Rock Splitters, Quarry Career, Salary and Skills
Rock Splitters, Quarry have a BLS-reported national median annual wage of $48,740 based on the 2025 OEWS dataset, with reported national employment of 3,320. Wage data is published for 23 locations.
Occupation description
Separate blocks of rough dimension stone from quarry mass using jackhammers, wedges, or chop saws.
O*NET code
47-5051.00
Job zone
2
Typical education
Less than a High School Diploma
Experience
Up to and including 1 month
National salary and employment
Median annual
$48,740
Hourly median
$23.44
Employment
3,320
Data year
2025
National salary distribution
$37,340
10th
$42,670
25th
$48,740
Median
$60,030
75th
$67,710
90th
Top skills
| Skill | Importance | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Operation and Control | 3.25 | 3.00 |
| Operations Monitoring | 3.12 | 2.88 |
| Active Listening | 3.00 | 2.62 |
| Monitoring | 2.88 | 2.50 |
| Reading Comprehension | 2.75 | 2.38 |
| Critical Thinking | 2.75 | 2.62 |
| Coordination | 2.75 | 2.75 |
| Complex Problem Solving | 2.75 | 2.50 |
| Time Management | 2.75 | 2.38 |
| Speaking | 2.62 | 2.62 |
Typical tasks
- 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.
- Drill holes along outlines, using jackhammers.
- Drill holes into sides of stones broken from masses, insert dogs or attach slings, and direct removal of stones.
Technology
- Apache HTTP Server
- Autodesk AutoCAD
- Maintenance reporting software
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office software
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Project
- Microsoft Word
- Minitab
- SAP software
- Time reporting software
Rock Splitters, Quarry salary by location
Areas with the highest reported employment for this occupation.
- Rock Splitters, Quarry Salary in KYMedian $44,000 · Employment 310
- Rock Splitters, Quarry Salary in TNMedian $48,160 · Employment 300
- Rock Splitters, Quarry Salary in CAMedian $61,620 · Employment 290
- Rock Splitters, Quarry Salary in MOMedian $60,990 · Employment 280
- Rock Splitters, Quarry Salary in PAMedian $48,580 · Employment 260
- Rock Splitters, Quarry Salary in INMedian $49,890 · Employment 220
- Rock Splitters, Quarry Salary in OKMedian $45,040 · Employment 200
- Rock Splitters, Quarry Salary in St. Louis, MOMedian $60,990 · Employment 100
- Rock Splitters, Quarry Salary in MTMedian $46,260 · Employment 100
- Rock Splitters, Quarry Salary in COMedian $46,590 · Employment 100
- Rock Splitters, Quarry Salary in IDMedian $35,880 · Employment 90
- Rock Splitters, Quarry Salary in MAMedian $66,000 · Employment 90
Related careers
- Terrazzo Workers and FinishersNational median $76,170
- Tile and Stone SettersNational median $55,690
- PipelayersNational median $49,000
- Brickmasons and BlockmasonsNational median $62,120
- Tool Grinders, Filers, and SharpenersNational median $50,060
- Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and TendersNational median $46,570
- Segmental PaversNational median not published
- Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and PlasticNational median $46,170
Career and skills data: O*NET 31.0 (onetcenter.org). Salary and employment data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS, 2025 (bls.gov/oes). Figures are published survey estimates, not real-time market data.