
  • cut tiles to the correct shape and size by hand or with power tools
  • prepare surfaces by levelling off with plaster, sand or cement
  • fix tiles into place and apply grouting and sealants
  • tidy up work areas and dispose of old materials safely

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

With experience and extra training, you could move into:

  • site management
  • estimating
  • contract management
  • heritage work

You could also train apprentices in further education or set up your own business.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • knowledge of building and construction
  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • the ability to work well with your hands
  • knowledge of maths
  • the ability to work well with others
  • customer service skills
  • design skills and knowledge
  • the ability to organise your time and workload
  • to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

Restrictions and Requirements

You may need a driving licence for some jobs.

Most relevant

  • Mathematics - Tilers calculate the number of tiles needed for a job, work out areas and dimensions of walls and floors, and estimate material quantities and costs. They also need to measure accurately and understand angles and geometry when cutting tiles to fit around corners, pipes, and other obstacles.
  • Design and Technology - Tilers work with a range of tools – both hand tools and power tools – to cut, shape, and fix tiles to surfaces. They read design plans, prepare surfaces, and solve practical problems on every job, all of which draws on the kind of hands-on making and problem-solving skills developed in DT.

Also relevant

  • Art and Design - Tilers follow design plans to create tile patterns and layouts that look visually appealing and well-proportioned. Understanding colour, pattern, symmetry, and spatial arrangement helps them advise clients and produce a high-quality finish.
  • Physics - Tilers need to understand how different materials behave – for example, how ceramics, stone, and marble respond to cutting, heat, and moisture. Knowledge of forces and load-bearing also matters when preparing surfaces and ensuring tiles stay securely fixed over time.
  • Business - Tilers often become self-employed or set up their own businesses, which means quoting for jobs, managing finances, and building a client base. Understanding how to price work, handle invoices, and market their services is important for those who want to work independently.
  • Chemistry - Tilers work with adhesives, grouts, sealants, and cement-based products on a daily basis. Understanding how these materials set, bond, and react with different surfaces helps them choose the right products and achieve a lasting, waterproof finish.

How to become

You can get into this job through:

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

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

  • wall and floor tiling
  • construction skills - tiling

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

Entry requirements

Entry requirements for these courses vary.

More Information

You could apply to do a Wall and Floor Tiling Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship.

This can take up to 3 years to complete and combines on-the-job training with off-site study.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

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

More Information

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.

Registration

Further information

You can find more details about tiling careers and training from:

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