Tile is durable, waterproof, and endlessly varied — and the labor to set it is most of what you pay for. Tile installation costs $7 to $20 per square foot in 2026, averaging around $12 with labor included.
What you’re paying for
The tile itself can be cheap; setting it isn’t. You’re paying for skilled labor — leveling, backer board, precise cuts, spacing, and grouting — which often runs half the total or more. Material is the smaller, more variable half.
Tile type and pattern drive price
Ceramic and porcelain are the budget-friendly, durable choices. Natural stone costs more and needs sealing. And a complex layout — herringbone, mosaics, large-format — adds labor no matter the tile.
Don’t skip the prep
Backer board, leveling, and waterproofing (especially in showers) are what keep tile from cracking or leaking. It’s part of the cost for a reason.
How to save on tile installation
- Choose ceramic or porcelain over stone for the best value.
- Keep the layout simple — a straight grid sets faster than diagonal or mosaic.
- DIY a simple floor if you’re handy; leave showers to pros.
- Prep the subfloor properly so the tile lasts and doesn’t crack.
| Item | Typical range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Tile material | $1 – $15 / sq ft | – |
| Installation labor | $4 – $10 / sq ft | – |
| Thinset, grout, supplies | $1 – $3 / sq ft | – |
| Subfloor / backer board prep | $1 – $4 / sq ft | – |
| Old flooring removal | $1 – $3 / sq ft | – |
| Option | Typical range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Ceramic | $7 – $14 / sq ft | Budget-friendly, easy to cut |
| Porcelain | $8 – $16 / sq ft | Harder, water-resistant |
| Natural stone (marble, slate) | $12 – $25 / sq ft | Premium; needs sealing |
| Mosaic / specialty | $15 – $30 / sq ft | Labor-intensive to set |
What affects the price
- Tile type & size Ceramic and porcelain are affordable; stone and mosaics cost more. Very large or very small tiles both add labor.
- Pattern complexity Diagonal, herringbone, and intricate layouts take longer to set than a simple grid.
- Surface prep Backer board, leveling, and waterproofing for showers and wet areas add to the base cost.
- Floor vs. wall Wall and shower tile is more labor-intensive than floor tile, raising the per-square-foot rate.
- Removal Tearing out old tile or flooring and prepping the subfloor are common add-ons.
Tile installation cost by state
Where you live can change the price as much as the options you pick. Labor is a big part of the bill, and construction workers are paid more in some states than others. A typical tile installation job costs about $8.20 to $23 per sq ft in Hawaii (17% above the U.S. average). In Arkansas, it costs about $5.95 to $17 per sq ft (15% below the U.S. average).
See the typical cost in all 50 states and D.C.
| State | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $6.10 – $17/sq ft |
| Alaska | $8.05 – $23/sq ft |
| Arizona | $6.65 – $19/sq ft |
| Arkansas | $5.95 – $17/sq ft |
| California | $7.85 – $22/sq ft |
| Colorado | $7 – $20/sq ft |
| Connecticut | $7.50 – $21/sq ft |
| Delaware | $6.85 – $20/sq ft |
| District of Columbia | $7.55 – $22/sq ft |
| Florida | $6.35 – $18/sq ft |
| Georgia | $6.45 – $18/sq ft |
| Hawaii | $8.20 – $23/sq ft |
| Idaho | $6.60 – $19/sq ft |
| Illinois | $8.05 – $23/sq ft |
| Indiana | $7.05 – $20/sq ft |
| Iowa | $6.80 – $19/sq ft |
| Kansas | $6.65 – $19/sq ft |
| Kentucky | $6.50 – $19/sq ft |
| Louisiana | $6.30 – $18/sq ft |
| Maine | $6.85 – $20/sq ft |
| Maryland | $7 – $20/sq ft |
| Massachusetts | $8.05 – $23/sq ft |
| Michigan | $7 – $20/sq ft |
| Minnesota | $7.65 – $22/sq ft |
| Mississippi | $6.10 – $17/sq ft |
| Missouri | $7.15 – $20/sq ft |
| Montana | $6.85 – $20/sq ft |
| Nebraska | $6.60 – $19/sq ft |
| Nevada | $7.20 – $21/sq ft |
| New Hampshire | $6.95 – $20/sq ft |
| New Jersey | $8 – $23/sq ft |
| New Mexico | $6.45 – $18/sq ft |
| New York | $7.70 – $22/sq ft |
| North Carolina | $6.30 – $18/sq ft |
| North Dakota | $7.05 – $20/sq ft |
| Ohio | $7 – $20/sq ft |
| Oklahoma | $6.35 – $18/sq ft |
| Oregon | $7.70 – $22/sq ft |
| Pennsylvania | $7.05 – $20/sq ft |
| Rhode Island | $7.30 – $21/sq ft |
| South Carolina | $6.35 – $18/sq ft |
| South Dakota | $6.30 – $18/sq ft |
| Tennessee | $6.45 – $18/sq ft |
| Texas | $6.35 – $18/sq ft |
| Utah | $6.60 – $19/sq ft |
| Vermont | $6.80 – $19/sq ft |
| Virginia | $6.65 – $19/sq ft |
| Washington | $8.10 – $23/sq ft |
| West Virginia | $6.65 – $19/sq ft |
| Wisconsin | $7.30 – $21/sq ft |
| Wyoming | $6.95 – $20/sq ft |
These are numbers to plan with, not quotes. Each one is this guide's U.S. range, adjusted for what construction workers earn in that state. See every state cost guide or how we estimate.
Common questions
- How much does it cost to tile a floor?
- Tile installation runs $7–$20 per square foot including labor, averaging about $12. A 200 sq ft floor totals roughly $1,400–$4,000 depending on tile type and prep.
- Why is tile labor so expensive?
- Setting tile is skilled, slow work — leveling, backer board, precise cuts, spacing, and grouting. Labor is often half or more of the total, and intricate patterns or small tiles push it higher.
- Is porcelain or ceramic tile cheaper?
- Ceramic is usually a bit cheaper and easier to cut; porcelain costs a little more but is harder and more water-resistant, making it the better pick for floors and wet areas.
- How much does it cost to tile a shower?
- Shower tiling runs higher than floor tile — often $2,000–$5,000 — because of waterproofing, niches, and the labor of setting wall and floor tile in a small, detailed space.
- Can I install tile myself?
- Simple floor tile is a doable DIY with patience and the right tools. Showers, large-format tile, and natural stone are where pros earn their fee — mistakes in waterproofing or layout are costly to fix.
How we estimate: These are typical U.S. prices for materials and for hiring a pro to install them. We checked them against the 2026 sources listed below (see how we get our numbers). Your price depends on where you live, the size of the job and the materials you pick. Get two or three written bids before you choose a contractor.
Sources
We checked the prices on this page against 2026 numbers from these sources:
- Tile Installation Cost (2026), HomeGuide
- How Much Does Tile Installation Cost?, Angi
- How Much Does Tile Installation Cost?, Bob Vila