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Tile and Stone Setters

The short answer

This job is less likely to change much. Most of the work is the kind AI can't help with. In New York State, the number of these jobs is expected to hold steady over the next decade, with about 267 openings expected each year.

Step 1

Where your job stands

Compared with other New York jobs, this one is in the least exposed fifth for how much AI could touch it. Most of what it involves isn't the kind of work AI can take over.

How much AI could touch this job

Least exposedband 1 of 5
least exposedmost exposed

Looking at the job itself, AI could help with a small part of this job's tasks.

What this means

Compared with other New York jobs, this one is in the least exposed fifth, out of 656 jobs we could rank. Read more in the methodology.

Step 2

What AI can and can’t help with in this job

This job is in the least exposed fifth of New York jobs for AI exposure. The tasks below show why: most of what it involves is work AI can't simply take over.

AI can help with or automate about 16% of the tasks in this job.

Tasks AI can help with or automate

  1. Determine and implement the best layout to achieve a desired pattern.

    AI could help, but needs extra software

  2. Study blueprints and examine surface to be covered to determine amount of material needed.

    AI could help, but needs extra software

  3. Measure and mark surfaces to be tiled, following blueprints.

    AI could help, but needs extra software

  4. Prepare cost and labor estimates, based on calculations of time and materials needed for project.

    AI could do much of this on its own

Tasks AI can't do much of

  1. Align and straighten tile using levels, squares, and straightedges.

    AI is unlikely to speed this up

  2. Finish and dress the joints and wipe excess grout from between tiles, using damp sponge.

    AI is unlikely to speed this up

  3. Cut and shape tile to fit around obstacles and into odd spaces and corners, using hand and power cutting tools.

    AI is unlikely to speed this up

  4. Mix, apply, and spread plaster, concrete, mortar, cement, mastic, glue or other adhesives to form a bed for the tiles, using brush, trowel and screed.

    AI is unlikely to speed this up

  5. Lay and set mosaic tiles to create decorative wall, mural, and floor designs.

    AI is unlikely to speed this up

Step 3

Jobs you could switch to

If you're thinking about a change, these are jobs your experience already fits—related work you could move into. Pick your area to see local options.

See related jobs in

The closest matches by the skills they use—each has projected openings in New York State, pays within reach of your job now, and is no more exposed to AI than your job. Each card shows what the move would take.

  • Brickmasons and Blockmasons

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    +38% pay245 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job now

    Pays about 38% more—$86,702 vs your $62,915 here.

    What the move takes

    A step up—usually requires a high school diploma or equivalent, plus apprenticeship.

    Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.

    Skills you already have

    • Building and Construction
    • Visualization
    • Extent Flexibility
    • Near Vision
    • Trunk Strength

    New skills to build

    • Public Safety and Security
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    • Mechanical
  • Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers

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    about the same pay277 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job now

    Pays about the same—$62,936 vs your $62,915 here.

    What the move takes

    Usually requires no formal educational credential, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.

    Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.

    Skills you already have

    • Building and Construction
    • Extent Flexibility
    • Near Vision
    • Trunk Strength
    • Visualization

    New skills to build

    • Public Safety and Security
  • Paperhangers

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    slightly less pay20 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job now

    Pays slightly less—$61,859 vs your $62,915 here.

    What the move takes

    Usually requires no formal educational credential, plus long-term on-the-job training.

    Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.

    Skills you already have

    • Building and Construction
    • Extent Flexibility
    • Near Vision
    • Mathematics
    • Trunk Strength

    New skills to build

    • Customer and Personal Service
  • Floor Layers, Except Carpet, Wood, and Hard Tiles

    Very similar work
    about the same pay95 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job now

    Pays about the same—$63,024 vs your $62,915 here.

    What the move takes

    Usually requires no formal educational credential, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.

    Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.

    Skills you already have

    • Building and Construction
    • Extent Flexibility
    • Near Vision
    • Mathematics
    • Visualization

    New skills to build

    • Mechanical
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  • Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers

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    +5% pay608 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job now

    Pays about 5% more—$65,776 vs your $62,915 here.

    What the move takes

    Usually requires no formal educational credential, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.

    Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.

    Skills you already have

    • Building and Construction
    • Near Vision
    • Extent Flexibility
    • Trunk Strength
    • Visualization

    New skills to build

    • English Language
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  • Insulation Workers, Mechanical

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    slightly less pay110 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job now

    Pays slightly less—$60,716 vs your $62,915 here.

    What the move takes

    A step up—usually requires a high school diploma or equivalent, plus apprenticeship.

    Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.

    Skills you already have

    • Building and Construction
    • Trunk Strength
    • Mathematics
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    New skills to build

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    • Public Safety and Security
  • Helpers--Brickmasons, Blockmasons, Stonemasons, and Tile and Marble Setters

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    +1% pay74 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job now

    Pays about 1% more—$63,700 vs your $62,915 here.

    What the move takes

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    Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.

    Skills you already have

    • Building and Construction
    • Extent Flexibility
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    • Static Strength
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    New skills to build

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    +1% pay210 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job now

    Pays about 1% more—$63,430 vs your $62,915 here.

    What the move takes

    A step up—usually requires a high school diploma or equivalent, plus apprenticeship.

    Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.

    Skills you already have

    • Building and Construction
    • Near Vision
    • Mathematics
    • Trunk Strength
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    New skills to build

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  • Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and Wall

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    slightly less pay153 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job now

    Pays slightly less—$60,702 vs your $62,915 here.

    What the move takes

    Usually requires no formal educational credential, plus short-term on-the-job training.

    Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.

    Skills you already have

    • Extent Flexibility
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    • Trunk Strength
    • Multilimb Coordination
    • Visualization

    Your current skills largely cover this move.

  • Roofers

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    +8% pay424 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job now

    Pays about 8% more—$67,802 vs your $62,915 here.

    What the move takes

    Usually requires no formal educational credential, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.

    Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.

    Skills you already have

    • Building and Construction
    • Extent Flexibility
    • Near Vision
    • Trunk Strength
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    New skills to build

    • Gross Body Equilibrium
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  • Plasterers and Stucco Masons

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    +96% pay80 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job now

    Pays about 96% more—$123,437 vs your $62,915 here.

    What the move takes

    Usually requires no formal educational credential, plus long-term on-the-job training.

    Getting ready typically takes up to about a year.

    Skills you already have

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    • Extent Flexibility
    • Near Vision
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    New skills to build

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