Blast hole driller vs core sampler

The differences between blast hole drillers and core samplers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a blast hole driller and a core sampler. Additionally, a blast hole driller has an average salary of $51,719, which is higher than the $42,760 average annual salary of a core sampler.

Blast hole driller vs core sampler overview

	Blast Hole Driller	Core Sampler
Yearly salary	$51,719	$42,760
Hourly rate	$24.86	$20.56
Growth rate	-	-3%
Number of jobs	887	270
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 55%	High School Diploma, 43%
Average age	38	38
Years of experience	2	2

Blast hole driller vs core sampler salary

Blast hole drillers and core samplers have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Blast Hole Driller	Core Sampler
Average salary	$51,719	$42,760
Salary range	Between $33,000 And $80,000	Between $23,000 And $78,000
Highest paying City	-	-
Highest paying state	-	-
Best paying company	-	-
Best paying industry	-	-

Differences between blast hole driller and core sampler education

There are a few differences between a blast hole driller and a core sampler in terms of educational background:

	Blast Hole Driller	Core Sampler
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 55%	High School Diploma, 43%
Most common major	Business	General Studies
Most common college	-	-

Blast hole driller vs core sampler demographics

Here are the differences between blast hole drillers' and core samplers' demographics:

	Blast Hole Driller	Core Sampler
Average age	38	38
Gender ratio	Male, 96.1% Female, 3.9%	Male, 30.8% Female, 69.2%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 5.4% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 15.2% Asian, 0.8% White, 74.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%	Black or African American, 5.4% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 15.2% Asian, 0.8% White, 74.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage	3%	3%

Differences between blast hole driller and core sampler duties and responsibilities

Blast hole driller example responsibilities.

Provide leadership and guidance to direct reports, and manage their efforts to maximize their contribution to operational effectiveness and performance.
Drill, blast, run some equipment as needed
Operate hoists to lift power line poles into position.
Maintain and follow MSHA and company rules and policies while on duty.
Pump water from pit, set up light plants, and move trail cable for earth-moving shovels.
Plan layout, drill shots, MSHA federal inspections, keep and maintain powder magazines and need inventory paperwork.

Core sampler example responsibilities.

Change out augers and hollow stems and take samples and box them and label them and return them to the engineers.
Dig holes, set forms, and mix and pour concrete, for foundations of steel or wooden derricks.

Blast hole driller vs core sampler skills

Common blast hole driller skills

MSHA, 46%
RAN, 12%
CPR, 9%
Construction Sites, 8%
CDL, 7%
Drill Bits, 6%

Common core sampler skills

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Driller responsibilities

Updated January 8, 2025

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