Employment of carpet installers is projected to grow 10 percent from 2010 to 2020, about as fast as the average for all other occupations. Carpet is the most commonly used floor covering in the United States, and the need to replace carpet is the major source of demand for installers. In addition to wearing out, older carpet is replaced when people and businesses want to update their floor coverings.
Competition with other floor coverings, especially tile and hardwood, should offset some of the demand for workers. Residential investors and homeowners are expected to continue to choose these alternatives to carpet because of their durability and low maintenance, and because many owners perceive that hardwood and tile add greater value to their homes.
Job prospects for carpet installers depend, in part, on the amount of new construction taking place in the economy. As construction activity rebounds over the projection decade, job opportunities for carpet installers should improve. In addition to job growth, many job openings will result from the need to replace workers who leave this occupation.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2012-13 Edition