Stone Cutter (Cutting Machine Operator) - Stone Craft
Cuts big hard stone slabs into sizes for further processing, and operates the lathe machine to produce stone components with different features.
Overview
The Stone Cutter is responsible for cutting big hard stone slabs into different sizes, as per the product requirement, for further processing. They are trained to handle the machine to cut stone effectively. They are also responsible for operating the lathe machine for producing a range of stone components having different features. The craftsman continuously monitors the machine operations for effective use and makes adjustments in its settings whenever required.
Where they work
- Stone cutting companies
- Tiles companies
- Art and craft manufacturing companies
Work environment
The usual work is for 6 days a week and for 8/9 hours per day. Entrepreneurship: after gaining experience there is always scope for having your own set-up and selling products to stone-craft designing artisans.
Opportunities for work exist for differently abled in this field.
Skills and interests
This career might suit you if…
- You are physically fit
- You are comfortable working in a team
- You have good hand-to-eye coordination
- You like to assemble things
Eligibility and education roadmap
Please check the duration of the course during enrolment. NSQF course levels, entry requirements and availability change — verify with the training provider.
- 1Minimum qualification: after completion of class 8 and minimum age of 18 years old, you can enrol for a National Skills Qualification Framework (NSQF) Level 3 Stone Cutter (Cutting machine operator) course.
Forms, exams and applications
Exam names above are as printed in the source card. Application windows, eligibility and syllabi change — always check the official notification for current dates.
Where to apply
This list of institutes is indicative only.
Government institutes
- Central Staff Training and Research Institute, Kolkata, West Bengal
- Directorate General of Training, Goa
- Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME-Technology Centre), New Delhi
- NIOS training centres, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh
These institute lists are indicative examples from the source card, not a ranked or complete directory. Always verify accreditation on the institute's official website.
Career outcomes
Growth path
- 1Helper
- 2Stone Cutter, Machine
- 3Process Supervisor
Expected income
₹10,000 – ₹25,000 per month
As printed, this is the salary of a Stone Cutter (Cutting machine operator) – Stone Craft fresher. The figures are indicative and subject to change.
SourceRelated careers to explore
Mason (Stone)
Cuts, shapes, lays, fixes and finishes various stones on different surfaces to specified standards and patterns.
Lapidarist
Expert on precious stones — cuts, shapes and engraves gems, and may also collect or deal in them.
Student action plan
What you can do this month
- Read this whole roadmap and note any subjects, exams or institutes you don't recognise yet.
- Talk to a teacher or school counsellor about how your current subjects connect to Any Stream.
- Look for a school club, competition or online course related to building.
- Shortlist 2–3 institutes from the list above and check their official website for current admission details.
- Save this career and compare it with 1–2 others you're considering.
Example from the field
Gainda Lal Gujjar — Sikandra, once a backward area, has now become a centre for trade in stone artefacts, drawing buyers from across North Indian states for pillars, fences, chairs and garden accessories, with artisans also exporting to Australia, Canada, the Middle East and South East Asia. Gainda Lal Gujjar shares his experience: 'My friend Kalu Ram asked me to help him in his work, and for working two to three hours he paid me Rs. 12 to Rs. 15 a day. I further honed my skills and I started earning Rs. 100 a day. Now, we are four male members of the family doing this, and between us we make about Rs. 60,000 to Rs. 70,000 per month by taking job works of the bigger artisans.' The Centre for Development of Stones (CDOS), set up by the Rajasthan government, is a centre of excellence with state-of-the-art facilities to develop and support the dimensional-stones sector; the youth of the Gujjar area trained there to operate and maintain machines and repair small tools like cutters and motors, skills that previously meant travelling to Dausa or Jaipur.
SourceThis profile is shared for training/educational purposes only, as printed in the source card.
Sources and update notice
- Career card source: Exploring Career Paths with Career Cards, Volume 2, printed page 1001 (NCERT / UNICEF India / PSSCIVE Bhopal, First Edition, April 2025).
- Income source: https://bit.ly/3jxaQ3g
- Last reviewed on this site: 2026-08-21
Eligibility, fees, exam patterns and admissions change often. Always verify current details on official institute, exam-body or government websites before making decisions.