Blast hole driller vs hole digger operator

The differences between blast hole drillers and hole digger operators 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 hole digger operator. Additionally, a blast hole driller has an average salary of $51,719, which is higher than the $41,681 average annual salary of a hole digger operator.

Blast hole driller vs hole digger operator overview

	Blast Hole Driller	Hole Digger Operator
Yearly salary	$51,719	$41,681
Hourly rate	$24.86	$20.04
Growth rate	-	4%
Number of jobs	887	32,655
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 55%	High School Diploma, 56%
Average age	38	38
Years of experience	2	2

Blast hole driller vs hole digger operator salary

Blast hole drillers and hole digger operators have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Blast Hole Driller	Hole Digger Operator
Average salary	$51,719	$41,681
Salary range	Between $33,000 And $80,000	Between $30,000 And $57,000
Highest paying City	-	-
Highest paying state	-	-
Best paying company	-	-
Best paying industry	-	-

Differences between blast hole driller and hole digger operator education

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

	Blast Hole Driller	Hole Digger Operator
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 55%	High School Diploma, 56%
Most common major	Business	Biology
Most common college	-	-

Blast hole driller vs hole digger operator demographics

Here are the differences between blast hole drillers' and hole digger operators' demographics:

	Blast Hole Driller	Hole Digger Operator
Average age	38	38
Gender ratio	Male, 96.1% Female, 3.9%	Male, 87.9% Female, 12.1%
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 hole digger operator 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.

Hole digger operator example responsibilities.

Operate heavy machinery such as bobcat equipment and also operate and pave asphalt perform demolition work.
Load and unload merchandise from trucksDaily equipment checksDispose of waste following DHEC regulations

Blast hole driller vs hole digger operator skills

Common blast hole driller skills

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

Common hole digger operator skills

Blast Hole Driller vs. similar jobs

Blast Hole Driller related careers

Blast Hole Driller related jobs

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Driller responsibilities

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Construction and Extraction Industry
Blast Hole Driller
Blast Hole Driller vs Hole Digger Operator

Updated January 8, 2025

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