How much does a rock splitter make?
The median rock splitter in the United States earns $47,460 per year, about $22.82 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all rock splitters earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024. SOC code 47-5051.
Rock splitter salary range
Pay for rock splitters spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $37,240 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $68,380. The average (mean) wage of $50,540 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $37,240 | $17.90 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $39,990 | $19.23 | |
| Median (50th) | $47,460 | $22.82 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $58,290 | $28.02 | |
| 90th percentile | $68,380 | $32.87 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for rock splitters, quarry (SOC 47-5051), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2024.
Rock splitter salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Rock splitters earn the most in Oregon at $65,350 a year, and the least in Idaho at $35,480. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Oregon | $65,350 | 60 |
| Massachusetts | $64,590 | 60 |
| California | $63,110 | 110 |
| Illinois | $61,140 | N/A |
| Minnesota | $58,740 | 170 |
| North Carolina | $57,710 | 50 |
| Missouri | $55,170 | 250 |
| Indiana | $53,430 | 170 |
| Iowa | $48,630 | 100 |
| Oklahoma | $47,130 | 260 |
| Colorado | $46,180 | 160 |
| Georgia | $46,160 | 70 |
| Arkansas | $45,030 | 70 |
| Tennessee | $44,970 | 230 |
| Pennsylvania | $44,880 | 240 |
| Ohio | $43,940 | 70 |
| Montana | $41,660 | 40 |
| Kansas | $41,000 | 140 |
| Kentucky | $39,130 | N/A |
| Maryland | $38,770 | 40 |
| Idaho | $35,480 | 70 |
State median wages for rock splitters, quarry (SOC 47-5051), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2024. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for rock splitters
The BLS projects employment of rock splitters to grow 5.8% from 2025 to 2035. That is faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 3,500 jobs in 2025 moving toward 3,700 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 400 openings a year for rock splitters. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a rock splitter
The typical entry-level education for rock splitters is no formal educational credential, according to the BLS. New hires typically complete short-term on-the-job training to reach full competency.
A four-year college degree is usually not required to start, which makes this one of the jobs you can enter without a bachelor's degree. See more high paying jobs without a degree .
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a rock splitter earns
Experience, licensing, certifications, region, and overtime move these numbers the most. A licensed, experienced worker in a high cost metro or a strong union market lands near the top of the range, while apprentices and workers in rural areas start closer to the bottom.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (Oregon, $65,350) and the lowest (Idaho, $35,480) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 3,080 people work as rock splitters in the United States. At $47,460 a year, the job pays below the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs.
Rock splitter salary FAQ
How much does a rock splitter make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a rock splitter is $22.82. The middle half of rock splitters earn between $19.23 and $28.02 per hour.
What is the highest rock splitter salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of rock splitters earn more than $68,380 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a rock splitter make a year?
The median annual salary for a rock splitter is $47,460. The average (mean) wage of $50,540 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a rock splitter a well paid job?
At $47,460 a year, a rock splitter earns below the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs. About 3,080 people work as rock splitters in the United States.
Which state pays rock splitters the most?
Oregon has the highest median salary for rock splitters at $65,350 a year. Massachusetts ($64,590) and California ($63,110) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2024.
Is being a rock splitter a good career?
Employment of rock splitters is projected to grow 5.8% from 2025 to 2035, faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 400 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a rock splitter?
No. The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for rock splitters as no formal educational credential, so a four-year degree is usually not required to start.
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