Explore national salary, projected growth, education requirements, and career opportunities across the United States.
A concise view of this occupation’s national scale, compensation, and projected demand.
National median annual wage for this occupation.
Estimated jobs currently supported nationwide.
Projected employment change through 2034.
Estimated openings created each year.
The typical education, prior experience, and on-the-job training associated with entry into this career.
No formal educational credential
None
Moderate-term on-the-job training
These are the highest-rated capabilities associated with success in this occupation. Scores are derived from occupational skill analysis and are measured on a 100-point scale.
Based on skills, knowledge, and work activities, these occupations are the closest match to your current career.
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Understand the salary, outlook, education, and geographic opportunities shaping this career.
Floor layers, except carpet, wood, and hard tiles, work in a specialized construction trade with a national median salary of $54,340 and employment of about 34,000 workers. The occupation shows a projected employment growth rate of 9.5%, with around 3,000 annual openings, suggesting consistent movement in and out of the field. This path may appeal to people who prefer hands-on, physically active work that draws on physical strength and stamina, fine motor abilities, mechanical skill, and problem solving. Customer service, project management, and leadership also matter, reflecting the importance of working effectively with others and coordinating tasks. The role does not typically require a formal educational credential, which can make it more accessible to career changers or those entering the workforce directly. For those willing to develop the core skills and focus on locations with strong opportunity scores, floor laying can provide stable, skills-based employment with clear potential to move into higher-paying regions and metros over time.
The national median annual salary for floor layers, except carpet, wood, and hard tiles, is $54,340, but pay varies meaningfully by location. Among states, Massachusetts reports the highest listed median salary at $79,280, followed by New York at $61,360 and California at $61,210. Colorado and Washington show median salaries of $46,020 and $56,800, respectively. At the metro level, several areas stand out with notably higher pay: San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA shows a median salary of $105,280, and Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH reports $98,290. San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA has a median of $74,970, while New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ lists $61,360 and Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV shows $49,970. These differences indicate that earnings for this occupation can be significantly higher in certain metro areas and specific states, which may be important for long-term earning potential and relocation decisions.
Nationally, floor layers, except carpet, wood, and hard tiles, have total employment of about 34,000 workers and a projected employment growth rate of 9.5%. This projection is paired with an estimated 3,000 annual openings. Taken together, these numbers indicate an occupation with ongoing hiring needs, driven by both growth and normal workforce turnover. For someone considering entering this field, the combination of current employment size and steady projected growth suggests an active labor market with recurring opportunities to get hired or move between employers. The consistent 9.5% growth rate also appears across the top states and metro areas listed, indicating a similar projected pace of expansion in those regions. Job seekers who are mobile may be able to use this outlook information to compare where openings are likely to continue emerging and to align their job search with areas that also offer stronger wages or higher CareerGPS opportunity scores.
Location plays a major role in opportunity for floor layers, except carpet, wood, and hard tiles. At the state level, California leads with 4,330 employed workers, a median salary of $61,210, 9.5% growth, and an opportunity score of 67.38. Massachusetts has a smaller employment base of 1,060 but a higher median salary of $79,280 and an opportunity score of 65.87. New York, with 880 employed and a median salary of $61,360, has a similar opportunity score of 65.78. Colorado and Washington have lower employment counts (240 and 370) and lower opportunity scores in the mid‑50s. At the metro level, San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA stands out with the highest opportunity score of 77.42 and a median salary of $105,280. The New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ metro follows closely in opportunity score at 77.27. San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA and Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH combine relatively high salaries with strong scores, while Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV offers more moderate pay and a solid opportunity score.
For floor layers, except carpet, wood, and hard tiles, the typical education requirement is listed as “no formal educational credential.” This makes the occupation accessible to individuals who do not plan to complete traditional degree programs and those seeking a more direct entry into the workforce. Success in this field, however, relies on building specific capabilities. Physical strength and stamina and fine motor skills are central to the work. Mechanical skills, science, and mathematics contribute to understanding materials, tools, and measurements. Creativity and innovation can support better problem solving and improved approaches to tasks. Customer service and leadership highlight the importance of working with clients and coordinating with other workers, while problem solving, decision making, and project management help keep work on track. People considering this career should focus on developing these practical skills through hands-on experience, training opportunities, and on-the-job learning pathways.
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