Installers may develop knee and back problems because they kneel while they work. Hazards include breathing glue fumes and cuts from sharp tools. Sometimes floor and carpet layers have to move heavy furniture. They frequently wear kneepads and occasionally wear goggles. Many floor and carpet layers belong to unions.
Wages vary with training, experience and location.
Entry level wages may be lower. Pay varies by area of the country and union membership. Nonunion carpet installers are paid by the number of yards of carpet installed. In contrast, union carpet installers are usually paid by the hour. Apprentices generally earn about half the wage of experienced carpet layers.