Occupation · SOC 47-5032
Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters
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.
Median wage
$59,110
$45,160–$104,210
Projected growth
—
—
Annual openings
—
per year
Employed (US)
5,680
Job Zone 2
Typical preparation
Some preparation
Stackable credential programs
30 mapped
Core skills
Active ListeningMonitoringJudgment and Decision MakingCritical ThinkingOperations MonitoringOperation and ControlTime ManagementSpeakingComplex Problem SolvingReading ComprehensionCoordinationActive LearningManagement of Personnel ResourcesLearning StrategiesInstructingWritingSocial PerceptivenessTroubleshootingSystems EvaluationSystems AnalysisService OrientationNegotiationQuality Control AnalysisPersuasionMathematicsEquipment SelectionEquipment MaintenanceOperations AnalysisRepairingManagement of Material ResourcesScienceTechnology DesignManagement of Financial ResourcesInstallationProgramming
Knowledge areas
Public Safety and SecurityLaw and GovernmentMathematicsEngineering and TechnologyTransportationCustomer and Personal ServiceAdministration and ManagementEnglish LanguageProduction and ProcessingMechanicalAdministrativeDesignEducation and TrainingPersonnel and Human ResourcesBuilding and ConstructionSales and MarketingPhysicsChemistryEconomics and AccountingComputers and ElectronicsGeographyPsychologyCommunications and MediaTelecommunicationsMedicine and DentistryHistory and ArcheologyTherapy and CounselingSociology and AnthropologyBiologyPhilosophy and TheologyForeign LanguageFine ArtsFood Production
Technology & tools
Autodesk AutoCADBlaster's Tool and Supply Company Blaster's CalculatorDatavis DBS DesignerDetNet ViewShotESRI ArcGIS softwareGlobal positioning system GPS softwareMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft Office softwareMicrosoft OutlookMicrosoft PowerPointMicrosoft Word
Representative tasks
Making Decisions and Solving ProblemsGetting InformationEvaluating Information to Determine Compliance with StandardsDocumenting/Recording InformationPerforming General Physical ActivitiesInspecting Equipment, Structures, or MaterialsHandling and Moving ObjectsUpdating and Using Relevant KnowledgeMonitoring Processes, Materials, or SurroundingsIdentifying Objects, Actions, and EventsTraining and Teaching OthersOperating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or EquipmentOrganizing, Planning, and Prioritizing WorkControlling Machines and ProcessesEstimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or InformationJudging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or PeopleCommunicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesProcessing InformationCoordinating the Work and Activities of OthersScheduling Work and ActivitiesCommunicating with People Outside the OrganizationThinking CreativelyPerforming Administrative ActivitiesGuiding, Directing, and Motivating SubordinatesDeveloping and Building TeamsMonitoring and Controlling ResourcesCoaching and Developing OthersAnalyzing Data or InformationEstablishing and Maintaining Interpersonal RelationshipsRepairing and Maintaining Mechanical EquipmentDeveloping Objectives and StrategiesResolving Conflicts and Negotiating with OthersInterpreting the Meaning of Information for OthersPerforming for or Working Directly with the PublicProviding Consultation and Advice to OthersDrafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and EquipmentAssisting and Caring for OthersRepairing and Maintaining Electronic EquipmentWorking with ComputersStaffing Organizational Units
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Blast area boundaries — identify and mark using safety cones under direct supervisor guidance at a construction or quarry site.Explosive charge types — recognize and distinguish among dynamite, ammonium nitrate, and black powder when following written handling protocols.Blast hole depths — measure using weighted tape measures under close supervision at a drill site.Safety signals — perform worker-clearance signaling procedures following established site protocols before any detonation.Explosive materials records — assist in compiling gun and explosives logs under direction to meet local and federal compliance requirements.Tamping and packing procedures — follow step-by-step instructions to shovel drill cuttings and compact explosive charges in blast holes.Personal protective equipment — select and don required PPE correctly before entering any blast zone on a supervised work site.Delaying fuse lengths — cut and handle specified fuse segments under supervision while observing timed-sequence safety requirements.Drilling pattern markings — read and interpret charge-hole location diagrams issued by a lead blaster on a surface blasting site.Active listening and instruction-following — receive and confirm verbal safety directives from supervisors in a loud, high-hazard blasting environment.
developing
Blast area assessments — examine charge locations and surrounding conditions routinely to verify compliance with safety laws at excavation or demolition sites.Explosive charge placement — insert and position charges in blast holes with reduced oversight, adjusting packing methods to match site soil or rock conditions.Delaying fuse patterns — tie specified fuse lengths into timed sequences independently to achieve planned explosion intervals on a multi-hole blast.Hole-depth measurements — measure and record drilled blast hole depths using weighted tape measures, flagging discrepancies for corrective action.Explosive loading calculations — apply basic mathematics to determine appropriate charge quantities based on assessed material type and blast area dimensions.Safety-zone coordination — set safety cones, monitor worker positions, and issue clearance signals without prompting before each detonation event.Explosives and gun records — compile and maintain compliant logs in spreadsheet or office software in accordance with local and federal regulations.Detonation operations — detonate explosive charges to loosen or displace earth, rock, or structures, following site-specific shot plans with moderate supervision.Drilling instructions — mark charge-hole patterns and depths on site drawings and communicate drilling instructions clearly to drill operators.Hazard monitoring — observe blast site conditions during and after detonation, identifying misfires or unexpected outcomes and reporting them to the shift supervisor.
proficient
Blast design evaluation — autonomously assess blast areas for complex terrain, structure proximity, and material variability to determine optimal explosive types and charge amounts.Non-routine misfire response — diagnose and safely resolve misfired charges using established protocols, exercising independent judgment in high-pressure demolition or quarry environments.Multi-sequence fuse architecture — engineer and tie intricate delay-fuse patterns to coordinate precise multi-stage detonation sequences for large-scale excavation or demolition projects.Charge placement in confined environments — execute explosive loading in structurally complex or restricted spaces, adapting packing and tamping techniques to non-standard conditions.Regulatory compliance management — independently compile, audit, and submit gun and explosives records to ensure full compliance with all applicable local and federal statutes.Drilling program direction — develop detailed drilling instructions, specifying hole patterns, angles, and depths for drill crews based on site geological assessments.CAD and GIS tool application — use computer-aided design and geographic information system software to model blast zones, optimize shot plans, and document spatial data.Critical problem-solving under time pressure — evaluate unexpected geological, structural, or environmental conditions mid-operation and adapt the blasting plan without compromising safety.Cross-functional coordination — collaborate with engineers, site supervisors, and equipment operators to integrate blasting schedules into overall project timelines on construction sites.Incident documentation and analysis — prepare detailed post-blast reports, analyze outcomes against planned parameters, and recommend process adjustments for future operations.
advanced
Organizational blasting standards — establish and continuously improve site-wide safety protocols, procedures, and training curricula for all explosives workers across multiple projects.Regulatory strategy and advocacy — interpret evolving federal and local explosives law, represent the organization in compliance audits, and guide policy updates for gun and explosives record systems.Workforce competency development — mentor and evaluate blasters at all skill levels, designing structured on-the-job learning pathways aligned with Job Zone 2 credential requirements.Complex demolition planning — lead full-scope blast design for high-risk or high-visibility projects, integrating engineering analysis, community impact assessment, and multi-agency coordination.Technology integration leadership — direct the adoption of analytical software, CAD platforms, and GIS tools across the blasting operation to improve precision and efficiency.Risk governance and decision authority — make final judgment calls on halting or modifying blast operations when safety, environmental, or regulatory conditions are unacceptable.Personnel resource management — allocate blasting crews, manage scheduling, and oversee performance of explosives handling teams across concurrent construction or extraction sites.Stakeholder and client communication — present blasting plans, risk assessments, and regulatory compliance status to project owners, government agencies, and community groups using professional presentation tools.Incident investigation and corrective action — lead post-incident investigations of blasting accidents or near-misses, identify root causes, and implement organization-wide corrective measures.Strategic planning for explosives operations — contribute to business-level decisions on equipment investment, subcontractor selection, and operational capacity to support long-term organizational growth in the blasting sector.
Also known as
109 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
Aircraft Ordnance TechnicianAmmunition and Explosives HandlerBlast DrillerBlast Hole DrillerBlast SetterBlast TechnicianBlasterBlasting Clay MinerBlasting Coal MinerBlasting Contract ManBlasting Contract MinerBlasting Entry SpecialistBlasting EntrymanBlasting Gang MinerBlasting MinerBomb TechnicianCharge Entry SpecialistCharge SpecialistChargerCoal ShooterCompany Blasting MinerCopper Blasting MinerDemolition ExpertDemolition WorkerDemolitionistDobie ManDobie WorkerDriftmanDynamite ShooterDynamiterEfficiency Blasting MinerEquipment OperatorExplosive Detection Canine Handler (Explosive Detection K9 Handler)Explosive ExpertExplosive ManExplosive Ordinance Disposal SpecialistExplosive Ordnance Disposal SpecialistExplosive Ordnance Disposal TechnicianExplosive Ordnance HandlerExplosive Ordnance Specialist