Why So Many Flooring Installers Are Retiring — And What That Means for Labor Costs (Especially in Evansville)
A Comprehensive 2025 Industry Analysis + Local Insight for Homeowners & Job Seekers
Introduction: A Quiet Crisis in the Flooring Industry
Across the United States — and especially here in Evansville, Indiana — the flooring industry is feeling the pressure of a major workforce shift. Veteran flooring installers, many with decades of hands-on experience, are retiring at a rapid pace. Meanwhile, far too few new workers are entering the trade to replace them.
This imbalance is already affecting homeowners, contractors, manufacturers, and flooring companies. It’s driving up labor prices, slowing down project timelines, and creating intense competition for skilled workers. But for those willing to learn the trade, the shortage also presents huge opportunities.
In this long-form pillar post, we’ll break down:
Why flooring installers are retiring so quickly
What the latest industry statistics really say
How the labor shortage is impacting Evansville specifically
Why labor prices are expected to rise even more
How River City Flooring Pros is addressing the shortage through apprenticeships
Why now is the perfect time to start a flooring installation career
How local job seekers can get started
This is your complete guide to understanding the flooring installer shortage of 2025 — and how Evansville’s own River City Flooring Pros is stepping up to prepare the next generation.
Section 1: The Flooring Workforce Is Aging — Fast
The flooring industry is unique in that it relies heavily on long-time, highly skilled installers. Most flooring pros learned through hands-on experience, apprenticeship, or family trade.
But here’s the concern:
The average flooring installer in the U.S. is now 56–57 years old.
Industry leaders are warning that a retirement wave is already underway — and accelerating.
Many installers who began their careers in the late ‘80s and early ‘90s are leaving the workforce, taking decades of knowledge with them. The list of “master craftsmen” is shrinking every year.
The problem?
Not enough young installers are entering the trade to replace them.
And unlike some trades where training programs are widely available, flooring installation has fewer accessible pipelines.
That means:
Apprenticeships are limited
Training depends heavily on individual contractors
Older installers retire faster than new installers can be trained
The result?
A widening skills gap — one that experts say could last 10–15 years unless major improvements are made.
Section 2: The Latest Industry Stats Reveal a Deepening Shortage
Here are the most relevant, trustworthy data points shaping the industry as of 2024–2025:
1. The U.S. flooring industry may be losing 4,000–6,000 skilled installers per year due to retirements.
Some estimates put the loss even higher in certain regions.
2. The U.S. will see roughly 8,400 flooring installer/tile setter job openings every year for the next decade.
Most openings are due to retirements — not growth.
3. Indiana and Evansville are major hotspots for labor shortages.
A statewide review of the construction sector found:
Strong growth in construction
Severe difficulty filling trade roles
Labor shortages even during economic slowdowns
Installers and finishers among the toughest positions to fill
4. Vanderburgh County’s unemployment rate is LOW
As of mid-2025, local unemployment is around 3.6% — a clear sign of a tight labor market.
In other words: skilled workers have plenty of job options.
5. Flooring installers are earning more — and wages are climbing.
Average flooring and finishing trades wages in Southern Indiana have been rising, in some areas hitting:
$24–$32/hr for trained installers
$40+/hr for specialized or premium flooring installers
And wages are expected to continue increasing as the labor shortage intensifies.
Section 3: Why Fewer People Are Entering the Trade
The installer shortage isn’t happening by accident — it’s the product of several long-term trends.
1. Trades Aren’t Being Promoted in Schools Anymore
For decades, high schools encouraged college pathways over trades. As a result…
Shop classes disappeared
Skilled trades lost visibility
Students weren’t exposed to hands-on careers
This removed the “feeder system” that once supplied flooring companies with young talent.
2. Flooring Installation Isn’t Taught Enough in Technical Schools
Plenty of tech programs exist for electricians, HVAC, mechanics, and welding — but flooring? Very few.
3. The Job Requires Skill, Patience, and Precision
Unlike unskilled labor, flooring installation requires:
Perfect measurements
Knowledge of materials
Subfloor preparation
Humidity management
Moisture testing
Pattern layout
Specialized tools
That takes time to learn — usually through apprenticeship.
4. Immigration Changes Have Reduced Labor Pools
A significant percentage of flooring installers in many states are foreign-born.
With immigration tightening in recent years, some regions have seen significant labor losses.
Section 4: How This Shortage Impacts Evansville Homeowners
1. Labor Costs Will Continue to Rise
As installers become harder to find, wages increase — and installation prices follow.
For example:
A hardwood install that cost $4/sq ft five years ago may now run $6–$8/sq ft or more.
LVP installation prices have risen 20–35% in some areas.
2. Longer Wait Times
High-demand seasons (spring and fall) can book out weeks or months in advance.
3. Risk of Low-Quality Installations
Some companies — desperate for labor — hire undertrained workers.
This leads to:
LVP gaps
Buckling hardwood
Tile lippage
Uneven transitions
Warranties being voided
4. Increased Value of Skilled Local Installers
More homeowners are choosing companies with:
Apprenticeship programs
Documented training
Long-standing experience
Strong community presence
Why?
Because skilled installers are becoming rare — and quality matters more than ever.
Section 5: How River City Flooring Pros Is Preparing the Next Generation of Installers
This is where River City Flooring Pros stands out in the Evansville area.
Many companies talk about the labor shortage — but we’re doing something about it.
Meet Owner Timothy Kaufman — Evansville’s Flooring Mentor
For years, Timothy Kaufman, owner of River City Flooring Pros, has taken a leadership role in training the next generation of local installers.
Through hands-on apprenticeships, Timothy has:
Trained young men and women in real projects
Passed down decades of installation expertise
Built a pipeline of highly skilled local flooring professionals
Helped apprentices turn the trade into a long-term career
Strengthened Evansville’s local skilled workforce
Timothy believes:
“A great installer isn’t born — they’re trained. If we want high-quality flooring in Evansville, we need to invest in people willing to learn the craft.”
Apprenticeships Produce Better Installers
River City Flooring Pros’ apprenticeship program focuses on:
Subfloor prep & leveling
Moisture testing
Installing vinyl plank, tile, hardwood, laminate & carpet
Layout and design
Cutting, fitting & transitions
Customer service
Jobsite safety
Apprentices learn everything — not just “how to lay boards.”
Why This Matters for Evansville Residents
Because River City Flooring Pros trains its own workforce:
Quality stays high
Labor availability stays reliable
Pricing stays fair
Evansville gains skilled tradespeople instead of losing them
This is the future of flooring — and it’s happening here locally.
Section 6: Why Now Is the BEST Time to Start a Flooring Career in Evansville
If you're reading this because you're curious about flooring installation as a career, here’s the truth:
There has never been a better time.
Here’s why:
1. The industry desperately needs new installers
With thousands retiring, companies like River City Flooring Pros are actively looking for:
Apprentices
Entry-level helpers
Trainees
2. Wages are rising
Skilled installers make excellent money — often more than college graduates with debt.
3. College is expensive — but trade training is FREE
Our apprenticeships cost you nothing.
Earn while you learn.
4. The work is steady and essential
There will always be demand for flooring installers, because:
Homes need new flooring
Businesses remodel
Water damage requires repairs
Products change
Trends evolve
5. Evansville is a growth market
With new construction and steady remodeling demand, the need for installers isn’t going away.
Section 7: Want to Become a Flooring Installer? Join River City Flooring Pros.
If you're searching for:
flooring installer jobs Evansville IN
flooring apprenticeship Evansville Indiana
skilled trade jobs Evansville
flooring installation training Evansville
construction trade jobs in Southern Indiana
…then you’re already in the right place.
River City Flooring Pros is building the next generation of flooring experts — and you can be part of it.
Who We Hire:
Motivated workers
People who enjoy hands-on work
Individuals seeking career stability
Anyone who wants a trade, not just a job
What You Get:
Paid training
Real job experience
Expert mentorship
A long-term career path
Excellent earning potential
A supportive, family-owned company
If you're ready to start a rewarding, respected trade career, River City Flooring Pros wants to hear from you.
Conclusion: A Shortage That Creates Opportunity
The flooring industry is at a crossroads.
Retirements are accelerating.
Labor shortages are growing.
Prices are rising.
Quality installers are harder to find than ever.
But instead of seeing this as a crisis, River City Flooring Pros in Evansville, Indiana, sees it as an opportunity — to train, to grow, and to build the future of flooring right here in our community.
Because when experienced leaders like Timothy Kaufman pass down their knowledge, the trade stays alive — and Evansville benefits for decades to come.
Interested in a career as a flooring installer?
Apply at River City Flooring Pros today.
Build a future. Learn a trade. Earn great pay.
No experience required — just a willingness to work and learn.
