Rock Splitters
O*NET title: Rock Splitters, Quarry
Separate blocks of rough dimension stone from quarry mass using jackhammers, wedges, or chop saws.
Also called: Driller, Quarry Chop Saw Operator, Quarry Driller, Quarry Plug and Feather Driller, Quarry Worker, Quarrying Specialist
Median pay
$48,740
per year, U.S.
Pay range (10th–90th)
$37,340 – $67,710
People employed
3,320
Holland code
RCI
Realistic · Conventional · Investigative
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
Is this career right for you?
These are the things that stand out in this job compared with other U.S. jobs (O*NET 31.0 work context). Answer honestly.
- 1.Are you happy working mostly on your own, with little contact with others?
- 2.Do you prefer a steady pace without constant deadlines?
- 3.Do you prefer doing your own work rather than directing others?
- 4.Are you OK being on your feet and moving most of the day?
- 5.Are you comfortable following clear instructions?
- 6.Would you rather not deal with customers or the public?
- 7.Do you want variety, with new tasks often?
- 8.Are you OK with hours that change?
The hard parts
- Work outdoors in all weather
- Long hours on your feet
Rock Splitters pay by state
Highest-paying states
Annual median pay by state (19 states with published data). Source: BLS OEWS May 2025.
What rock splitters do
- 01Cut slabs of stone into sheets that will be used for floors or counters.
- 02Locate grain line patterns to determine how rocks will split when cut.
- 03Set charges of explosives to split rock.
- 04Drill holes along outlines, using jackhammers.
- 05Drill holes into sides of stones broken from masses, insert dogs or attach slings, and direct removal of stones.
- 06Remove pieces of stone from larger masses, using jackhammers, wedges, and other tools.
Skills that matter most
- Active Listening
- Monitoring
- Reading Comprehension
- Critical Thinking
- Speaking
- Writing
Knowledge
- Production and Processing
- Mechanical
- Mathematics
- Public Safety and Security
- Education and Training
Work styles that stand out
- Dependability
Education and first steps
Share of workers by required education, as reported to O*NET.
How people get started
- Usually needs a high school diploma (O*NET Job Zone 2).
- Related work experience: up to and including 1 month.
- On-the-job training: anything beyond short demonstration, up to and including 1 month.
Most common answers from O*NET 31.0 Education, Training and Experience.
Interest fit (Holland code)
O*NET occupational interest scores, scale 1–7. Take the Free Career Test to compare with your own.
Career changes
Change from rock splitters
- Foundry Mold and Coremakers88% · −1%
- Sawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Wood86% · −12%
- Stone Cutters and Carvers, Manufacturing85% · group pay
- Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic84% · −5%
- Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers82% · +17%
Change into rock splitters
Jobs whose skills carry over best (skill match, their median pay).
- Fallers84% · $52,100
- Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Synthetic and Glass Fibers82% · $46,350
- Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic80% · $46,170
- Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders80% · $43,220
- Pourers and Casters, Metal80% · $51,810