Rock Splitters, Quarry
Separate blocks of rough dimension stone from quarry mass using jackhammers, wedges, or chop saws.
Also called: Driller · Quarry Worker · Rock Splitter · Splitter Operator · Stone Breaker · Stone Splitter
Median pay (national)
$47,460
$37,240–$68,380 (10th–90th)
Employed (US)
3,080
BLS OEWS, May 2024
Outlook 2024–34
+4.4%
~400 openings/yr
Typical entry
No formal educational credential
What the numbers say
Refit analysis ·Pay for rock splitters, quarry shows a broad range: the top 10% earn $68,380 versus $37,240 at the bottom 10% — 1.8x. The median of $47,460 leaves roughly 44% of headroom to the 90th percentile, which is where seniority, specialization, and the skills below tend to pay off.
Refit analysis ·Employment is projected to change +4.4% from 2024 to 2034 — faster than the 3% all-occupation average. Even so, BLS projects about 400 openings a year, mostly to replace workers who retire or change careers.
Refit analysis ·Where you work moves the number a lot. Across the 22 states with released data, Oregon pays the most for this role (median $65,350, +38% vs the national median), while Puerto Rico sits lowest at $23,500 — a 178% spread for the same job title.
Refit analysis ·O*NET rates Active Listening, Monitoring, Reading Comprehension as the highest-importance skills here — so a resume aimed at this role should lead with evidence of those, not a generic skills list.
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Top skills employers ask for
Ranked by O*NET importance for this occupation.
- Active Listening
- Monitoring
- Reading Comprehension
- Critical Thinking
- Speaking
- Writing
- Active Learning
- Learning Strategies
- Mathematics
- Science
What they actually do
Core O*NET tasks for this role.
- 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.
- Locate grain line patterns to determine how rocks will split when cut.
- Mark dimensions or outlines on stone prior to cutting, using rules and chalk lines.
- Cut grooves along outlines, using chisels.
- Cut slabs of stone into sheets that will be used for floors or counters.
- Drill holes into sides of stones broken from masses, insert dogs or attach slings, and direct removal of stones.
- Set charges of explosives to split rock.
- Drill holes along outlines, using jackhammers.
Tools & technology
- Autodesk AutoCAD
- SAP software
- Apache HTTP Server
- Maintenance reporting software
- Minitab
- Time reporting software
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office software
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Project
- Microsoft Word
Knowledge areas
- Production and Processing
- Mechanical
- Mathematics
- Education and Training
- Public Safety and Security
- Administration and Management
- English Language
- Personnel and Human Resources