Stonemason
Build and repair walls, buildings and features with natural and cut stone.
- $57,390
- 3–4 year apprenticeship
Energy & Utilities career
Quarry Rock Splitter
Also called: Rock Splitter · Stone Splitter · Quarry Worker · Block Cutter
What quarry rock splitters do, what they earn, how long training takes and how to get started, with official BLS pay data and practical, job-level detail.
What does a quarry rock splitter do?
Rock splitters, quarry, separate blocks of rough dimension stone from quarry mass using jackhammers, wedges and other tools. The median pay is $48,740 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about A few weeks on the job, and employment is projected to grow +5.8% from 2025–35.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
- Median pay$48,740$23.44/hour · May 2025
- Job growth+5.8%2025–35, faster than average
- Openings per year400Average, 2025–35
- Typical entry educationNo formal educational credentialBLS classification
- Time to trainA few weeks on the jobTypical program length
- U.S. jobs3,500Employment, 2025
What quarry rock splitters do
Rock splitters free stone from the earth. They drill holes, drive wedges and feathers, use saws and splitters to cut granite, limestone and marble blocks, and trim stone for building and landscaping.
No formal education is required, and training is short. It is a small occupation; BLS projects faster than average growth.
Typical duties
- Drill holes
- Drive wedges
- Split blocks
- Saw stone
- Trim stone
- Move blocks
- Inspect stone
Work environment and schedule
Rock splitters work outdoors at quarries.
Schedule: Full time, seasonal in some areas.
A day in the life
- Safety briefing.
- Mark split lines.
- Drill holes.
- Set wedges and feathers.
See a full day in the life of a quarry rock splitter →
Quarry Rock Splitter salary
Half of quarry rock splitters earned more than $48,740 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $37,340 for the lowest 10% to $67,710 for the top 10%.
Full quarry rock splitter pay scale and hourly rates →
How to become a quarry rock splitter
- Complete MSHA training
- Get hired at a quarry
- Learn splitting
- Learn saws
- Advance
No formal educational credential is required.
Step-by-step guide to becoming a quarry rock splitter →
Skills and tools
Technical skills
- Drilling
- Splitting
- Stone sawing
- Reading grain
- Equipment operation
People skills
- Stamina
- Attention to detail
- Teamwork
- Safety focus
All quarry rock splitter skills and tools →
Pros and cons
Pros
- Faster-than-average growth
- Outdoor craft
- No degree needed
- Physical work
Cons
- Heavy work
- Dust and noise
- Weather
- Injury risk
Certifications and licenses
- MSHA Part 46: Required at quarries.
- Silica training: Required.
- Forklift or loader certification: Helpful.
- First aid: Helpful.
Career path
- Quarry Laborer: Entry.
- Rock Splitter: Split.
- Lead: Lead.
- Quarry Supervisor: Supervise.
Learn the job before day one
Our Quarry Rock Splitter training (6 hours, $59.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as split stone with wedges and feathers and read stone grain before splitting, safety and how to land your first job.
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Compare: Quarry Rock Splitter vs. Stonemason · Quarry Rock Splitter vs. Blaster · Quarry Rock Splitter vs. Crushing Machine Operator · Quarry Rock Splitter vs. Extraction Helper
Quarry Rock Splitter FAQ
Is the job growing?
BLS projects faster than average growth, but it’s small.
Do I need experience?
No.
Is silica a concern?
Yes, dust controls are required.
How much does a quarry rock splitter make?
The median annual wage for quarry rock splitters was $48,740 ($23.44 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $37,340 and the highest 10% earned more than $67,710.
How long does it take to become a quarry rock splitter?
Most people need about A few weeks on the job of training. No formal educational credential is required.
Do you need a degree to be a quarry rock splitter?
No four-year degree is typically required. BLS lists “no formal educational credential” as the typical entry-level education, plus short-term on-the-job training.
More quarry rock splitter questions →
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 47-5051 (Rock splitters, quarry).
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
- O*NET OnLine summary for Rock splitters, quarry (U.S. Department of Labor).
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.