Aptly
Careers · Production

Stone Cutters and Carvers, Manufacturing

Stone cutters and carvers shape stone into finished products by cutting and carving according to patterns and diagrams. They work in stone yards, shops, and on construction sites, using specialized tools and equipment to produce pieces for building construction, monuments, decorative elements, and artistic works.

$46,170median pay, U.S., per year
$39,280–$53,000middle half earn
33Kemployed in the U.S.
High school diplomatypical education · 1% hold a bachelor’s or higher
LowAI exposure · AI tools touch only a small share of this work.
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A day in the work

A typical week involves measuring and marking stone according to blueprints, operating cutting saws and carving tools, and finishing surfaces to specification. Stone cutters may spend time setting up work areas, inspecting materials for flaws, making adjustments to patterns, and cleaning completed pieces. Physical tasks alternate with detailed precision work, depending on project requirements and deadlines.

Who this work suits

Realistic
100Artistic
47Conventional
46Investigative
15Social
4Enterprising
0

Holland code RAC. Realistic work is hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors. Aptly’s interest assessment scores you on the same six scales.

You'd be well-suited to this work if you have realistic hands-on skills and enjoy creating tangible results with your hands. A strong artistic sense helps too—you'd appreciate the visual and structural aspects of transforming raw stone into finished products with lasting value.

What it takes

Preparation: Some preparation (usually high school; some on-the-job training). Most people in this occupation hold a high school diploma.

Skills that matter most

Active ListeningCritical ThinkingJudgment and Decision MakingReading ComprehensionSpeakingMonitoringTime ManagementSocial Perceptiveness

Knowledge areas

Mathematics (knowledge)Production and ProcessingMechanicalEnglish LanguageAdministration and ManagementDesign

Pay by state

Certifications people in this field hold

Training

Aptly members see WIOA-approved programs, colleges and certificates near them, with completion and earnings data, on every Path plan.

Related occupations

Are you suited for this?
Four short assessments and your background, scored against stone cutters and carvers, manufacturing and 13,000 other careers — with the reasons. Free.
Find out in 15 minutes See openings

O*NET-SOC 51-9195.03 · O*NET OnLine. Pay: BLS OEWS May 2025, annual, U.S. Employment counts are national.