Energy & Utilities career

Blaster

Also called: Explosives Worker · Shot Firer · Powder Man · Drill and Blast Technician

What blasters do, what they earn, how long training takes and how to get started, with official BLS pay data and practical, job-level detail.

Updated By the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team
What does a blaster do?

Explosives workers, ordnance handling experts and blasters place and detonate explosives to demolish structures or loosen rock. The median pay is $61,390 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about 1–2 years of training, and employment is projected to grow 0.0% from 2025–35.

Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026

  • Median pay
    $61,390
    $29.51/hour · May 2025
  • Job growth
    0.0%
    2025–35, little or no change
  • Openings per year
    400
    Average, 2025–35
  • Typical entry education
    High school diploma or equivalent
    BLS classification
  • Time to train
    1–2 years of training
    Typical program length
  • U.S. jobs
    5,200
    Employment, 2025

What blasters do

Blasters break rock safely. They load drill holes with explosives, design blast patterns, set timing, clear areas, detonate charges and monitor vibration at mines, quarries and construction sites.

A high school diploma, some experience and long-term training are typical; blasters need a license. BLS projects little change.

Typical duties

  • Design blast patterns
  • Load drill holes
  • Set timing
  • Clear blast areas
  • Detonate charges
  • Monitor vibration
  • Store explosives safely

Work environment and schedule

Blasters work at mines, quarries and construction sites.

Schedule: Full time.

A day in the life

  1. Safety meeting.
  2. Check the drill pattern.
  3. Load holes.
  4. Tie in the timing.

See a full day in the life of a blaster →

Blaster salary

Half of blasters earned more than $61,390 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $40,480 for the lowest 10% to $99,360 for the top 10%.

Full blaster pay scale and hourly rates →

How to become a blaster

  1. Finish high school
  2. Work on a drill and blast crew
  3. Train under a licensed blaster
  4. Pass licensing exams
  5. Get ATF clearance

A high school diploma, experience and long-term training are typical.

Step-by-step guide to becoming a blaster →

Skills and tools

Technical skills

  • Blast design
  • Explosives handling
  • Timing systems
  • Vibration monitoring
  • Regulations

People skills

  • Discipline
  • Attention to detail
  • Calm
  • Responsibility

All blaster skills and tools →

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Specialized skill
  • Good pay
  • Licensed trade
  • Outdoor work

Cons

  • Serious hazards
  • Heavy regulation
  • Weather
  • Liability

Certifications and licenses

  • State blaster license: Required.
  • ATF clearance: Required for explosives.
  • MSHA training: At mines.
  • OSM certification: Coal mines.

Career path

  1. Blaster Helper: Entry.
  2. Licensed Blaster: Blast.
  3. Blast Supervisor: Lead.
  4. Drill and Blast Manager: Manage.

Learn the job before day one

Our Blaster training (12 hours, $109.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as clear and guard a blast area and handle a misfire, safety and how to land your first job.

View Blaster trainingIs this career right for me?

Mining Engineer

Design safe, efficient mines to extract minerals and metals.

  • $106,220
  • 4-year engineering degree

Construction Laborer

Prepare sites, move materials, pour concrete and support every trade on the job.

  • $47,120
  • Days to weeks (on the job)

Compare: Blaster vs. Surface Mining Equipment Operator · Blaster vs. Mining Engineer · Blaster vs. Construction Laborer · Blaster vs. Quarry Rock Splitter

Blaster FAQ

Do blasters need a license?

Yes, plus ATF clearance.

Is it dangerous?

It has serious risks controlled by strict rules.

Is the job growing?

BLS projects little change.

How much does a blaster make?

The median annual wage for blasters was $61,390 ($29.51 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $40,480 and the highest 10% earned more than $99,360.

How long does it take to become a blaster?

Most people need about 1–2 years of training of training. A high school diploma, experience and long-term training are typical.

Do you need a degree to be a blaster?

No four-year degree is typically required. BLS lists “high school diploma or equivalent” as the typical entry-level education, plus long-term on-the-job training.

More blaster questions →

Sources

Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.

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