How to become 石工education, training, experience, licenses and the steps to enter

Japan Manufacturing & Repair Confidence ★★★☆☆

Average annual pay
¥4.68M
≈ $29,735
Top pay (est.)
¥7.80M
Top 10% ¥6.76M
Pay in 5 years
¥5.35Mest.
2031
Pay in 10 years
¥6.12Mest.
¥5.26M–¥7.11M
Outlook score
61/100
★★★☆☆ Average
AI replacement risk
24%
Low
Labor demand
Average
Openings-to-applicants 1.67x

How to become 石工

The typical path in Japan is shown by the education, training and experience of current workers above and in the Japanese guidance below. A detailed English guide for this occupation is being prepared.

Guidance from job tag (Japanese)
入職にあたって、特に学歴や資格は必要とされない。家業として親から子へ引き継がれる場合が多いが、学校卒業後、石材加工会社や石材店等に就職するケースもある。中途採用もある。
 入職後、岩石の採れる山や採石場、石材製作の現場や建築現場などで、石の扱い方や道具の名前、水汲みやセメントモルタルを作るための水の流し込み方法といった基礎から学ぶ。1人前になるまでには10年程度の年月が必要である。実務経験を積み現場責任者となる場合もある。
 関連資格としては、厚生労働省の定める技能検定「石材施工技能士」がある。
 石材は重量があることから、それを動かす体力とケガを防ぐための注意力が必要である。また、一つ一つ異なる石の表情を活かして仕事をする石工には、職人としての技量や感性が求められる。

Skills, education and requirements for 石工

Key skills

Equipment Selection
3.4
Operations Analysis
2.7
Repairing
2.6
Instructing
2.6
Installation
2.5
Management of Material Resources
2.5
Active Listening
2.5
Mathematics
2.5

Skill levels from the MHLW job tag worker survey.

Key knowledge areas

Production and Processing
2.4
Mechanical
1.9
Building and Construction
1.8
Philosophy and Theology
1.6
Design
1.6
Fine Arts
1.5
Mathematics
1.5
Administrative
1.5

What the work involves

Performing General Physical ActivitiesOrganizing, Planning, and Prioritizing WorkHandling and Moving ObjectsScheduling Work and ActivitiesControlling Machines and ProcessesInspecting Equipment, Structures, or MaterialsThinking CreativelyJudging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People

Licenses and certifications (Japan)

Related qualifications listed on job tag (names in Japanese). Some are mandatory, others recommended.

Education of workers

Training before entry

Related work experience

Difficulty of entry: ★★★☆☆ Moderate (from education, training, experience, licenses)

Career path and how to earn more as 石工

Career-path guidance is being prepared. Pay by experience is shown in the Pay section.

Pay and employment figures are national statistics. Projected pay, outlook scores and AI replacement risk are estimates from the Shigoto Zukan model, not guarantees. To request a correction, use the contact form. How to read the data
Sources: Basic Survey on Wage Structure (2025), Population Census and Hello Work employment statistics as published on the MHLW job tag site (retrieved Nov 1, 2026); Occupational Information Database (JILPT). Pay ranges, projections and scores are Shigoto Zukan estimates.