CFChooseField
Construction and Trades

Carpet Installers

Lay and install carpet from rolls or blocks on floors. Install padding and trim flooring materials.

Visual summary of pay, outlook, skills, interests, and preparation for Carpet Installers

Median pay

$49,850
Median annual pay for Carpet Installers.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024
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10-year growth

-9.6%
Projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Annual openings

1,100
Projected annual openings, including growth and replacement demand.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Employment

20,300
Estimated U.S. employment for Carpet Installers in 2024.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024
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Jobs added or lost

-1,900
Projected numeric employment change from 2024 to 2034.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Entry preparation

No formal educational credential
Typical additional preparation: Short-term on-the-job training.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024 profile
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O*NET occupation profile

What the work involves

Strongest O*NET signals first.

Essential skills

  1. 1Monitoring
  2. 2Critical Thinking
  3. 3Mathematics
  4. 4Active Listening
  5. 5Speaking
  6. 6Active Learning

Knowledge areas

  1. 1Customer and Personal Service
  2. 2Mathematics
  3. 3Administration and Management
  4. 4English Language
  5. 5Building and Construction
  6. 6Production and Processing

Abilities

  1. 1Extent Flexibility
  2. 2Problem Sensitivity
  3. 3Trunk Strength
  4. 4Near Vision
  5. 5Static Strength
  6. 6Arm-Hand Steadiness

Career interests

  1. 1Realistic
  2. 2Conventional
  3. 3Artistic
  4. 4Social
  5. 5Investigative
  6. 6Enterprising

Work styles

  1. 1Attention to Detail
  2. 2Dependability
  3. 3Perseverance
  4. 4Cautiousness
  5. 5Achievement Orientation
  6. 6Integrity

Work activities

  1. 1Performing General Physical Activities
  2. 2Handling and Moving Objects
  3. 3Getting Information
  4. 4Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials
  5. 5Making Decisions and Solving Problems
  6. 6Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates

Work context

  1. 1Freedom to Make Decisions
  2. 2Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls
  3. 3Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
  4. 4Spend Time Kneeling, Crouching, Stooping, or Crawling
  5. 5Telephone Conversations
  6. 6Contact With Others

Representative tasks

  • Inspect the surface to be covered to determine its condition, and correct any imperfections that might show through carpet or cause carpet to wear unevenly.
  • Roll out, measure, mark, and cut carpeting to size with a carpet knife, following floor sketches and allowing extra carpet for final fitting.
  • Join edges of carpet and seam edges where necessary, by sewing or by using tape with glue and heated carpet iron.
  • Cut and trim carpet to fit along wall edges, openings, and projections, finishing the edges with a wall trimmer.
  • Plan the layout of the carpet, allowing for expected traffic patterns and placing seams for best appearance and longest wear.
  • Stretch carpet to align with walls and ensure a smooth surface, and press carpet in place over tack strips or use staples, tape, tacks or glue to hold carpet in place.
  • Take measurements and study floor sketches to calculate the area to be carpeted and the amount of material needed.
  • Install carpet on some floors using adhesive, following prescribed method.

Software and tools

Autodesk AutoCAD · hot technologyMicrosoft Excel · hot technologyMicrosoft Office software · hot technologyMicrosoft Word · hot technologyAya Associates Comp-U-FloorCarpet Dealer Management System CDMSeTakeoffFIRST FlooringFloorCOST Estimator for ExcelFlooring Technologies QFloorsFocus Floor Covering SoftwareMeasure Square FloorEstimate Pro

Sources

BLS provides national pay, employment, and projections. O*NET provides skills, interests, preparation, tasks, work context, and tools.