Derrick & Rotary Drill Operators vs Explosives Workers & Blasters
Median pay is about $3k higher for Explosives Workers & Blasters. The usual entry education is no formal credential for Derrick & Rotary Drill Operators and high school for Explosives Workers & Blasters.
marks the higher pay or growth. Education, difficulty and the AI rows depend on what you want, so they are not marked.
| Measure | Derrick & Rotary Drill Operators | Explosives Workers & Blasters |
|---|---|---|
| Pay | ||
| Median pay | $58,620 | $61,390, higher |
| Entry pay 25th percentile | $49,880, higher | $49,630 |
| Experienced pay 75th percentile | $71,610 | $80,370, higher |
| Outlook, 2025 to 2035 | ||
| Projected growth | +1.6% Growing, higher | 0.0% Stable |
| Openings a year | 900 | 400 |
| Getting in | ||
| Typical education | No formal credential | High school |
| Difficulty modeled | 2.2 / 5 | 3 / 5 |
| AI | ||
| Displacement risk modeled | Low | Low |
| AI exposure modeled, percentile | 10th pct | 17th pct |
Where the skills differ
Only Derrick & Rotary Drill Operators
- Writing
Only Explosives Workers & Blasters
- Active Learning
Both lean on critical thinking, speaking, monitoring, active listening, reading comprehension.
More comparisons
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Pay and outlook: BLS (OEWS 2025, Employment Projections 2025-2035). Skills: O*NET 30.3. Difficulty, displacement risk and AI exposure are modeled estimates. How these numbers are made.