How To Become A Blaster: What It Is and Career Path

What is a blaster and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

3 min read

Also known as an Explosive Ordnance Handler or Blast Setter, the main responsibility of a blaster is to place and detonate explosives. They usually work on building demolition projects, loosening rocks and other structures to displace them or dislodge minerals from them. Blasters work under potentially dangerous conditions and handle heavy equipment and machinery. You will test surfaces in quarries, underground mines, and buildings to examine their strength and determine the right amount and type of explosive to use on them. You will also mark target areas for the blast and drill holes to be packed with explosives. The blaster is in charge of compacting a charge, connecting wires to explosives, and detonating them.

To become a blaster, you need a high school diploma or GED. An apprenticeship program or on-site training is also needed to get the experience needed to perform the responsibilities of this role. Blasters must be highly knowledgeable in handling explosives and should be good at working safely with the mechanisms involved. Blasters earn an average hourly income of $17.23 per hour or $31,823 yearly.

ScoreBlasterUS Average

Salary

3.3

Avg. Salary $41,789

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

8.7

Growth rate 1%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

0.3

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native -0.83%

Asian 1.12%

Black or African American 12.83%

Hispanic or Latino 22.19%

Unknown 4.23%

White 60.47%

Gender

female 4.66%

male 95.34%

Age - 25

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 25

Stress level

8.7

Stress level is very high

7.1 - high

Complexity level

9.4

Complexity level is advanced

7 - challenging

Work life balance

2.1

Work life balance is very poor

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become a blaster

Explore blaster education requirements

Most common blaster degrees

High School Diploma

54.7 %

Diploma

16.6 %

Associate

10.9 %

Start to develop specific blaster skills

Skills	Percentages
CDL	24.90%
Hand Tools	14.30%
ATF	8.14%
Fall Protection	5.93%
Blast Equipment	5.77%

Complete relevant blaster training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 2-4 years on post-employment, on-the-job training. New blasters learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a blaster based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real blaster resumes.

Research blaster duties and responsibilities

Blast rail freight cars with steel grit to achieve require blast profile per paint specifications or customer's request.
Blast paint off of aluminum wheels in cabinet.
Lead foreman - run pipe sandblasting crew on site at oil field refineries.
Operate bobcat, emulsion, truck, and other equipment necessary to blasting.

Prepare your blaster resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your blaster resume.

You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a blaster resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

Choose from 10+ customizable blaster resume templates

Build a professional blaster resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your blaster resume.