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Career

Rock Splitters, Quarry

Typical education: High school diplomaLower pressure

What they do

Separate blocks of rough dimension stone from quarry mass using jackhammers, wedges, or chop saws.

Kinds of work

  • Realistic: Hands-on work with tools, machines, plants or animals, often outdoors.

Lower pressure: How much pressure workers in this job report: deadlines, conflict, dealing with upset people, the cost of mistakes, responsibility for others' safety, competition and long hours. It varies a lot from one employer to the next. Source: U.S. Department of Labor worker surveys.

Pay, tasks and more

Salary

United States $48,740 Median per year · $23.44/hr Most earn $37,340–$67,710

BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, 2025.

What you might do

  • Set charges of explosives to split rock.
  • Cut grooves along outlines, using chisels.
  • Cut slabs of stone into sheets that will be used for floors or counters.
  • Locate grain line patterns to determine how rocks will split when cut.
  • Insert wedges and feathers into holes, and drive wedges with sledgehammers to split stone sections from masses.
  • Remove pieces of stone from larger masses, using jackhammers, wedges, and other tools.

Job outlook

United States
6% more jobs by 2035, faster than average · about 400 openings a year

Openings include new jobs and jobs left by workers who retire or change careers. Projections: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. "Bright Outlook": U.S. Department of Labor.

Where they work

  • Nonmetallic mineral mining and quarrying79.1%
  • Nonmetallic mineral product manufacturing7.7%
  • Self-employed (their own business)5.4%

Share of all workers in this career. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, National Employment Matrix.

Experience before this job: 1 to 3 months

Some people start through an apprenticeship: paid training on the job, often with classes. Search apprenticeships on Apprenticeship.gov (opens in a new tab) ↗

Career path

How people usually get into this career, from school to their first job and beyond.

Typical education: High school diplomaExperience before this job: 1 to 3 monthsEntry-level

Rock Splitter is an entry-level job. Many people start with a high school diploma and a few months of on-the-job training, so you don't need a college degree to get started. Most people reach it within a few months of starting work.

  1. High school diploma

    4 years

    Finish high school and build basic math, science, and shop skills, plus physical fitness and comfort with tools and outdoor work.

  2. Helper, Extraction Workers

    1-3 months

    Start as a helper on a quarry or extraction crew, learning site safety, handling equipment, and how stone is moved and prepared.

  3. Rock Splitter, Quarry

    1-3 months of on-the-job training

    Use jackhammers, wedges, and chop saws to split blocks of rough dimension stone from the quarry mass, working safely with your crew.

Where it can lead

  1. Quarry Crew Leader

    Several years as a rock splitter (exact range not in my data) of experience first

    You take on responsibility for directing a small crew, planning daily work, and keeping the site safe and productive.

  2. Quarry Supervisor

    Several years in crew leadership (exact range not in my data) of experience first

    You oversee the whole quarry operation, including schedules, staff, equipment, and safety compliance.

What you can do now

Ideas for high school and college students.

In high school

  • Take shop or industrial arts classesHands-on experience with tools and machines helps you learn how to use jackhammers, wedges, and saws safely.
  • Take physical science or earth scienceUnderstanding rock types and how stone breaks helps you work with dimension stone.
  • Get a summer or part-time job on a construction or landscaping crewOutdoor physical work teaches teamwork, stamina, and basic site safety habits.
  • Learn basic workplace safetyTaking a first aid or safety course shows employers you take hazards seriously.
  • Stay physically activeThis job involves heavy lifting and long hours on your feet, so general fitness helps.

In college

  • Take geology or earth science coursesKnowing how rock forms and fractures makes you more useful on a quarry crew and helps you understand the stone you are working with.
  • Work a summer job at a quarry, mine, or construction siteReal site experience is the most direct way to learn the work and show employers you're ready.
  • Get OSHA-style safety trainingCertifications in construction or site safety are things employers look for in extraction and construction workers.
  • Join a trade or outdoor clubClubs in geology, engineering, or construction build teamwork and practical skills you can mention when applying.
  • Build a basic equipment skill setLearning to operate and maintain hand tools and power equipment can help you move faster into crew roles.

Tips for getting started

  • Ask employers whether they offer on-the-job training and what safety certifications they expect, since that is often how people learn this job.
  • Take shop, physical science, and math classes to build hands-on and problem-solving skills that carry over to quarry work.
  • Get comfortable with safety rules and protective gear early; reliability and a strong safety record matter a lot in this job.

Related jobs a step up

Education, experience and related careers: U.S. Department of Labor. The step-by-step path, where it can lead and what you can do now were written by AI as typical examples; many people take other ways.

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