How to become a tiler in the UK
By The Busy Busy Index team · Updated 10 November 2026 · Every figure links to its source
Is there demand?
No trend data yet No verified wait-time figure. CITB needs 430 extra floorers and wall tilers a year. CITB says the UK needs about 430 extra floorers and wall tilers a year to 2030 (CITB Workforce Outlook, 17 Jun 2026).
What it pays
Starter £21,000, experienced £38,000 a year on average in England (National Careers Service, not stated (live pages)).
Routes in
- 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
Key figures for tilers
| 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 |
What the wider market is doing
Across construction, demand is softening: the UK Construction PMI was 43.6 in October 2026 (S&P Global UK Construction PMI, 5 Nov 2026) and the CPA expects private housing repair, maintenance and improvement work to fall 8% in 2026 (CPA Autumn forecasts, 26 Oct 2026). Longer term, CITB estimates the UK needs about 430 extra workers a year in floorers and wall tilers on average to 2030 (CITB Workforce Outlook, 17 Jun 2026). Training takes time, so it's worth thinking about where demand will be when you qualify, not just today. See all demand signals.
Courses and published prices
| 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.