Career Overview
Place and detonate explosives to demolish structures or to loosen, remove, or displace earth, rock, or other materials. May perform specialized handling, storage, and accounting procedures.
Also Known As
- Blast Hole Driller
- Blaster
- Explosive Technician
- Powderman
Alternate Job Titles
- Aircraft Ordnance Technician
- Ammunition and Explosives Handler
- Blast Driller
- Blast Hole Driller
- Blast Setter
- Blast Technician
- Blaster
- Blasting Clay Miner
- Blasting Coal Miner
- Blasting Contract Man
- Blasting Contract Miner
- Blasting Entry Specialist
- Blasting Entryman
- Blasting Gang Miner
- Blasting Miner
What You'll Do
In this role, your typical responsibilities include:
- Examine blast areas to determine amounts and kinds of explosive charges needed and to ensure that safety laws are observed.
- Tie specified lengths of delaying fuses into patterns in order to time sequences of explosions.
- Place safety cones around blast areas to alert other workers of danger zones, and signal workers as necessary to ensure that they clear blast sites prior to explosions.
- Place explosive charges in holes or other spots; then detonate explosives to demolish structures or to loosen, remove, or displace earth, rock, or other materials.
- Insert, pack, and pour explosives, such as dynamite, ammonium nitrate, black powder, or slurries into blast holes; then shovel drill cuttings, admit water into boreholes, and tamp material to compact charges.
- Mark patterns, locations, and depths of charge holes for drilling, and issue drilling instructions.
- Compile and keep gun and explosives records in compliance with local and federal laws.
Emerging Responsibilities
As this field evolves, you may also:
- Operate drones for aerial survey of blast sites and for post-blast damage assessment.
Knowledge You'll Use
You'll need solid knowledge in these areas:
- Public Safety and Security
- Law and Government
- Mathematics
Essential Skills
Success in this career requires strong skills in:
- Active Listening
- Monitoring
- Critical Thinking
- Judgment and Decision Making
Key Abilities
This career requires key abilities in:
- Near Vision
- Problem Sensitivity
- Manual Dexterity
- Oral Comprehension
- Deductive Reasoning
- Inductive Reasoning
- Information Ordering
- Arm-Hand Steadiness
- Oral Expression
- Finger Dexterity
Work Style
People who excel in this career typically demonstrate:
- Cautiousness
- Stress Tolerance
- Attention to Detail
- Dependability
- Self-Control
What Matters in This Career
This career tends to satisfy these work values:
- Support
- Independence
- Achievement
- Working Conditions
- Relationships
Education & Preparation
Typical Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Related Work Experience Needed: Over 2 years, up to and including 4 years
On-the-Job Training: Over 2 years, up to and including 4 years
Education Details: Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
Experience Required: Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
Technology You'll Use
Popular Technologies & Software
- Autodesk AutoCAD
- ESRI ArcGIS software
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office software
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Word
Tools & Equipment
- Adjustable combination wrenches
- Air rotary drills
- Alternating current AC generators
- Ammonium nitrate fuel oil ANFO loaders
- Avalaunchers
- Backhoe-equipped tractors
- Balance scales
- Blast hole tubing
- Blasthole drills
- Blasting cap crimpers
- Blasting machines
- Bobcats
- Bore hole thermometers
- Cable tool drills
- Chain slings
Work Environment
- Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets
- Outdoors, Exposed to All Weather Conditions
- Exposed to Hazardous Conditions
- Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
- Health and Safety of Other Workers
Salary & Job Market
| Salary Percentile | Annual Wage |
|---|---|
| Entry-Level (10th percentile) | $45,160 |
| Median | $59,110 |
| Top Earners (90th percentile) | $104,210 |
Workers Employed Nationally: 5,680
Related Careers
If you're interested in this career, you might also consider:
Earth Drillers, Except Oil and Gas
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $59,600
Helpers--Extraction Workers
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $48,400
Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas
Education: Less than a High School Diploma
Median Salary: $65,010
Continuous Mining Machine Operators
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $63,380
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $58,710
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Occupational data sourced from the O*NET OnLine database, developed by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. Wage data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2024.