Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters
Low26.46%
Salary Range
Low (10th %)$42,670
Median$61,590
High (90th %)$89,400
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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.
The occupation "Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters" has a relatively low automation risk of 26.5%, only slightly below the base risk of 26.9%. This suggests that while some aspects of the job are susceptible to automation, many core responsibilities still require human expertise and judgment. Tasks such as planning and safely executing explosive operations often involve complex variables and in-the-moment decisions, which current automation technologies struggle to replicate effectively. The dynamic and high-risk nature of the work means that human oversight remains critical, especially when adapting to unexpected conditions or responding to emergencies on site. Among the most automatable tasks in this occupation are those that heavily rely on standardized procedures and repetitive actions. For instance, "Examining blast areas to determine amounts and kinds of explosive charges needed and to ensure that safety laws are observed" can be partially automated through sensors, computational modeling, and compliance software. Similarly, "Tying specified lengths of delaying fuses into patterns to time sequences of explosions," and "Placing safety cones around blast areas and signaling workers" are relatively repetitive and could be handled by robotics and signaling systems. These tasks involve routine procedures that can be standardized and programmed into automated systems, reducing the need for human intervention. Conversely, the top three most automation-resistant tasks in this field demand nuanced control, adaptive thinking, and skilled equipment operation. "Signaling crane operators to move equipment" requires real-time judgment and communication, often in varied and unpredictable environments. Tasks such as "Setting up and operating equipment like hoists, jackhammers, and drills to bore charge holes," and "Operating machines to flush earth cuttings or to blow dust from holes," involve significant manual dexterity, adaptation to unique site conditions, and the ability to troubleshoot unexpected issues. These activities are further protected from automation by bottleneck skills such as originality—scored at 2.9% and 3.0%—highlighting that creative problem-solving and innovative thinking are essential to safely and efficiently handling explosives, making full automation less feasible in the foreseeable future.
Filter by Automatable Status
Examine blast areas to determine amounts and kinds of explosive charges needed and to ensure that safety laws are observed.
Partially Automatable
Tie specified lengths of delaying fuses into patterns in order to time sequences of explosions.
Non-Automatable
Place explosive charges in holes or other spots; then detonate explosives to demolish structures or to loosen, remove, or displace earth, rock, or other materials.
Partially Automatable
Insert, pack, and pour explosives, such as dynamite, ammonium nitrate, black powder, or slurries into blast holes; then shovel drill cuttings, admit water into boreholes, and tamp material to compact charges.
Non-Automatable
Mark patterns, locations, and depths of charge holes for drilling, and issue drilling instructions.
Partially Automatable
Compile and keep gun and explosives records in compliance with local and federal laws.
Partially Automatable
Measure depths of drilled blast holes, using weighted tape measures.
Non-Automatable
Connect electrical wire to primers, and cover charges or fill blast holes with clay, drill chips, sand, or other material.
Non-Automatable
Lay primacord between rows of charged blast holes, and tie cord into main lines to form blast patterns.
Non-Automatable
Assemble and position equipment, explosives, and blasting caps in holes at specified depths, or load perforating guns or torpedoes with explosives.
Non-Automatable
Verify detonation of charges by observing control panels, or by listening for the sounds of blasts.
Automatable
Light fuses, drop detonating devices into wells or boreholes, or activate firing devices with plungers, dials, or buttons, in order to set off single or multiple blasts.
Non-Automatable
Drive trucks to transport explosives and blasting equipment to blasting sites.
Non-Automatable
Cut specified lengths of primacord and attach primers to cord ends.
Non-Automatable
Maintain inventory levels, ordering new supplies as necessary.
Automatable
Repair and service blasting, shooting, and automotive equipment, and electrical wiring and instruments, using hand tools.
Partially Automatable
Set up and operate short-wave radio or field telephone equipment to transmit and receive blast information.
Partially Automatable
Insert waterproof sealers, bullets, and/or powder charges into guns, and screw gun ports back into place.
Non-Automatable
Clean, gauge, and lubricate gun ports.
Non-Automatable
Create and lay out designs for drill and blast patterns.
Partially Automatable
Document geological formations encountered during work.
Partially Automatable
Operate machines to flush earth cuttings or to blow dust from holes.
Partially Automatable
Set up and operate equipment such as hoists, jackhammers, and drills, in order to bore charge holes.
Non-Automatable
Signal crane operators to move equipment.
Partially Automatable
Place safety cones around blast areas to alert other workers of danger zones, and signal workers as necessary to ensure that they clear blast sites prior to explosions.
Non-Automatable
Move and store inventories of explosives, loaded perforating guns, and other materials, according to established safety procedures.
Non-Automatable
Lower perforating guns into wells, using hoists; then use measuring devices and instrument panels to position guns in correct positions for taking samples.
Partially Automatable
Reading ComprehensionActive ListeningCritical ThinkingNegotiationComplex Problem SolvingOperations MonitoringEquipment MaintenanceSystems AnalysisManagement of Material ResourcesWritingSpeakingMathematicsScienceActive LearningLearning StrategiesMonitoringSocial PerceptivenessCoordinationPersuasionInstructingService OrientationOperations AnalysisTechnology DesignEquipment SelectionInstallationProgrammingOperation and ControlTroubleshootingRepairingQuality Control AnalysisJudgment and Decision MakingSystems EvaluationTime ManagementManagement of Financial ResourcesManagement of Personnel Resources
Arm-Hand SteadinessAuditory AttentionCategory FlexibilityControl PrecisionDeductive ReasoningDepth PerceptionDynamic FlexibilityDynamic StrengthExplosive StrengthExtent FlexibilityFar VisionFinger DexterityFlexibility of ClosureFluency of IdeasGlare SensitivityGross Body CoordinationGross Body EquilibriumHearing SensitivityInductive ReasoningInformation OrderingManual DexterityMathematical ReasoningMemorizationMultilimb CoordinationNear VisionNight VisionNumber FacilityOral ComprehensionOral ExpressionOriginalityPerceptual SpeedPeripheral VisionProblem SensitivityRate ControlReaction TimeResponse OrientationSelective AttentionSound LocalizationSpatial OrientationSpeech ClaritySpeech RecognitionSpeed of ClosureSpeed of Limb MovementStaminaStatic StrengthTime SharingTrunk StrengthVisual Color DiscriminationVisualizationWrist-Finger SpeedWritten ComprehensionWritten Expression
Administration and ManagementAdministrativeEconomics and AccountingSales and MarketingCustomer and Personal ServicePersonnel and Human ResourcesProduction and ProcessingFood ProductionComputers and ElectronicsEngineering and TechnologyDesignBuilding and ConstructionHistory and ArcheologyPhilosophy and TheologyMechanicalMathematicsPhysicsChemistryBiologyPsychologySociology and AnthropologyGeographyMedicine and DentistryForeign LanguageEnglish LanguageFine ArtsEducation and TrainingLaw and GovernmentTelecommunicationsCommunications and MediaTransportationTherapy and CounselingPublic Safety and Security
Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or MaterialsMonitoring Processes, Materials, or SurroundingsEstimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or InformationGetting InformationIdentifying Objects, Actions, and EventsJudging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or PeopleProcessing InformationEvaluating Information to Determine Compliance with StandardsAnalyzing Data or InformationMaking Decisions and Solving ProblemsThinking CreativelyUpdating and Using Relevant KnowledgeHandling and Moving ObjectsControlling Machines and ProcessesOperating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or EquipmentWorking with ComputersRepairing and Maintaining Electronic EquipmentDocumenting/Recording InformationDrafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and EquipmentInterpreting the Meaning of Information for OthersCommunicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesCommunicating with People Outside the OrganizationEstablishing and Maintaining Interpersonal RelationshipsOrganizing, Planning, and Prioritizing WorkAssisting and Caring for OthersSelling or Influencing OthersRepairing and Maintaining Mechanical EquipmentResolving Conflicts and Negotiating with OthersPerforming for or Working Directly with the PublicCoordinating the Work and Activities of OthersDeveloping and Building TeamsTraining and Teaching OthersGuiding, Directing, and Motivating SubordinatesCoaching and Developing OthersProviding Consultation and Advice to OthersPerforming Administrative ActivitiesStaffing Organizational UnitsMonitoring and Controlling ResourcesDeveloping Objectives and StrategiesScheduling Work and ActivitiesPerforming General Physical Activities
Datavis DBS DesignerDetNet ViewShotMicrosoft PowerPointESRI ArcGIS softwareMicrosoft WordAutodesk AutoCADMicrosoft OutlookDatavis DBS DesignerDetNet ViewShotMicrosoft PowerPointESRI ArcGIS softwareMicrosoft WordMicrosoft OutlookAutodesk AutoCADGlobal positioning system GPS softwareGlobal positioning system GPS softwareBlaster's Tool and Supply Company Blaster's CalculatorBlaster's Tool and Supply Company Blaster's CalculatorMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft Office softwareMicrosoft Office software
Construction Laborers
Low21.08%
Perform tasks involving physical labor at construction sites. May operate hand and power tools of all types: air hammers, earth tampers, cement mixers, small mechanical hoists, surveying and measuring equipment, and a variety of other equipment and instruments. May clean and prepare sites, dig trenches, set braces to support the sides of excavations, erect scaffolding, and clean up rubble, debris, and other waste materials. May assist other craft workers.
Pile Driver Operators
Low24.77%
Operate pile drivers mounted on skids, barges, crawler treads, or locomotive cranes to drive pilings for retaining walls, bulkheads, and foundations of structures such as buildings, bridges, and piers.
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators
Medium39.01%
Operate one or several types of power construction equipment, such as motor graders, bulldozers, scrapers, compressors, pumps, derricks, shovels, tractors, or front-end loaders to excavate, move, and grade earth, erect structures, or pour concrete or other hard surface pavement. May repair and maintain equipment in addition to other duties.
Hazardous Materials Removal Workers
Medium36.40%
Identify, remove, pack, transport, or dispose of hazardous materials, including asbestos, lead-based paint, waste oil, fuel, transmission fluid, radioactive materials, or contaminated soil. Specialized training and certification in hazardous materials handling or a confined entry permit are generally required. May operate earth-moving equipment or trucks.
Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas
Low27.15%
Set up or operate a variety of drills to remove underground oil and gas, or remove core samples for testing during oil and gas exploration.
Service Unit Operators, Oil and Gas
Medium38.98%
Operate equipment to increase oil flow from producing wells or to remove stuck pipe, casing, tools, or other obstructions from drilling wells. Includes fishing-tool technicians.
Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining
Medium34.02%
Operate or tend machinery at surface mining site, equipped with scoops, shovels, or buckets to excavate and load loose materials.
Earth Drillers, Except Oil and Gas
Medium37.50%
Operate a variety of drills such as rotary, churn, and pneumatic to tap subsurface water and salt deposits, to remove core samples during mineral exploration or soil testing, and to facilitate the use of explosives in mining or construction. Includes horizontal and earth boring machine operators.
Continuous Mining Machine Operators
Low31.32%
Operate self-propelled mining machines that rip coal, metal and nonmetal ores, rock, stone, or sand from the mine face and load it onto conveyors, shuttle cars, or trucks in a continuous operation.
Roof Bolters, Mining
Low17.67%
Operate machinery to install roof support bolts in underground mine.
Roustabouts, Oil and Gas
Low17.13%
Assemble or repair oil field equipment using hand and power tools. Perform other tasks as needed.
Helpers--Extraction Workers
Low24.71%
Help extraction craft workers, such as earth drillers, blasters and explosives workers, derrick operators, and mining machine operators, by performing duties requiring less skill. Duties include supplying equipment or cleaning work area.
Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines
Medium41.90%
Diagnose, adjust, repair, or overhaul mobile mechanical, hydraulic, and pneumatic equipment, such as cranes, bulldozers, graders, and conveyors, used in construction, logging, and mining.
Maintenance Workers, Machinery
Low32.98%
Lubricate machinery, change parts, or perform other routine machinery maintenance.
Riggers
Low19.42%
Set up or repair rigging for construction projects, manufacturing plants, logging yards, ships and shipyards, or for the entertainment industry.
Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers
Low28.35%
Assemble, fit, fasten, and install parts of airplanes, space vehicles, or missiles, such as tails, wings, fuselage, bulkheads, stabilizers, landing gear, rigging and control equipment, or heating and ventilating systems.
Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
Medium34.24%
Set up, operate, or tend forging machines to taper, shape, or form metal or plastic parts.
Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
Medium47.79%
Set up, operate, or tend welding, soldering, or brazing machines or robots that weld, braze, solder, or heat treat metal products, components, or assemblies. Includes workers who operate laser cutters or laser-beam machines.
Hoist and Winch Operators
Low24.71%
Operate or tend hoists or winches to lift and pull loads using power-operated cable equipment.
Pump Operators, Except Wellhead Pumpers
Medium61.86%
Tend, control, or operate power-driven, stationary, or portable pumps and manifold systems to transfer gases, oil, other liquids, slurries, or powdered materials to and from various vessels and processes.
Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas
Low26.38%
Rig derrick equipment and operate pumps to circulate mud or fluid through drill hole.