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To Become a Terrazzo Tile and Marble Setter (Laying ceramic marble granite terrazzo) in Ontario: Salary, Training, and Career Outlook

by Occupations.ca Team
10 min read

Have you ever noticed a beautifully patterned terrazzo floor or a flawless marble shower and thought, “Who creates this?” If you enjoy hands-on work, precision, and transforming spaces, a career as a Terrazzo, Tile, and Marble Setter in Ontario might be a great fit for you. In this trade, you work with ceramic, porcelain, marble, granite, and terrazzo to finish floors, walls, stairways, countertops, and more—making buildings both durable and stunning.

Job Description

As a Terrazzo, Tile, and Marble Setter in Ontario, you install, Repair, and finish tile and stone surfaces in residential, commercial, and institutional buildings. This includes ceramic and porcelain tile, natural stone like marble and granite, and terrazzo systems (cementitious or epoxy-based). You follow drawings and specifications, prepare surfaces, set and cut materials, grout and seal, and deliver a polished finish that meets building and industry standards.

Daily work activities

  • Reading and interpreting drawings, layouts, and specifications.
  • Consulting with supervisors, general contractors, architects, or clients about materials, layout, timelines, and site access.
  • Measuring, calculating quantities, and planning the layout to minimize cuts and ensure symmetry.
  • Preparing substrates: Cleaning, leveling, applying primers, crack-isolation or uncoupling membranes, sound reduction, and waterproofing systems (e.g., for showers, balconies).
  • Setting tile or stone using appropriate mortars or adhesives; installing movement joints per industry guidelines.
  • Cutting and shaping tiles or slabs using wet saws, angle grinders, bridge saws, and waterjet services for complex stone when required.
  • Installing heated floor systems, shower pans, linear drains, niches, and custom edges.
  • Grouting (cementitious, epoxy, or Urethane), cleaning, sealing, and polishing.
  • For terrazzo: laying divider strips, mixing and placing terrazzo, rolling, curing, grinding, grouting pinholes, and polishing to a specified finish.
  • Ensuring Compliance with Ontario health and Safety regulations, including silica exposure control, PPE, and Working at Heights when needed.
  • Documenting work, tracking time/materials, and coordinating with other trades.

Main tasks

  • Surface assessment and substrate preparation.
  • Accurate layout, squaring, and setting reference lines.
  • Mechanical and chemical bonding of tile/stone/terrazzo systems.
  • Precision cutting for corners, edges, penetrations, and transitions.
  • Waterproofing and steam-proofing (showers, spas, pools).
  • Expansion/movement joint planning and installation.
  • Grouting, sealing, Finishing, and Quality Control.
  • Repairing cracked tiles, loose stone, failed grout, and damaged terrazzo.
  • Using lasers, levels, straightedges, and tile-leveling systems to achieve flatness and plumb.
  • Site safety, Housekeeping, and waste disposal in compliance with Ontario standards.

Required Education

In Ontario, this is a skilled trade that you typically enter through an apprenticeship. It is a non-compulsory trade, but earning a Certificate of Qualification and the Red Seal endorsement can boost your career and earnings.

Diplomas and paths

  • Certificate:
    • Apprenticeship completion as a Tilesetter (Certificate of Apprenticeship, Certificate of Qualification, and optional Red Seal endorsement).
    • Safety certificates such as Working at Heights and WHMIS are often required for Construction sites.
  • College Diploma:
    • While not required, programs in Construction Techniques, Building Renovation, or Masonry can help you start and secure an apprenticeship.
  • Bachelor’s Degree:

Key official resources:

Length of studies

  • Apprenticeship: typically 3 to 4 years.
    • On-the-job training: about 5,400 to 6,000 hours under the supervision of a qualified journeyperson.
    • In-class training: usually delivered in 2–3 levels (foundational to advanced), often totaling several hundred hours.
  • Pre-apprenticeship programs: 3 to 12 months, depending on the provider, combining basic construction skills and a work placement.
  • Safety training: Working at Heights (one day) and regular refreshers; WHMIS; silica and respirator fit-testing as required by employers and sites.

Where to study? (Ontario)

In-class apprenticeship training is delivered by colleges and approved Training Delivery Agents. Availability changes by year and region, so confirm with Skilled Trades Ontario and your sponsor.

Examples of Ontario colleges and training centres with related apprenticeship or construction programs:

Note: For terrazzo-specific training and large-format stone work, many Ontario employers and unions provide specialized on-the-job training and vendor-certified courses (e.g., waterproofing and membrane systems, epoxy terrazzo systems) arranged after you are hired as an apprentice.

Salary and Working Conditions

Entry-level vs experienced salary

  • Entry-level (apprentice): approximately $20–$27 per hour, depending on region, employer, and collective agreements.
  • Experienced journeyperson: approximately $30–$45+ per hour, with higher rates on large commercial/industrial projects or unionized sites; overtime, Travel, and premium pay may apply.
  • Self-employed contractors can earn more, based on pricing, reputation, and specialization (e.g., high-end marble, large-format porcelain panels, heritage Restoration, epoxy terrazzo).

For current wage data in Ontario, check Job Bank (Tilesetters, NOC 73101):

Working conditions

  • Work settings: new builds, renovations, commercial towers, Retail stores, hospitals, schools, luxury homes, condos, pools, and public spaces.
  • Hours: mostly daytime on weekdays; evening/weekend shifts happen for retail fit-outs or quick-turn projects.
  • Physical demands: kneeling, lifting 20–50+ lbs, repetitive motions, standing for long periods, and working in dusty or wet environments.
  • Safety: strict adherence to Ontario’s Occupational Health and Safety Act, silica exposure control, PPE, and Working at Heights where required.
  • Travel: you may work across the GTA or your region; some jobs require short stays at remote sites.
  • Seasonality: interior work continues year-round; exterior stone or terrazzo may be seasonal depending on weather.

Job outlook

Employment prospects vary by region and economic cycle, but infrastructure, commercial development, and ongoing residential demand Support steady needs for skilled installers. Specialized skills (epoxy terrazzo, large-format porcelain, advanced waterproofing, and steam-room systems) increase employability.

Key Skills

Soft skills

  • Attention to detail and a strong sense of craftsmanship.
  • Problem-solving and spatial reasoning for layout challenges.
  • Communication with clients, designers, supervisors, and other trades.
  • Time management and productivity under schedule pressures.
  • Professionalism, reliability, and site etiquette.
  • Teamwork on large projects and independence on small jobs.

Hard skills

  • Substrate assessment and preparation, including leveling and patching.
  • Knowledge of TTMAC standards and Ontario Building Code considerations relevant to wet areas and structural movement (as applicable to finish work).
  • Installation of ceramic, porcelain, marble, granite, quartz, mosaic, and natural stone veneer.
  • Terrazzo placement (epoxy/cementitious), divider strip layout, grinding and polishing.
  • Membranes: waterproofing, vapor/steam control, crack isolation, uncoupling, and sound attenuation.
  • Layout mastery: squaring, centering, pattern alignment, bookmatching and veining in stone.
  • Tool use: wet saws, bridge saws, angle grinders, diamond blades, mixers, notched trowels, beating blocks, laser levels, tile-leveling systems, planetary grinders (terrazzo).
  • Grouting systems: cementitious, epoxy, urethane; sealing, stain management.
  • Reading drawings/specs, quantity takeoffs, and basic estimating.
  • Site safety: silica dust control, respirators, WHMIS, Working at Heights.

Advantages and Disadvantages

Advantages:

  • High demand for skilled trades in Ontario; solid long-term career prospects.
  • Clear apprenticeship pathway with paid on-the-job learning.
  • Opportunities to specialize (epoxy terrazzo, large-format panels, heritage stone).
  • Visible, satisfying results—your work transforms spaces.
  • Potential for self-employment and business ownership.
  • Red Seal mobility if you wish to work across Canada.

Disadvantages:

  • Physically demanding: heavy lifting, kneeling, and repetitive motions.
  • Dust/noise exposure; strict safety requirements for silica and cutting.
  • Variable job sites and schedules; occasional evenings/weekends.
  • Weather can affect exterior stone/terrazzo work.
  • Starting wages as an apprentice are modest until you gain experience.

Expert Opinion

If you’re building a career in tile, stone, and terrazzo in Ontario, focus on three pillars: standards, specialization, and relationships.

  • Standards: Learn and live by TTMAC specifications and manufacturer instructions. Quality—and fewer callbacks—come from correct substrate prep, movement joints, and proper product selection for each environment (e.g., steam rooms vs. standard showers).
  • Specialization: Develop an edge. Consider training in epoxy terrazzo, large-format porcelain panels, heated floors, and advanced waterproofing systems. These skills command higher rates and open doors to complex commercial projects.
  • Relationships: Ontario’s construction scene is network-driven. Build a reputation with general contractors, designers, and suppliers. Keep a clean jobsite, communicate clearly, and finish on time. Document your work with photos to create a professional portfolio for clients and employers.

Finally, invest early in premium tools, a reliable vehicle, and safety certifications. The combination of craftsmanship, consistency, and credibility is what turns a good installer into a sought-after professional in this market.

FAQ

Do I need a licence to work as a Terrazzo, Tile, and Marble Setter in Ontario?

This is a non-compulsory trade in Ontario, so a licence is not legally required to work. However, completing an apprenticeship and earning a Certificate of Qualification (and the optional Red Seal endorsement) will help you access better jobs and pay, especially on commercial/industrial projects. Learn more: https://www.skilledtradesontario.ca/trades/tilesetter/

What safety training is mandatory before I can work on construction sites?

Most Ontario construction sites require Working at Heights training if there’s any risk of falling, and WHMIS for hazardous materials. Employers may also require silica awareness, respirator fit-testing, and first aid. Details:

How is terrazzo different from tile and marble installation?

Tile and marble involve setting pre-made tiles or stone slabs. Terrazzo involves installing divider strips, then placing a mixture (cementitious or epoxy-based) with marble, glass, or metal aggregates, curing it, then grinding and polishing to reveal the pattern. Terrazzo requires specialized equipment (mixers, rollers, planetary grinders) and techniques; it’s common in high-traffic public buildings.

Can I start my own tile and stone business in Ontario?

Yes. Many installers become independent contractors. You’ll need to register your business, set up tax accounts, obtain liability Insurance, follow health and safety rules, and, in construction, register with WSIB for mandatory coverage. Helpful links:

How do I find an apprenticeship and get my in-class training scheduled?

Start by finding an employer willing to sponsor you as an apprentice. You and the employer then register your training agreement with the province. A Training Consultant can help match you to a Training Delivery Agent for your in-class levels. Resources:

Are there industry standards I should follow for Ontario projects?

Yes. In Canada, installers follow TTMAC (Terrazzo, Tile and Marble Association of Canada) standards for design, installation, movement joints, and materials. Ontario clients, architects, and builders often specify TTMAC standards in contracts. See: https://ttmac.com/en/

What tools should I own first as a new apprentice?

Start with the essentials: notched trowels, margin and pointing trowels, buckets, mixing paddle, tile spacers and leveling clips, rubber mallet, grout floats (including epoxy-rated), utility knife, tape measures, straightedges, spirit/laser level, knee pads, angle grinder with diamond blades, and access to a wet saw. As you progress, invest in a high-quality wet saw or bridge saw, vacuum with HEPA filtration for silica control, and specialty tools for large-format panels and terrazzo polishing systems.

By focusing on quality, safety, and continuous learning, you can build a strong career as a Terrazzo, Tile, and Marble Setter in Ontario—creating durable, beautiful finishes that stand the test of time.