How Much Does a Tiler Earn in Australia in 2026? (And How to Earn More)
How Much Does a Tiler Earn in Australia in 2026? (And How to Earn More)
A tiler in Australia earns between 5,000 and 30,000+ per year in 2026, depending on experience, state, and whether they're an employee, sole trader, or running their own business. Sole traders and business owners who systemise their quoting and follow-up consistently earn 20–40% more than those doing the same quality work without business systems in place.
Average Tiler Income in Australia (2026)
By Employment Type
| Employment Type | Annual Income Range (AUD) |
|---|---|
| Apprentice tiler (1st year) | 5,000 – 5,000 |
| Apprentice tiler (3rd–4th year) | 0,000 – 5,000 |
| Qualified employee tiler | 0,000 – 5,000 |
| Senior/leading hand tiler | 0,000 – 00,000 |
| Sole trader tiler | 5,000 – 30,000 |
| Tiling business owner (team) | 00,000 – 00,000+ |
By State
| State | Avg. Qualified Tiler Annual Income (AUD) |
|---|---|
| New South Wales | 5,000 – 5,000 |
| Victoria | 2,000 – 0,000 |
| Queensland | 0,000 – 2,000 |
| Western Australia | 0,000 – 05,000 |
| South Australia | 5,000 – 2,000 |
| ACT | 8,000 – 5,000 |
| Tasmania | 0,000 – 8,000 |
| Northern Territory | 5,000 – 5,000 |
WA has consistently outpaced the eastern states due to mining construction and infrastructure demand. ACT tilers benefit from strong government and commercial project pipelines.
Tiler Day Rates and Hourly Rates in Australia (2026)
| Rate Type | Low | Mid | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day rate (residential) | 00/day | 50/day | 50/day |
| Day rate (commercial) | 00/day | 50/day | 00/day |
| Square metre rate (floor tiles, standard) | 5/m² | 5/m² | 0/m² |
| Square metre rate (large format tiles) | 0/m² | 5/m² | 30/m² |
| Square metre rate (wall tiles, wet areas) | 0/m² | 5/m² | 15/m² |
| Hourly rate (if applicable) | 5/hr | 5/hr | 5/hr |
Employee vs Sole Trader vs Business Owner: The Income Gap
Qualified Employee Tiler
A qualified tiler working for a building company or contractor earns a reliable 0,000–5,000 in most states. Super is paid on top (11.5% as of 2026), there's no business overhead, and income is consistent. The ceiling is real though — most companies cap leading hand wages around 0,000–00,000.
Sole Trader Tiler
A sole trader tiler working full days commands 00–50/day depending on location, specialisation, and reputation. At 220 working days per year:
- Low end: 00 x 180 billable days = 2,000
- Mid range: 50 x 200 billable days = 10,000
- High end: 50 x 210 billable days = 57,500
The variables separating mid from high: how full your calendar is, how fast you quote, how often you follow up on quotes, and how much pipeline comes from repeat customers.
Tiling Business Owner
Business owners employing one or more tilers can bill ,000–,500/day. After wages, materials, and operating costs, net income can reach 50,000–50,000 in a well-run operation.
Why Some Tilers Earn 20–40% More Than Others
1. Quote Follow-Up
Most tradies send a quote and wait. A tiler who follows up every quote systematically — a call at 3 days, an SMS at 7 days — converts 20–35% more quotes. If you're quoting 0,000/month in work and converting at 40%, you're winning 0,000. Push that to 55% with consistent follow-up and you're winning 7,500 — a ,500/month difference from one habit.
2. Google Reviews
Tilers with 50+ Google reviews command higher rates and have fuller calendars. Most tilers don't systematically ask for reviews. The ones who do — whether manually or via automated SMS after job completion — build a compounding advantage that grows every month.
3. Repeat Customers and Referrals
A tiler who laid floors in a new home build can, three years later, be doing the bathroom renovation. But only if the customer remembers who they used. A 12-month check-in keeps you top of mind at virtually no cost.
4. Speed to Quote
Customers who get a quote within 24 hours are significantly more likely to accept it than those who wait 5–7 days. Speed matters.
How Kabooyaa Helps Tilers Earn More
Kabooyaa is a CRM built for Australian trades. For a tiler, the most impactful features are:
- Automated quote follow-up: When a quote goes out, Kabooyaa automatically sends a follow-up SMS or email at 3 and 7 days if there's no response. You win more jobs without remembering to chase anyone.
- Google review automation: After every completed job, an automatic SMS goes to the customer with a direct link to your Google review page. Most tilers see their review count double within 3 months.
- Missed call text-back: When a call comes in and you're on the tools, an automatic SMS fires back within 30 seconds. You don't lose the enquiry while you're grouting a floor.
- Lead pipeline: All enquiries in one place. See which quotes are pending, which leads need follow-up, and what's converting.
FAQ: Tiler Income in Australia
How much does a tiler earn per hour in Australia?
The average tiler earns between 5 and 5 per hour as a sole trader in 2026, depending on state, experience, and type of work. Most tilers price by day rate or square metre rather than hourly.
How much does a first-year apprentice tiler earn in Australia?
A first-year apprentice tiler typically earns 5,000–5,000 per year, in line with the Building and Construction General On-site Award 2020.
Is tiling a good trade in Australia in 2026?
Yes. Tiling remains in strong demand driven by renovation activity, new residential builds, and commercial fitouts. Experienced tilers — especially those who specialise in large format or commercial work — have full calendars and strong earning potential.
How can a tiler earn more in Australia?
The highest-impact changes: follow up on every quote, systematically collect Google reviews, respond faster to enquiries, and consider specialising in higher-value work. Systems like Kabooyaa help automate follow-up and review processes so you're not relying on memory.
Do tilers charge by square metre or day rate in Australia?
Both are common. Day rates are more common for residential renovation work where scope is variable. Square metre pricing is more common for new builds and larger projects where scope is clear upfront.
Ready to Earn More From Your Tiling Business?
The tilers earning 20,000+ in 2026 aren't necessarily the best tilers. They're the ones who quote fast, follow up consistently, and have a Google listing that sells for them.
See how Kabooyaa helps tilers win more quotes and get more reviews at kabooyaa.com.au
