Tiler: how busy are tilers?
No trend data yet No verified wait-time figure. CITB needs 430 extra floorers and wall tilers a year.
No verified wait-time figure yet; tell us yours.
The figures
| Where | Measure | Figure | Period | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UK | Extra workers needed per year, 2026-2030 CITB group: Floorers and wall tilers | 430 workers per year | 2026-2030 average | CITB Workforce Outlook, 17 Jun 2026 |
| UK | Extra workers needed per year (% of workforce) CITB group: Floorers and wall tilers | 1.2% | 2026-2030 average | CITB Workforce Outlook, 17 Jun 2026 |
| UK | Change in number of businesses, year on year Flooring and wall covering businesses, year-on-year change | -2% | Year to mid-2025 | Markel Direct via Fix Radio, 15 Jul 2025 |
| UK | Workforce, 2025 CITB group: Floorers and wall tilers | 34,790 workers | 2025 actual | CITB Workforce Outlook, 17 Jun 2026 |
| UK | Workforce forecast, 2030 CITB group: Floorers and wall tilers | 35,540 workers | 2030 forecast | CITB Workforce Outlook, 17 Jun 2026 |
| England | Experienced salary | £38,000 | Live page | National Careers Service, not stated (live pages) |
| England | Starter salary | £21,000 | Live page | National Careers Service, not stated (live pages) |
Industry backdrop
Across construction, most demand signals point quieter: PMI 43.6 in October 2026 and builders' enquiries at -10 in H1 2026. See all demand signals.
Getting into the trade
- Apprenticeship: Wall and Floor Tiling (Level 2)
- College course, then a trainee role
- Start as an assistant or mate and train on the job
- Private adult courses for career-changers (below)
Routes: National Careers Service job profile
| Provider | Course | Published price |
|---|---|---|
| Able Skills | City & Guilds Tiling Course | £2,495 inc VAT |
| Able Skills | Introduction to Tiling | £525 inc VAT |
| Able Skills | Advanced Tiling Course | £525 inc VAT |
| Able Skills | Natural Stone Tiling Course | £595 inc VAT |
| Able Skills | Victorian Tiling Course | £695 inc VAT |
| Able Skills | 3 Week DIY Tiling Course | £1,495 inc VAT |
| Able Skills | 4 Week DIY Tiling Course | £1,895 inc VAT |
| Able Skills | Tiling Course with Training for NVQ Level 2 | £2,995 inc VAT |
Prices as published on providers' sites, checked 10 November 2026. Listing is not an endorsement, and no provider has paid to appear.
Common questions
How long is the wait for tilers?
We haven't yet found a verified, published wait-time figure for tilers specifically. Our tradesperson poll will add one. For urgent repairs of any kind, Markel Direct's survey found waits of 3 to 10 days depending on the city.
Source: Markel Direct via Fix Radio, 15 Jul 2025
Are tilers getting busier or quieter?
We don't have a trade-specific trend yet. No verified wait-time figure. CITB needs 430 extra floorers and wall tilers a year. Across construction as a whole, most indicators point quieter: the UK Construction PMI was 43.6 in October 2026.
Source: CITB Workforce Outlook, 17 Jun 2026; S&P Global UK Construction PMI, 5 Nov 2026
Is there a shortage of tilers?
CITB's Construction Workforce Outlook says the UK needs about 430 extra floorers and wall tilers a year from 2026 to 2030 to cover growth and people leaving, around 1.2% of the current workforce each year.
Source: CITB Workforce Outlook, 17 Jun 2026