Why We Love It
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$42,520Potential Avg. Salary
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12.3%Job Growth Rate
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Growing DemandJob Outlook
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Don't Take Work HomeCareer Attribute
A laminate and vinyl floor installer is a type of construction worker that is skilled at measuring, shaping and installing laminate and vinyl floors.
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What is a Laminate & Vinyl Floor Installer?
Duties
Laminate and vinyl floor installers perform the following duties:
- Work alongside architects, engineers and client to ensure that the required flooring material and best possible layout is being implemented.
- Prepare the assigned surface for flooring installation by closely inspecting and cleaning it.
- Assess the supplies required for a project and order the correct flooring materials and tools.
- Install additional protection for the flooring surface such as a padded under-layer for noise reduction, or a levelled sub-floor.
- Be sure to clean up once the floor installation is complete, which includes removing leftover adhesives, clearing the new flooring of debris and replacing defective parts.
Day In The Life
During a regular day of work, your time will be spent driving to different project sites to remove the existing flooring, assess and provide a quote on the services required, then install the new laminate or vinyl floor. A significant part of the job includes interacting with a wide range of customers by patiently addressing their concerns, providing more information about your organisation and negotiating the cost of services rendered.
While completing the floor installation is one thing, you are also expected to clean up the work area before leaving and safely dispose of used construction materials. To give speedy solutions to clients, most professional floor installers carry their own equipment and materials to wherever the job takes them.
Work Schedule
Laminate and vinyl floor installers typically work standard business hours but can also be required at odd times of the day for work at residences and commercial property. While most of the work is indoors, you may also work on outdoor surfaces like tennis courts. You must be comfortable working around excess dust and adhesive fumes. As the project might demand, you could also travel between towns and to other nearby areas.
Growth Of The Job
As a flooring installer, you can gradually take up a supervisory or contractor role with adequate experience. Working your way up in this field requires superior knowledge of the trade and the ability to work on projects with integrity. Installers that own their own vehicle and tools are considered to have better chances of success than those who do not. With enough exposure to different skills and tools in flooring installation, you will own a retail business or provide training to aspiring candidates for entry level positions.
Typical Employers
More than half of flooring technicians are self-employed, and their success is dependent on how well the business is doing. Others work for large private companies in construction and floor manufacturing as part of the building contractors’ industry.
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How To Become a Laminate & Vinyl Floor Installer
If you want a career as a flooring installer, there are no specific requirements for entering this profession. However, having a high school diploma or its equivalent, will be beneficial for future job prospects. You may choose to develop your skills at a formal training program at community college or a vocational institute. It is essential that you are physically fit as the role involves strenuous activity like heavy lifting and bending or crouching for long hours while installing floors. If you suffer from respiratory problems, this career path would be a difficult choice for you due to frequent exposure to solvents and flying dust during construction.
Working as an apprentice is a great way to start out in this industry, so you can master the basics before embarking on an independent venture. Apprenticeship programs can be completed in two to four years and requires you to complete technical instruction classes estimated at 140 hours. For instance, flooring installers have to be familiar with various tools like saws, staplers and other equipment used for carpentry. Tile chipping tools and drills may also be used to shape tiles to fit the surface without disrupting existing pipelines. Learning the trade from a more experienced flooring installer will also give you the chance to expand your networks for job opportunities.
To be a contractor or full-time professional for laminate and vinyl floor installation, you should own a business license and complete any mandatory skills training. Having completed a relevant course in finance or accounting is helpful to keep track of completed projects. Depending on the state or local area, you may also need to carry a commercial liability insurance before taking on some projects.
Laminate & Vinyl Floor Installer Salary Data
We’ve provided you the following to learn more about this career. The salary and growth data on this page comes from recently published Bureau of Labor Statistics data while the recommendations and editorial content are based on our research.
National Anual Salary
Low Range
$29,240Average
$42,520High Range
$72,130National Hourly Wage
Low Range
$14/hrAverage
$20/hrHigh Range
$35/hrHow do Laminate & Vinyl Floor Installer salaries stack up to other jobs across the country? Based on the latest jobs data nationwide, Laminate & Vinyl Floor Installer's can make an average annual salary of $42,520, or $20 per hour. This makes it an Above Average Salary. On the lower end, they can make $29,240 or $14 per hour, perhaps when just starting out or based on the state you live in.
Salary Rankings And Facts
#484 Nationally for All Careers
Highest Education Among Laminate & Vinyl Floor Installers
- 0.1% Doctorate
- 0.4% Masters
- 2.8% Bachelors
- 3.6% Associates
- 15.2% College
- 41.7% High School
- 36.4% Less than High School
Job Growth Projections and Forecast
2014 Total Jobs
17,1002024 Est. Jobs
19,200Job Growth Rate
12.3%Est. New Jobs
2,100How does Laminate & Vinyl Floor Installer job growth stack up to other jobs across the country? By 2024, there will be a change of 2,100 jobs for a total of 19,200 people employed in the career nationwide. This is a 12.3% change in growth over the next ten years, giving the career a growth rate nationwide of Below Average.
Growth Rankings And Facts
#142 Nationally for All Careers
What Companies Employ The Most Laminate & Vinyl Floor Installers
| Industry | Current Jobs | New Jobs Needed | % Increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| Self-employed workers | 7,200 | 300 | 0% |
| Home furnishings stores | 1,900 | 200 | 0% |
| Residential building construction | 300 | --- | --- |
