Stone Cutter

Your Fit

Income

$43K

Preparation

Some

Growth

2.4%

Definition
Your fit with this career
How much they earn
What they do
Job satisfaction
How to become

What is a Stone Cutter?

A Stone Cutter is a skilled artisan who cuts, shapes, and finishes stones for construction, architectural, and artistic purposes. This profession involves both physical labor and artistic precision to create stone products ranging from building materials to ornate sculptures.

Your test results

Why this fit score?

The fit report shows your areas of fit and misfit with Stone Cutter.

Fit report

Test scores

The scores report summarizes what we learned about you. It shows your results on everything measured in the career test.

Scores report

How much does a Stone Cutter earn

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, typical income (in USD) is...

Bottom 10%	Bottom 25%	Median (average)	Top 25%	Top 10%
$32K per year	$37K per year	$43K per year	$49K per year	$60K per year

Compared to other careers: Median is $4.75K below the national average.

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What does a Stone Cutter do?

Work environment

Stone Cutters typically work in workshops, studios, or on construction sites. Their work environment can be dusty and noisy, requiring the use of protective gear. The job involves handling heavy materials and operating machinery like saws and polishers.

Quick task list

Reads blueprints and understands project requirements.
Cuts and shapes stones using hand and power tools.
Finishes surfaces by smoothing and polishing.
Ensures accurate dimensions and quality finishing.
Maintains tools and equipment.

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Areas of specialization

Architectural Stone Cutting: Specializing in cutting stone for construction purposes, like building facades and arches.
Monumental Stone Work: Crafting stone for monuments and memorials, often requiring intricate, detailed work.
Sculptural Stone Carving: Creating artistic sculptures and decorative pieces from various types of stone.
Restoration Stone Work: Focusing on restoring and preserving historical stone structures and artifacts.
Landscape Stone Cutting: Shaping stone for landscaping projects, including garden features and outdoor structures.

Description

Stone cutting is a blend of art and craft, requiring a keen eye for design and detail. Stone Cutters must interpret blueprints and design plans to accurately cut stone to specifications. This involves measuring, marking, and using tools like chisels, saws, and grinders. Precision is key, as stone is an unforgiving material that does not easily hide mistakes.

In addition to technical skill, stone cutters must understand the properties of various types of stone, such as granite, marble, and limestone. They must choose the right tools and techniques for each material. For architectural and monumental work, stone cutters often collaborate with architects, designers, and historians to ensure their work aligns with the overall vision and requirements of a project.

The work is physically demanding, requiring strength to handle heavy stone pieces and stamina to spend long hours on detailed work. It also demands a commitment to safety, as stone cutting can be hazardous. Wearing protective gear and adhering to safety protocols are essential parts of the job.

Job Satisfaction

Sources of satisfaction

Creating lasting works of art and functional pieces with aesthetic value.
The physical and creative challenge of transforming raw stone into finished products.
Contributing to significant construction and architectural projects.

You might make a good Stone Cutter if you are...

Skilled in working with your hands and enjoy physical labor.
Detail-oriented with an eye for design and aesthetics.
Interested in working with natural materials and learning traditional crafts.
Able to follow safety guidelines diligently.
Looking for a career that combines artistic expression with construction skills.

Pros:

Opportunity for creative expression and producing tangible works.
Diverse job opportunities in construction, art, and restoration.
Potential for self-employment and entrepreneurial ventures.

Cons:

Physically demanding and potentially hazardous work.
Exposure to dust and noise, requiring protective gear.
May involve irregular hours to meet project deadlines.

How to become a Stone Cutter

Typical education

Formal education beyond a high school diploma is not always required, but vocational training or apprenticeships in stone cutting and masonry are highly beneficial.

High school preparation

Courses:

Art and design classes to develop aesthetic sense.
Shop or vocational classes for hands-on skills with tools.
Geometry for understanding shapes and measurements.

Extra-Curricular Activities:

Joining arts and crafts clubs.
Participating in construction or woodworking projects.
Volunteering in community restoration or building projects.

Preparation after high school

Apprenticeships or vocational training in stone cutting, masonry, or sculpture.
Workshops or classes in specific stone cutting techniques.
Gaining experience through entry-level positions in construction or masonry.

More resources

Stone Carvers Guild - Provides resources and networking opportunities for stone carvers.
The Stone Foundation - Offers educational resources and a community for those in the stonework field.
National Building Granite Quarries Association, Inc. - Provides industry standards and resources for working with granite.
Masonry Institute of America - Offers training programs and resources for masonry and stone cutting professionals.

Similar careers

Similarity is based on what people in the careers do, what they know, and what they are called. The process of establishing similarity lists is described in this white paper.