Occupation · SOC 47-2041
Carpet Installers
Lay and install carpet from rolls or blocks on floors. Install padding and trim flooring materials.
Median wage
$49,850
$32,830–$83,200
Projected growth
-9.8%
Declining
Annual openings
-190
per year
Employed (US)
14,980
Job Zone 2
Typical preparation
Some preparation
Stackable credential programs
34 mapped
Core skills
MonitoringCoordinationMathematicsCritical ThinkingQuality Control AnalysisTime Management
Knowledge areas
Customer and Personal ServiceMathematicsAdministration and ManagementEnglish LanguageBuilding and Construction
Technology & tools
Computer aided design CAD softwareData base user interface and query softwareProject management softwareSpreadsheet softwareOffice suite software
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.Clean up before and after installation, including vacuuming carpet and discarding remnant pieces.Measure, cut and install tackless strips along the baseboard or wall.Nail tack strips around area to be carpeted or use old strips to attach edges of new carpet.Cut carpet padding to size and install padding, following prescribed method.Fasten metal treads across door openings or where carpet meets flooring to hold carpet in place.Draw building diagrams and record dimensions.Move furniture from area to be carpeted and remove old carpet and padding.Cut and bind material.
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Floor surface conditions — recognize and report common imperfections such as uneven subfloor areas under direct supervisor guidance on a residential job site.Carpet rolls and measuring tape — roll out and measure carpet lengths following marked floor sketches with close oversight from an experienced installer.Carpet knife — cut carpet to approximate size along marked lines under direct supervision in a controlled indoor installation environment.Tack strips and staples — assist in securing carpet edges to tack strips following step-by-step direction on a standard residential floor.Basic floor sketches — read and interpret simple layout diagrams to identify the area to be carpeted under trainer supervision.Seaming tape and carpet iron — observe and assist with basic carpet seam joining under direct instruction on a straightforward installation project.Wall trimmer — trim carpet edges along straight wall runs with guidance from a journeyman installer in a residential setting.Carpet adhesive — apply prescribed adhesive to subfloor sections following written instructions and direct oversight on a simple glue-down installation.Hand tools and knee kicker — learn to operate basic stretching tools under supervision to achieve initial carpet alignment along one wall.Material quantity estimates — assist in basic calculations of carpet area needed using simple measurements and a floor sketch under supervisor review.
developing
Subfloor surface defects — inspect and correct common imperfections such as bumps and loose boards independently before carpet installation on residential projects.Carpet layout plan — determine seam placement and traffic-pattern orientation with minimal oversight to maximize wear and appearance on standard floor plans.Carpet knife and straight edge — measure, mark, and cut carpet rolls to required dimensions accurately across varied room shapes on routine installation jobs.Seam edges — join carpet sections using heat-activated tape and a carpet iron to produce clean, durable seams on mid-complexity residential floors.Wall trimmer and edge tools — cut and finish carpet edges neatly around doorways, closets, and projections on a variety of standard residential openings.Power stretcher — stretch and align carpet smoothly across full room widths, securing over tack strips with consistent tension on wood and concrete subfloors.Adhesive installation method — apply carpet adhesive following manufacturer specifications and prescribed layout patterns on low-pile commercial tile or glue-down projects.Floor sketches and measurements — calculate total carpet area and required material quantities independently for single-room and multi-room residential projects.Schedule coordination — manage personal daily task sequence to complete installations within agreed customer time windows on routine residential assignments.Quality checks — monitor finished carpet surface for bubbles, gaps, and seam visibility, making corrections before final sign-off on standard installations.
proficient
Complex subfloor conditions — diagnose and remediate moisture, unevenness, and structural issues to ensure long-term carpet performance across commercial and residential environments.Multi-room layout planning — design optimal carpet layout and seam placement across interconnected rooms, accounting for traffic patterns, pattern matching, and material efficiency.Precise cutting and fitting — measure, mark, and cut specialty carpet types including patterned and high-pile styles with minimal waste across irregular room configurations.Seaming techniques — select and execute sewing or heat-bonding seam methods appropriate to carpet type and installation conditions for virtually invisible joins on demanding projects.Full-scope edge finishing — trim and fit carpet cleanly around complex projections, built-ins, curved walls, and stair nosings using advanced hand-tool techniques.Stretching and tensioning — use power stretchers and knee kickers to achieve proper tension across large commercial floor areas, preventing future buckling or rippling.Adhesive and fastener selection — choose the correct adhesive type, tack strip gauge, or fastening method based on subfloor material and carpet specifications on non-routine projects.Material takeoff calculations — produce accurate material and cost estimates from architect floor plans and site measurements for competitive bidding on mid-scale commercial jobs.Critical problem-solving — identify and resolve installation challenges such as out-of-square rooms or hidden utility conflicts without supervisor input during active job-site work.Installation quality assurance — conduct thorough post-installation inspection against quality standards, documenting defects and directing corrective action before customer walkthrough.
advanced
Crew performance standards — establish installation quality benchmarks and train apprentice and developing installers in technique, safety, and professional conduct across all project types.Project layout strategy — develop and communicate comprehensive carpet installation plans for large-scale commercial or multi-unit residential projects, integrating design and structural requirements.Workforce scheduling — coordinate multiple installation crews across simultaneous job sites using scheduling software to meet project deadlines and optimize labor utilization.Technical troubleshooting leadership — diagnose and resolve complex, high-stakes installation failures such as adhesive delamination or large-area rippling, minimizing client disruption and rework cost.Material procurement oversight — evaluate carpet products, adhesives, and fastening systems from multiple suppliers and establish purchasing standards that balance quality, cost, and sustainability.Estimating and bidding systems — design and implement repeatable takeoff and estimating processes using spreadsheet and project management tools to ensure profitable, competitive proposals.Customer and stakeholder relations — communicate installation scope, timelines, and quality expectations clearly to general contractors, property managers, and end clients on high-value projects.Organizational quality program — develop inspection checklists, corrective-action protocols, and outcome metrics that drive continuous improvement across the full installation operation.Mentorship and credential pathways — design structured on-the-job learning programs that guide new hires from entry level to proficient status in alignment with industry training standards.Business operations guidance — apply knowledge of administration, scheduling, and production processes to support company growth, resource planning, and operational efficiency at the organizational level.
Also known as
25 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
Builder (Navy 002594)Carpet TechnicianWall-to-Wall Carpet InstallerCommercial Floor Covering InstallerCarpet Tile LayerFloor Coverer InstallerCavalry Scout (Army 19D)Carpet Installation SpecialistFloor CovererResidential Carpet InstallerCarpet Cleaning Tech (Carpet Cleaning Technician)Wheeled Vehicle Repairer (Army 91B)Carpet MechanicCarpet LayerRug LayerFloor TechnicianBuilder (Navy BU)Commercial Carpet InstallerInstallerCarpentry and Masonry Specialist (Army 12W)Floor Installation MechanicFloor Covering InstallerSubcontractor InstallerFlooring InstallerCarpet Installer