Blast hole driller vs post hole digger

The differences between blast hole drillers and post hole diggers 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 post hole digger. Additionally, a blast hole driller has an average salary of $51,719, which is higher than the $47,153 average annual salary of a post hole digger.

The top three skills for a blast hole driller include MSHA, RAN and CPR. The most important skills for a post hole digger are DIG, , and .

Blast hole driller vs post hole digger overview

	Blast Hole Driller	Post Hole Digger
Yearly salary	$51,719	$47,153
Hourly rate	$24.86	$22.67
Growth rate	-	4%
Number of jobs	887	3,912
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 55%	High School Diploma, 50%
Average age	38	38
Years of experience	2	2

Blast hole driller vs post hole digger salary

Blast hole drillers and post hole diggers have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Blast Hole Driller	Post Hole Digger
Average salary	$51,719	$47,153
Salary range	Between $33,000 And $80,000	Between $24,000 And $90,000
Highest paying City	-	-
Highest paying state	-	-
Best paying company	-	-
Best paying industry	-	-

Differences between blast hole driller and post hole digger education

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

	Blast Hole Driller	Post Hole Digger
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 55%	High School Diploma, 50%
Most common major	Business	Criminal Justice
Most common college	-	-

Blast hole driller vs post hole digger demographics

Here are the differences between blast hole drillers' and post hole diggers' demographics:

	Blast Hole Driller	Post Hole Digger
Average age	38	38
Gender ratio	Male, 96.1% Female, 3.9%	Male, 100.0% Female, 0.0%
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 post hole digger 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.

Post hole digger example responsibilities.

sod laying, mowing, trimming, planting, watering, fertilizing, digging, raking, sprinkler installation.
Assemble and position machines, augers, casing pipes, and other equipment, using hand and power tools.

Blast hole driller vs post hole digger skills

Common blast hole driller skills

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

Common post hole digger skills

DIG, 100%

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Updated January 8, 2025

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