Career comparison
Blaster vs. Construction Laborer
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Blasters earn more at the median ($61,390 vs. $47,120), while construction laborers usually get to work faster (Days to weeks (on the job) of training). Blasters load and set off explosives to break rock at mines, quarries and construction sites. Construction laborers prepare sites, move materials, pour concrete and support every trade on the job.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Blaster | Construction Laborer | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $61,390 ($29.51/hr) | $47,120 ($22.66/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $40,480 – $99,360 | $35,090 – $78,090 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | 0.0% (little or no change) | +7.3% (much faster than average) |
| Openings per year | 400 | 120,000 |
| Typical entry education | High school diploma or equivalent | No formal educational credential |
| Training time | 1–2 years of training | Days to weeks (on the job) |
| Key credential | State blaster license | OSHA 10-Hour Construction |
| Work setting | Blasters work at mines, quarries and construction sites.. | Laborers work outdoors in all kinds of weather on construction sites, roadways and demolition projects. |
What each job does
Blaster
- Design blast patterns
- Load drill holes
- Set timing
- Clear blast areas
- Detonate charges
Construction Laborer
- Prepare and clean job sites, removing debris and hazards
- Load, unload and move building materials
- Dig, backfill and compact trenches and foundations
- Mix, pour and spread concrete and asphalt
- Erect and dismantle scaffolding, barricades and forms
How they’re similar
Both careers involve hands-on work, working outdoors, and teamwork. They sit in different fields, energy & utilities and skilled trades & construction, but share transferable skills such as discipline and reliability and punctuality.
Which should you choose?
Choose blaster if…
- I follow procedures exactly
- I stay calm
- I’m responsible
Choose construction laborer if…
- I like physical work and staying active all day
- I don’t mind getting dirty or working in bad weather
- I want to start working right away
Still torn? Take the Blaster fit quiz and the Construction Laborer fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, blaster or construction laborer?
Blasters earn more at the median: $61,390 versus $47,120 for construction laborers, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Construction Laborers typically train faster (Days to weeks (on the job)) than blasters (1–2 years of training).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects construction laborers to grow +7.3% from 2025–35, compared with 0.0% for blasters.