How much does a blaster make?
a year · about $30 an hour
A typical blaster in the United States makes $61,390 a year, about $30 an hour, about the same as a typical US worker (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
What do they do?
They inspect the worksite, plan the blast, mark danger zones, and prepare charges in drilled holes. After warning everyone and setting off the blast, they inspect the rubble and write required records.
Did you know? In U.S. construction tunnels, workers must wait at least 15 minutes after a blast for smoke and fumes to clear, and the blaster checks for unexploded charges before anyone returns.
Is that a lot?
Compared with jobs you knowIf 100 people had this job
Most earn between $40,480 and $99,360How do you become one?
Finish high school or a GED, then train as a helper under an experienced blaster. Federal rules bar under-18s from many hazardous blasting settings; some states require age 21, supervised experience, a course, and an exam for a license.
School needed: High school plus some training
Good for people who like building and doing and keeping things organized
Why does pay differ?
In the United States, experience and state licenses or certificates for a specialty can affect pay. The employer and industry, location, type of blasting, and long or changing work schedules can also make a difference.
Where does it pay most?
Highest in New Jersey ($100,520), lowest in Iowa ($39,520).
See every state
Top 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.
Jobs like this
Data table and sources
| Lower earner (10th from bottom) | Typical person (median) | Higher earner (10th from top) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|---|
| $40,480 | $61,390 | $99,360 | about 5,000 |
| State | Typical person (median) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey | $100,520 | — |
| New York | $96,940 | — |
| North Carolina | $85,630 | about 160 |
| Wyoming | $85,070 | about 60 |
| Pennsylvania | $84,400 | — |
Official definition: 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.
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 (bls.gov); descriptions and related jobs from O*NET 31.0. Figures as of May 2025, full-time yearly pay (hourly × 2,080 hours). bls.gov/oes · O*NET OnLine
Pages used for the text
- www.bls.gov/oes/2023/may/oes475032.htm
- www.onetonline.org/link/summary/47-5032.00
- www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2015/article/wage-differences.htm
- www.osmre.gov/programs/regulating-active-coal-mines/blaster-training
- www.pa.gov/agencies/dep/programs-and-services/mining/bureau-of-district-mining-o
- www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/1926/1926.910
Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY