Floor Coverer

Floor coverers install carpet, hardwood, tile, laminate, and other resilient surfaces that can withstand high amounts of foot traffic. Some projects require durable installations that can span thousands of square feet, while others call for custom, decorative elements that draw on the floor coverer’s creativity, planning, and skill. Behind every safe, solid, visually striking flooring installation is a professional floor coverer who knows that the real work lies beneath the surface.

Work Performed by Floor Coverers

There’s more to being a floor coverer than just assembling the pieces of a puzzle. They’re experts in determining the proper tools and materials for each job, creating layouts, and even understanding how temperature and moisture will impact the installation. As a floor coverer apprentice, these are just a few of the jobs you’ll have the opportunity to take on:

  • Measure, cut, and install a variety of flooring materials
  • Inspect and repair damaged floor surfaces
  • Estimate time and material costs
  • Design custom patterns and decorative installations

Floor Coverer Apprenticeship Program Overview

To graduate from floor coverer apprentice to journeyworker, you’ll complete 7,000 hours of on-the-job training (OJT) and 640 hours of classroom learning. Floor coverer apprentices will be evaluated through demonstrations of skill and technique, and standard knowledge exams.

INSTALL Certification

Install LogoAs a floor coverer apprentice, you’ll go through the INSTALL Training Program, which is a dedicated floor covering curriculum developed by the Carpenters International Training Fund with input from industry leaders and manufacturers.

You’ll learn from an elite team of INSTALL instructors as they take you through the program’s nine pillars:Standard Skills, Carpet, Resilient Flooring, Resinous Flooring, Hardwood Flooring, Concrete Polishing, Safety, Productivity and Green Building Awareness.

Contact your local training center to learn more >

Average earnings for all first-year students:

  • $33,436 – $46,363 + benefits*

Sample courses:

  • Introduction to Flooring
  • Square Tile Layout and Installation
  • Substrate Preparation
  • OSHA, First-Aid/CPR

On-the-job training & classroom hours:

  • 1,750 hours of OJT
  • 160 hours of classroom

*Wages vary by area. Contact the local training center for detailed wage estimate.

Average earnings for all second-year students:

  • $45,600 – $63,200 + benefits*

Sample courses:

  • Square Tile Layout, Diagonal Layout
  • Diagonal Tile Layout and Installation
  • Stair Treads, Stringers, and Risers
  • Roto-Vinyl Sheet Flooring

On-the-job training & classroom hours:

  • 1,750 hours of OJT
  • 160 hours of classroom

*Wages vary by area. Contact the local training center for detailed wage estimate.

Average earnings for all third-year students:

  • $51,666 – $71,646 + benefits*

Sample courses:

  • Flat Lay PVC Flooring and Heat Welding
  • Linoleum Flat Lay and Heat Welding
  • Flash Cove Linoleum Heat Welding
  • Flash Cove PVC

On-the-job training & classroom hours:

  • 1,750 hours of OJT
  • 160 hours of classroom

*Wages vary by area. Contact the local training center for detailed wage estimate.

Average earnings for all fourth-year students:

  • $57,748 – $80,077 + benefits*

Sample courses:

  • Carpet Stretch
  • Hardwood Installation
  • Hardwood Sanding and Finishing
  • ICRA “Health Care Construction”

On-the-job training & classroom hours:

  • 1,750 hours of OJT
  • 160 hours of classroom

*Wages vary by area. Contact the local training center for detailed wage estimate.

Average earnings:

  • $60,789 – $84,295 + benefits*

*Wages vary by area. Contact the local training center for detailed wage estimate.

Average earnings:

  • $72,485 – $97,010 + benefits*

*Wages vary by area. Contact the local training center for detailed wage estimate.

Average earnings:

  • $98,100 – $131,018 + benefits*

*Wages vary by area. Contact the local training center for detailed wage estimate.

It Doesn’t Stop at Journeyworker

After successfully completing your apprenticeship and becoming a journeyworker, there’s still opportunity to further advance your career. You may oversee a crew on a job site as a leadperson, or become a foreman or project superintendent. You may even go on to start your own company! Whatever your goals, Carpenters Training Institute will work with you to achieve them.

Continuing Education Courses

    • Install Carpet Certification
    • Sheet Vinyl Basics
    • Stretch Carpet Basics
    • Heat Welding
    • Creating Wood Patterns
    • Any many more!
Matt Bieser
After graduating college with my bachelor’s degree, I found that it would be impossible to provide for my family. I joined the Carpenter’s Union and in three years I made twice as much annually as I would have with my degree. Now I can use my degree and college experience to help support my fellow brothers and sisters so that everyone can make a living wage.
– Matt Bieser, floor coverer apprentice

Get a Head Start on Your Degree

Completing the floor coverer apprenticeship program at Carpenters Training Institute satisfies a portion of the credit requirements for a two-year associate degree at several technical and community colleges in the Midwest.

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