What Is the Tile Setter Salary in Austria?
Find out how high tile setter salary in Austria is in 2026. This overview shows collective-agreement hourly wages, typical gross salaries, key net-pay factors, and explains why tile setter cost per m² is not the same as salary.
Tile setter salary in Austria depends strongly on whether someone works as a helper, qualified helper, skilled worker, or experienced tile and slab layer (tile setter). Work experience, construction-site experience, specializations, piecework, overtime, work location and collective agreement can all influence how much a tile setter earns.
What Does the Tile Setter Occupation Include?
Tile setters lay wall and floor tiles, slabs, natural stone, porcelain stoneware or similar coverings in apartments, houses, bathrooms, kitchens, commercial spaces, new builds or renovations. The occupation includes not only the laying itself, but also precise preparation, cutting, waterproofing, grouting and finishing.
Typical tasks can include:
- Checking, preparing, levelling or cleaning substrates
- Measuring surfaces and planning the tile layout
- Cutting tiles, slabs or natural stone
- Applying tile adhesive or mortar
- Laying wall and floor tiles
- Grouting and cleaning surfaces
- Waterproofing wet areas, bathrooms or showers
- Replacing or repairing damaged tiles
- Working with other trades on construction sites
Tile Setter Salary in Austria: The Key Figures
Tile setter salary in Austria is often in the range of about €36,000 to €45,000 gross per year, depending on source and role, when based on collective-agreement minimum values. Public salary data from Kununu lists an average gross annual salary of around €39,900 for tile and slab layers in Austria, with a stated range of about €28,900 to €61,000.
The following table combines collective-agreement reference values with public market data. The collective-agreement monthly values are approximations based on WKO hourly wages effective 1 May 2026 and a calculated full-time basis. Actual figures can vary depending on employer, working-time model, allowances and above-collective-agreement pay.
| Role / experience level | Reference | Estimated gross monthly value | Estimated gross annual value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Helper | Collective-agreement hourly wage approx. €15.33 | approx. €2,591 | approx. €36,271 |
| Qualified helper | Collective-agreement hourly wage approx. €15.96 | approx. €2,697 | approx. €37,761 |
| Skilled worker, 1st year of service | Collective-agreement hourly wage approx. €16.81 | approx. €2,841 | approx. €39,772 |
| Skilled worker, 2nd year of service | Collective-agreement hourly wage approx. €17.82 | approx. €3,012 | approx. €42,162 |
| Skilled worker, after 2nd year of service | Collective-agreement hourly wage approx. €18.75 | approx. €3,169 | approx. €44,363 |
| Tile and slab layer, per Kununu average | Market data | approx. €2,850 at 14 salary payments | approx. €39,900 |
| Tile and slab layer, per Kununu range | Market data | depends on position and experience | approx. €28,900–€61,000 |
These figures should be understood as reference values. Actual pay can be higher or lower depending on collective agreement, federal state, employer, above-collective-agreement pay, piecework, overtime, construction site, qualification and specialization.
Tile Setter Hourly Wage in Austria: Collective Agreement 2026
For the stove-fitting, slab and tile-laying trade, the WKO lists the following hourly wages for Austria effective 1 May 2026.
| Classification per 2026 collective agreement | Gross hourly wage |
|---|---|
| Helper | €15.33 |
| Qualified helper | €15.96 |
| Skilled worker, 1st year of service | €16.81 |
| Skilled worker, 2nd year of service | €17.82 |
| Skilled worker, after 2nd year of service | €18.75 |
These collective-agreement hourly wages are minimum values. In practice, the actual hourly wage can be higher if an employer pays above the collective agreement, if particular experience is present, or if additional payments for overtime, off-site assignments or piecework are added.
Tile Setter Net Salary in Austria: What's Left of the Gross Amount?
There is no single net amount that applies to all tile setters. Net salary depends, among other things, on gross wage, social security, income tax, commuter allowance, family bonus, special payments and personal factors.
For an accurate net estimate, employees should use an Austrian gross-net calculator.
| Factor | Why it affects net pay |
|---|---|
| Gross wage | Starting basis for all deductions |
| Social security | Deducted from gross |
| Income tax | Depends on taxable income |
| Special payments | Can be taxed differently than regular wages |
| Commuter allowance / commuter euro | Can affect the net amount |
| Family bonus or personal factors | Can be tax-relevant |
| Specific employment situation | Can play a role depending on the calculator and inputs |
That's why net tile setter salary in Austria should always be calculated individually. Two people with the same gross wage can receive different net amounts if their commute, family bonus or other personal factors differ.
How Does Tile Setter Salary Develop with Experience?
As experience increases, tile setters don't just see a change in salary level but also in the type of work. Early on, simple support tasks, cutting, material preparation and work under instruction are common. Later, independent bathroom renovations, waterproofing, large-format tiles, natural stone, complex grout patterns, site coordination or client communication are added.
| Experience | Typical task development | Significance for salary |
|---|---|---|
| 0–2 years | Support with substrate preparation, material transport, cutting, simple laying work, grouting and surface cleaning. Learning about tools, adhesives, mortar, grout and site procedures. | Salary is usually closer to lower collective-agreement or entry-level values, especially without a completed trade qualification or independent project responsibility. |
| 2–5 years | More independent work in bathrooms, kitchens, living spaces or smaller construction sites. Planning layouts, cutting tiles, laying wall and floor tiles, preparing waterproofing in wet areas and carrying out smaller repairs. | With confident work, site experience and more material knowledge, higher classifications or above-collective-agreement pay become more realistic. |
| 5–10 years | Skilled work on more complex projects: large-format tiles, natural stone, difficult substrates, shower gradients, clean transition details, refurbishments, older-building work, or coordination with plumbers, painters and flooring installers. | Specializations, clean execution and independent project work can significantly improve salary. |
| 10+ years | Very experienced professional, foreman role or independent site coordination possible. Tasks can include measurement, material planning, quality assurance, client coordination, training junior staff and complex bathroom or facility projects. | Higher salaries come mainly from responsibility, specialized knowledge, speed, quality, client contact and coordination ability. |
Those who bring additional knowledge, for example in waterproofing, natural stone, mosaic, large-format slabs, older-building refurbishment, bathroom renovation, substrate levelling or barrier-free showers, can have better long-term earning potential.
What Can Increase Tile Setter Salary?
Several factors can help tile setters in Austria earn more. Particularly important are qualification, clean execution, and the ability to independently take on more demanding work steps.
A higher salary is more likely if you have a completed apprenticeship as a tile and slab layer or comparable practical experience. Experience with bathroom renovations, wet-room waterproofing, large-format tiles, natural stone, mosaic, difficult substrates or high-quality materials can also positively affect earnings.
In addition, precision, speed, client contact, independent work, construction-site experience, a driver's licence, your own tools and experience coordinating with other trades can all be important. Those who work reliably, prepare surfaces cleanly, execute grout patterns precisely and can take on more demanding projects are especially valuable to employers.
Tile Setter Cost per m² in Austria
Cost per m² often takes into account, besides working time, business costs, tools, machines, travel, preparation, materials, adhesive, grout, waterproofing, warranty, risk and profit margin. That's why a price per m² can appear noticeably higher than the plain hourly wage of an employed tradesperson.
Several Austrian price overviews list values of roughly €30 to €70 per m² for standard tile laying. Depending on source, material, substrate, format and scope of work, costs can also be higher.
| Service / situation | Rough cost reference per m² | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Standard tile laying on a prepared substrate | approx. €30–€70 per m² | Common reference for simple to standard laying work |
| Tile laying including additional services | approx. €30–€120 per m² | Depends on format, material, waterproofing, adhesive and effort |
| Large format, natural stone, mosaic or difficult substrates | often higher | More cutting, preparation, precision and time required |
| Small areas, bathroom niches or repairs | often higher per m² | Travel, setup time and detail work weigh more heavily |
For employees, this distinction matters: the price customers pay per square metre is not a direct indicator of how much a tile setter earns net. For companies and the self-employed, on the other hand, the price per m² is relevant for correctly calculating a project's effort, material, time and risk.
Permanent Employment, Construction Site, Renovation or Self-Employment
Tile setter salary can also depend on how the work is organized. A fixed full-time position at a tiling company often offers more predictability. Project work, changing construction sites, renovations, refurbishments or on-site work for clients can bring different requirements and earning potential.
On new builds, larger areas, clear procedures and cooperation with multiple trades are often in the foreground. On renovations or bathroom conversions, detail work, clean transitions, waterproofing, cutting and consideration for existing rooms are especially important. On high-end projects, natural stone, mosaic, large-format tiles or complex grout patterns can require additional experience.
For employees, it's therefore important to check not just the salary range, but also the type of work. Especially for tile setter jobs, project type, materials, site organization, client contact and physical strain can make a big difference.
Comparing Tile Setter Salary Correctly
When comparing several tile setter jobs, you shouldn't only look at the stated gross salary. What matters is what's included in the overall package and which conditions come with the position.
Particularly important:
- Collective-agreement classification and actual hourly wage
- Gross monthly salary and special payments
- Above-collective-agreement pay
- Overtime arrangements
- Piecework or performance-based pay
- Work location and daily commute
- Construction-site work, facility work or renovation projects
- Tools, protective clothing and material provision
- Travel costs, travel time and reimbursement arrangements
- Physical strain and working-time model
- Development opportunities within the company
A higher gross salary is only part of the decision. A tile setter job can be more attractive long-term if salary, working conditions, predictability, site organization and development opportunities all fit together.
Tile Setter Jobs and Salary: Find Work with BauBau
If you're looking for tile setter jobs in Austria, BauBau can help you find suitable opportunities. Through BauBau, you can create your profile and show which type of tiling work you can take on.
FAQ Help
Answers to the most common questions about the BauBau digital platform for consturction and renovation work.
What is the tile setter salary in Austria?
Tile setter or tile layer salary in Austria is often in the range of about €36,000 to €45,000 gross per year, depending on role, experience and source. Kununu lists an average gross annual salary of around €39,900 for tile and slab layers in Austria.
What is the tile setter hourly wage in Austria?
The tile setter hourly wage in Austria, according to the 2026 WKO collective agreement, is about €16.81 to €18.75 gross per hour for skilled workers, depending on year of service. Lower collective-agreement hourly wages apply for helpers and qualified helpers.
What does a tile setter earn net in Austria?
Tile setter net salary in Austria depends on the gross wage and personal factors, such as social security, income tax, commuter allowance, family bonus and special payments. For an accurate calculation, employees should use an Austrian gross-net calculator.
What does a tile setter cost per m² in Austria?
Tile setter cost per m² in Austria is often roughly between €30 and €70 per m² for standard work. Depending on material, substrate, format, waterproofing, cutting and scope of work, costs can also be higher.
Is tile setter cost per m² the same as the hourly wage?
No. Cost per m² is a customer price and includes not only working time, but also business costs, tools, materials, travel, preparation, warranty, risk and profit. The hourly wage, by contrast, is the gross wage an employed tile setter receives per working hour.
What influences tile setter salary the most?
Tile setter salary is mainly influenced by trade qualification, work experience, collective-agreement classification, employer, location, above-collective-agreement pay, piecework, overtime and specializations. Experience with wet areas, waterproofing, natural stone, large-format tiles, refurbishments and independent construction-site work can be especially important.
FOR WORKERS
If you want to find tile setter jobs in Austria, create your BauBau profile and show companies what experience you bring with wall tiles, floor tiles, slabs, natural stone, waterproofing or renovations. Create your tile setter profile and find suitable work in interior finishing, renovations, bathroom projects or on construction sites with BauBau.
