Rock Splitters, Quarry
Separate blocks of rough dimension stone from quarry mass using jackhammers, wedges, or chop saws.
What it pays
Rock Splitters, Quarry earn a median of $23.44/hr — about $49,000 a year. The lowest-paid 10% earn $17.95/hr; the top 10% earn $32.55/hr. (Annual figures are approximate: hourly × 2,080.)
Rock Splitters, Quarry earn a median of $23.44/hr — about $49,000 a year. The lowest-paid 10% earn $17.95/hr; the top 10% earn $32.55/hr. (Annual figures are approximate: hourly × 2,080.)
What you'd actually do
- Locate grain line patterns to determine how rocks will split when cut.
- Remove pieces of stone from larger masses, using jackhammers, wedges, and other tools.
- Insert wedges and feathers into holes, and drive wedges with sledgehammers to split stone sections from masses.
- Mark dimensions or outlines on stone prior to cutting, using rules and chalk lines.
- Cut slabs of stone into sheets that will be used for floors or counters.
- Set charges of explosives to split rock.
How you get there
Typical entry-level education: Less than high school. Overall preparation: little or no preparation (Job Zone 1 of 5).
The feel of the work
Much of the work happens outdoors; much of the day is spent working solo. (Compared against the other 818 careers in the guide.)
Working for yourself
About 3.3% of rock splitters, quarry are self-employed.
Who it tends to fit
This work tends to fit people who are hands-on and organized and detail-focused.
Work a simulated shift in this job — freeMake the real decisions this job involves, then see what your choices say about you.Related careers
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Quick questions
- How much does a rock splitters, quarry make?
- The median pay is $23.44 per hour — roughly $49,000 a year, with the real range running from about $17.95/hr (10th percentile) to $32.55/hr (90th percentile). Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
- Do you need a degree to be a rock splitters, quarry?
- The typical entry-level education is: Less than high school. Overall preparation level: little or no preparation (Job Zone 1 of 5).
- What does a rock splitters, quarry actually do all day?
- Locate grain line patterns to determine how rocks will split when cut. Remove pieces of stone from larger masses, using jackhammers, wedges, and other tools. Insert wedges and feathers into holes, and drive wedges with sledgehammers to split stone sections from masses.
Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS. Tasks & interests: O*NET. Career pathways shown in the app are draft archetypes — verify before relying on them. Trailhead is a free career guide for students — honest numbers, no hype.
Trailhead is operated by FLEXVermont LLC. It is intended for high-school students age 13 and older, and the educators and families who support them, and is not directed to children under 13. Trailhead is provided for general informational and educational purposes only. It does not offer professional, financial, or career advice, and its wage figures and pathways are estimates that may not fit your situation — they should not be relied on as the sole basis for any decision.
Trailhead is operated by FLEXVermont LLC. It is intended for high-school students age 13 and older, and the educators and families who support them, and is not directed to children under 13. Trailhead is provided for general informational and educational purposes only. It does not offer professional, financial, or career advice, and its wage figures and pathways are estimates that may not fit your situation — they should not be relied on as the sole basis for any decision.