Stone Cutters and Carvers, Manufacturing

SOC code 51-9195 · O*NET-SOC 51-9195.03 · Little to some preparation needed · Manufacturing and production

Bright Outlook — O*NET expects rapid growth for this occupation

Stone Cutters and Carvers, Manufacturing pay

U.S. national figures, May 2025 BLS survey · How we got this number

Median pay

$46,170

a year

Hourly

$22.20

per hour

10th$35,850Median$46,17090th$61,530

The solid band is the middle 50% of workers; the bar spans the 10th to 90th percentile.

Average pay

$47,500

$22.84 per hour

Middle 50%

$39,280 – $53,000

25th to 75th percentile

Full spread

$35,850 – $61,530

10th to 90th percentile

People employed

33,190

nationwide

National U.S. figure, May 2025. Local pay can be higher or lower.

These pay and employment figures are for the broader BLS group “Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic”, not this job alone.

10th percentile: $35,850; $17.24/hr
25th percentile: $39,280; $18.88/hr
Median percentile: $46,170; $22.20/hr
75th percentile: $53,000; $25.48/hr
90th percentile: $61,530; $29.58/hr

What do stone cutters and carvers, manufacturing do?

Cut or carve stone according to diagrams and patterns.

The tasks that matter most day to day

Load sandblasting equipment with abrasives, attach nozzles to hoses, and turn valves to admit compressed air and activate jets.
Shape, trim, or touch up roughed-out designs with appropriate tools to finish carvings.
Verify depths and dimensions of cuts or carvings to ensure adherence to specifications, blueprints, or models, using measuring instruments.
Move fingers over surfaces of carvings to ensure smoothness of finish.
Lay out designs or dimensions from sketches or blueprints on stone surfaces, freehand or by transferring them from tracing paper, using scribes or chalk and measuring instruments.
Drill holes and cut or carve moldings and grooves in stone, according to diagrams and patterns.
Remove or add stencils during blasting to create differing cut depths, intricate designs, or rough, pitted finishes.
Guide nozzles over stone, following stencil outlines, or chip along marks to create designs or to work surfaces down to specified finishes.

How to qualify for this work

Most people in this role hold high school diploma or the equivalent (such as a ged) — 66% of workers surveyed reported it as their level of education.

Preparation level: zone 2 — Little to some preparation needed

Education: Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
Experience: Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
Training: Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training.

See all zone 2 occupations →

Education reported by people doing this job

High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)66%
Less than a High School Diploma22%
Post-Secondary Certificate6%
Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree5%

Common questions

How much does a stone cutters and carvers, manufacturing earn?

The national median is $46,170 a year. The full range runs from $35,850 at the 10th percentile to $61,530 at the 90th — entry pay sits closer to the lower figure, and experience, licensing and specialisation move you up the range.

Can you become a stone cutters and carvers, manufacturing without a degree?

Yes — this occupation sits in preparation zone 2, meaning the typical entry route is usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not. A four-year degree is not the standard requirement, though licensing or certification may still apply.

Skills and knowledge you need

Core skills

Active Listening3.0/5
Critical Thinking3.0/5
Reading Comprehension2.9/5
Speaking2.9/5
Monitoring2.9/5

Knowledge areas

Mathematics3.6/5
Production and Processing3.6/5
Mechanical3.2/5
English Language3.1/5
Administration and Management3.1/5
Design3.1/5
Education and Training3.0/5
Public Safety and Security2.8/5

Transferable strengths: Judgment and Decision Making, Time Management, Social Perceptiveness, Complex Problem Solving, Coordination.