Occupation · SOC 51-9195.03
Stone Cutters and Carvers, Manufacturing
Cut or carve stone according to diagrams and patterns.
Median wage
—
Projected growth
—
—
Annual openings
—
per year
Employed (US)
—
Job Zone 2
Typical preparation
Some preparation
Stackable credential programs
10 mapped
Core skills
Judgment and Decision MakingCritical ThinkingActive ListeningTime ManagementSpeakingReading ComprehensionMonitoringSocial PerceptivenessComplex Problem SolvingCoordinationOperations MonitoringOperation and ControlActive LearningQuality Control AnalysisEquipment SelectionWritingService OrientationMathematicsLearning StrategiesSystems EvaluationSystems AnalysisOperations AnalysisNegotiationManagement of Personnel ResourcesInstructingTroubleshootingPersuasionEquipment MaintenanceManagement of Material ResourcesTechnology DesignRepairingManagement of Financial ResourcesProgrammingScienceInstallation
Knowledge areas
MathematicsProduction and ProcessingMechanicalEnglish LanguageAdministration and ManagementDesignEducation and TrainingPublic Safety and SecurityCustomer and Personal ServiceBuilding and ConstructionTransportationSales and MarketingPersonnel and Human ResourcesComputers and ElectronicsChemistryEngineering and TechnologyAdministrativeEconomics and AccountingPhysicsFine ArtsCommunications and MediaLaw and GovernmentMedicine and DentistryForeign LanguageHistory and ArcheologyPsychologyGeographyTherapy and CounselingSociology and AnthropologyTelecommunicationsPhilosophy and TheologyBiologyFood Production
Technology & tools
Corel Paint Shop ProInventory control softwareMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft WordTimekeeping softwareWord processing software
Representative tasks
Handling and Moving ObjectsControlling Machines and ProcessesOperating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or EquipmentCommunicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesPerforming General Physical ActivitiesMaking Decisions and Solving ProblemsGetting InformationCoordinating the Work and Activities of OthersTraining and Teaching OthersOrganizing, Planning, and Prioritizing WorkInspecting Equipment, Structures, or MaterialsThinking CreativelyJudging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or PeopleEstimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or InformationProcessing InformationEstablishing and Maintaining Interpersonal RelationshipsMonitoring Processes, Materials, or SurroundingsUpdating and Using Relevant KnowledgeEvaluating Information to Determine Compliance with StandardsIdentifying Objects, Actions, and EventsAnalyzing Data or InformationRepairing and Maintaining Mechanical EquipmentCoaching and Developing OthersDrafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and EquipmentDeveloping and Building TeamsDeveloping Objectives and StrategiesAssisting and Caring for OthersGuiding, Directing, and Motivating SubordinatesWorking with ComputersInterpreting the Meaning of Information for OthersResolving Conflicts and Negotiating with OthersScheduling Work and ActivitiesMonitoring and Controlling ResourcesProviding Consultation and Advice to OthersRepairing and Maintaining Electronic EquipmentDocumenting/Recording InformationStaffing Organizational UnitsPerforming for or Working Directly with the PublicCommunicating with People Outside the OrganizationPerforming Administrative Activities
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Basic measuring instruments such as rulers and calipers — apply under direct supervision to verify cut depths and dimensions against provided specifications on a production shop floor.Stone surface smoothness after roughing — assess by moving fingers across carved areas to identify irregularities under a journeyman's guidance in a manufacturing setting.Simple chisels and hand tools — select and use following a supervisor's prescribed sequence on pre-marked stone blocks in an entry-level carving workshop.Chalk and scribes — transfer basic layout lines from tracing paper onto stone surfaces using straightforward patterns under direct instruction in a stone fabrication facility.Rough stone blocks of standard dimensions — cut along marked guidelines using basic pneumatic tools with close oversight in a production environment.Blueprint symbols and dimension notations — recognize and interpret basic markings to locate cut lines on stone pieces under the direction of an experienced cutter.Drill bits and pneumatic drilling equipment — operate to create straightforward holes in stone according to provided diagrams under continuous supervisory observation.Personal protective equipment including safety glasses and gloves — don and maintain consistently as required by shop safety protocols on the manufacturing floor.Sandblasting nozzles at low pressure settings — handle to smooth flat stone surfaces following step-by-step procedures provided by a lead craftsperson.Spreadsheet or time accounting software — enter basic production records and work-hour data into pre-formatted templates under administrative guidance in the shop office.
developing
Depth gauges and measuring instruments — apply routinely without close oversight to verify that multiple carving dimensions conform to blueprints across a standard production run.Finished carved stone surfaces — evaluate tactilely and visually for smoothness and consistency, making minor corrective touches independently in a mid-volume manufacturing facility.Chisels, pneumatic tools, and surfacing tools — select appropriate type and determine efficient use sequence for moderately complex molding profiles with limited supervisor input.Freehand layout of designs — execute directly onto stone surfaces from sketches or blueprints using scribes and measuring instruments within established tolerance standards.Rough building and monumental stone blocks — shape and finish to specification following diagrams, managing pacing and quality checks independently on the shop floor.Grooves and moldings of varying profiles — cut and carve according to patterns using appropriate hand and power tools, adapting technique to different stone hardness levels.Tracing paper transfer methods — apply accurately to reproduce detailed design layouts onto stone surfaces, maintaining alignment across larger stone pieces in production.Common stone varieties including granite and marble — differentiate material properties and adjust tool pressure and speed accordingly during routine carving tasks.Inventory management software — update tool and material stock records following each production shift to support consistent shop operations.Active listening and instruction-following — demonstrate when receiving design change briefings from supervisors or clients to ensure accurate reproduction of revised carvings.
proficient
Precision measuring instruments including calipers and depth micrometers — apply autonomously across complex multi-feature carvings to ensure full dimensional compliance with detailed blueprints.Non-routine surface irregularities discovered during tactile inspection — diagnose cause and execute corrective carving or sanding techniques without supervisory input on a busy production floor.Full range of chisels, pneumatic tools, and sandblasting equipment — sequence use strategically across an entire carving project to optimize finish quality and minimize material waste.Complex freehand layouts derived from architectural sketches — develop and transfer accurately onto large stone surfaces, resolving ambiguities in source documents independently.Intricate moldings, grooves, and decorative relief carvings — complete to client or architectural specifications while maintaining throughput targets in a manufacturing environment.Drill patterns for multi-hole configurations — plan and execute across stone panels of varying thickness, adjusting bit selection and feed rate to prevent cracking or spalling.Critical thinking in blueprint interpretation — resolve conflicting dimensions or missing specifications by consulting reference standards and applying professional judgment before cutting begins.Visualization of three-dimensional carved forms from two-dimensional drawings — translate consistently into accurate physical outcomes across a variety of monumental and architectural stone products.Graphics or photo imaging software — use to prepare or modify design templates for transfer to stone surfaces, supporting both standard production orders and custom commissions.Mentorship of newer carvers during daily production — provide technical guidance on tool selection, layout, and finishing techniques drawn from hands-on experience in the carving shop.
advanced
Shop-wide quality standards for stone cutting and carving — establish, document, and enforce across all production staff to ensure consistent conformance with client specifications and industry benchmarks.Carving sequences and tool protocols for new product lines — design and implement as standard operating procedures, reducing rework rates and improving throughput across the manufacturing facility.Complex custom carving projects with non-standard materials or designs — lead from initial blueprint review through final quality sign-off, applying expert judgment at every production stage.Apprentices and developing carvers — coach systematically in measuring, layout, and finishing techniques, structuring on-the-job learning progressions aligned to shop capability goals.Capital tool purchases including pneumatic equipment, drill systems, and sandblasting units — evaluate, recommend, and justify to facility management based on production needs and cost-benefit analysis.Production scheduling and workflow across multiple carving work cells — organize and adjust to meet order deadlines while sustaining quality standards in a mid-to-large manufacturing operation.Relationships with architectural clients and monument designers — manage professionally, translating design intent into actionable shop drawings and communicating production constraints clearly.Safety culture and compliance programs for stone cutting operations — develop and sustain, ensuring all personnel follow regulatory and shop-specific protocols for dust control, equipment use, and ergonomics.Inventory management and materials procurement for stone stock and consumables — oversee using inventory software, forecasting needs based on production pipeline data to prevent costly delays.Continuous improvement initiatives targeting dimensional accuracy and surface finish quality — lead by analyzing defect trends, piloting revised techniques, and measuring outcomes across production cycles.
Also known as
29 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
CarverChiselerCutterDresserFoot CasterGranite CutterGranite FabricatorGranite Slab FabricatorGranite WorkerHand StonecutterInternal CarverMarble CarverMarble CutterMonument LettererPolisherSandblast CarverSandblasterSlab WorkerStatue CarverStone CarverStone CutterStone DecoratorStone DresserStone FabricatorStone SandblasterStonecutterStoneworkerTombstone CarverVault Maker