Across U.S. metros, tile setters typically earn $2,190 more a year than insulation installers (5%). In the 58 metros where BLS publishes both, insulation installers earn more in 25 and tile setters in 33.
| Insulation Installer | Tile Setter | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical metro median pay | $48,305 | $50,495 |
| Lowest metro median | $27,040 | $34,970 |
| Highest metro median | $80,000 | $88,730 |
| Job growth 2025–35 (U.S.) | +2.4% | +9.8% |
| Openings per year (U.S.) | 3,000 | 3,300 |
| Self-employed | 2% | 21% |
| Typical education | No formal educational credential | No formal educational credential |
| Typical training | Short-term on-the-job training | Long-term on-the-job training |
| Injury rate per 10k workers (U.S.) | 312 | 138 |
| Metros with pay data | 106 | 120 |
On safety, insulation installers report more injuries that cause missed work (312 vs. 138 per 10,000 full-time workers, national 2023–24).
Pay: BLS OEWS May 2025 (typical = median across metros). Growth, openings, education, training: BLS Employment Projections 2025–35. Injuries: BLS SOII 2023–24.
Where insulation installers out-earn tile setters the most Our calculation
Gap in median yearly pay, same metro.
Where tile setters out-earn insulation installers the most
Gap in median yearly pay, same metro.
What each trade does
Insulation Installer
Line and cover structures with insulating materials. May work with batt, roll, or blown insulation materials.
Tile Setter
Apply hard tile, stone, and comparable materials to walls, floors, ceilings, countertops, and roof decks.
Compare one trade across two cities →