message should be clear that we are a highly skilled trade that offers a career path. “Interesting enough, as I got [the digital enewsletter], I was enter- ing the pay rate for a new hire,” he added. “Having no experience, knowing nothing about the tile, I started him in the high $20Ks, with a chance to go even higher once he makes it out of his probationary period.” Varying statistics In fact, The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) page of the U.S. Department of Labor states the median pay for flooring installers and tile and marble setters in May 2017 was $40,250 per year and $19.35 per hour, quite a difference than the BuildZoom study. These figures, from the BLS Occupational Employment Statistics survey, exceed $37,690 – the median pay for all workers in that time period. Further analysis of the BLS data paints a different picture from the BuildZoom story. In May 2017, the BLS said tile and marble set- ters brought in a median wage of $41,680, compared to carpet installers at $38,830, floor layers (except carpet, wood and hard tiles) at $40,040 and floor sanders and finishers at $36,950. The low- est 10% of earners in the flooring installers and tile and marble set- ters category (which the govern- ment does lump together) made less than $23,590 and the highest 10% earned more than $73,990. Training As part of its occupational analy- sis, the BLS includes a section called “How to Become a Flooring Installer or Tile and Marble Setter” at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/con- struction-and-extraction/tile-and- marble-setters.htm#tab-4 or https:// bit.ly/2rf5RoM. In terms of educa- tion – as David pointed out – the BLS states, “There are no specific education requirements for some- one to become a flooring installer or tile and marble setter. A high school diploma or equivalent is preferred for those entering an apprenticeship program. High school art, math, and vocational courses are considered helpful for flooring installers and tile and marble setters.” However, the BLS con- tinues in its training sec- tion with information BUSINESS TIP ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 36 TileLetter | June 2018