Designs the drilling patterns and explosive charges used to break rock at mines, quarries and construction sites safely and efficiently. BLS does not publish separate figures for mining and geological engineers, including mining safety engineers; it counts them within mining and geological engineer, including mining safety engineers (SOC 17-2151), whose median pay is $106,220 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Typical entry-level education: Bachelor's degree.
- SOC 17-2151
- Architecture and Engineering
- Last updated October 9, 2026
At a glance
Drill and Blast Engineer in four numbers
- Median pay
- $106,220a year, or $51.07/hrBLS OEWS, May 2025Lowest 10% $67KTop 10% $170K
US median, all jobs: $50,980
- Projected growth
- +3.8%About as fast as averageBLS EP, 2025–2035This career+3.8%All jobs+3.5%
Projected employment change, 2025–2035 Item Value This career +3.8% All jobs +3.5% - Openings a year
- 3006,200 jobs todayBLS EP, 2025–2035
- Jobs in 20256.2K
- Projected 20356.4K
Employment, 2025–2035 Item Value Jobs in 2025 6.2K Projected 2035 6.4K - Typical education
- Bachelor'sneeded to enterBLS EP, 2025–2035; mix: O*NET
- Some college0.6%
- Associate's0.6%
- Bachelor's79.1%
- Post-bacc certificate16.7%
- Master's3%
Highest education held by mining and geological engineers, including mining safety engineers Segment Value Some college 0.6% Associate's 0.6% Bachelor's 79.1% Post-bacc certificate 16.7% Master's 3%
Also advertised as: Blasting Engineer, Blast Engineer, Explosives Engineer, Drill and Blast Superintendent, Blast Design Engineer.
Pay
How much do Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers make?
Every drill and blast engineer in the US, by percentile of annual wage
Median
$106,220
Middle half earn $85,280 to $136,590
- 10th
- $67,490
- 25th
- $85,280
- 75th
- $136,590
- 90th
- $169,990
All US occupations: $50,980
| Percentile | Value |
|---|---|
| 10th | $67,490 |
| 25th | $85,280 |
| Median | $106,220 |
| 75th | $136,590 |
| 90th | $169,990 |
| All US occupations | $50,980 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Median annual wage
- $106,220
- Median hourly wage
- $51.07/hr
- Mean annual wage
- $115,410
- People employed
- 6,080
Versus all US occupations
At $106,220, Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers earn 108% above the $50,980 median across all US occupations, a difference of $55,240 a year.
Versus architecture and engineering occupations
The median is typical for the Architecture and Engineering group, where the middle occupation pays $104,110.
Pay range
The top 10% earn $169,990 or more while the bottom 10% earn $67,490, a gap of 2.5×. That is a typical spread for a US occupation.
Rank in the bank
This median pays more than 80% of the 1,741 occupations in the NueCareer career bank.
Cost of living
California posts the highest raw median ($158,130), but once local prices are taken into account Oklahoma leads at $149,881 in national-average dollars.
Pay by state
Which states pay Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers the most?
State medians come from the same OEWS release as the national figures. The cost-of-living column divides each state median by that state's BEA Regional Price Parity, restating pay in national-average dollars so a high-cost state and a low-cost one can be compared directly.
| State | Median | COL-adjusted | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1California | $158,130 | $142,820 | 520 |
| 2Oklahoma | $131,660 | $149,881 | 90 |
| 3Utah | $125,520 | $126,962 | 230 |
| 4Alaska | $124,630 | $121,758 | 300 |
| 5Idaho | $123,680 | $129,516 | 110 |
| 6Wyoming | $119,010 | $128,394 | 210 |
| 7Florida | $117,500 | $113,621 | 50 |
| 8Indiana | $113,640 | $121,763 | 60 |
| 9Illinois | $107,690 | $107,735 | N/A |
| 10Nevada | $107,500 | $107,523 | 470 |
Job outlook
Is Drill and Blast Engineer a growing career?
Employment change over 2025–2035, against every US occupation
About as fast as average. +3.8% projected growth vs 3.5% for all occupations.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers | +3.8% |
| All US occupations | +3.5% |
Source: BLS EP, 2025–2035
About as fast as average
BLS projects employment of Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers to change 3.8% over 2025–2035, against 3.5% projected for all occupations. That is 200 more jobs.
Annual openings
About 300 openings are projected each year, 4.8% of the 6,200 jobs that existed in 2025. Most come from workers leaving the occupation, not from growth alone.
Getting in
How to become a Drill and Blast Engineer
A bachelor's degree in mining engineering is the most common path, with some engineers coming from civil or geological engineering. Mining programs at schools such as the Colorado School of Mines, Missouri S&T and Penn State teach explosives engineering.
The International Society of Explosives Engineers offers training and conferences, and state blaster licenses and MSHA training are needed for anyone working on mine sites. Many engineers start as junior mine engineers and specialize in drill and blast. Field time on drill rigs and with blasting crews gives engineers the practical sense needed to design shots well.
- 1
Typical entry-level education
Bachelor's degree
- 2
Work experience in a related occupation
None
- 3
Typical on-the-job training
None
- 4
Preparation needed (O*NET job zone)
Medium preparation
BLS Employment Projections, 2025–2035; job zone from O*NET 31.0 Database.
What education people in the job have
O*NET incumbent survey: the highest level of education reported by people already working as mining and geological engineers, including mining safety engineers.
- Bachelor's Degree79.1%
- Post-Baccalaureate Certificate16.7%
- Master's Degree3%
- Some College Courses0.6%
- Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree0.6%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Bachelor's Degree | 79.1% |
| Post-Baccalaureate Certificate | 16.7% |
| Master's Degree | 3% |
| Some College Courses | 0.6% |
| Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree | 0.6% |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
The work
What does a Drill and Blast Engineer do?
Drill and blast engineers decide how to break rock with explosives. They design the pattern of holes, how deep to drill, how much explosive to load in each hole and the timing of each detonation, so that rock breaks into the right size for loading and crushing.
They monitor vibration, air blast and flyrock to protect nearby people and structures, analyze fragmentation results, and adjust designs to reduce cost and improve safety. They work closely with drill crews, blasters, mine planners and explosives suppliers. They also manage explosives records and permits required by regulators.
Day-to-day tasks
- Design drill patterns and explosive loading plans
- Set detonation timing sequences
- Monitor ground vibration, air blast and flyrock
- Analyze rock fragmentation results
- Work with drill crews and blasters on site
- Manage explosives inventory and regulatory records
- Reduce drilling and blasting costs
Typical tasks, researched by NueCareer from the sources below.
Working conditions and hours
Drill and blast engineers work at open pit mines, underground mines and quarries, often in remote areas, splitting time between a site office and the pit. Fieldwork involves heat, cold, dust and heavy equipment. Some mines use rotational schedules. Blasting days follow strict exclusion zones and countdown procedures, and engineers often start early to inspect loaded patterns before the shot.
Where the work happens
Indoors, climate-controlled
NeverEvery dayOutdoors in all weather
NeverEvery day
Physical demands
Sitting
NeverAlmost all the timeStanding
NeverAlmost all the timeBending or twisting
NeverAlmost all the time
Working with people
Contact with other people
NoneConstantFace-to-face discussions
NeverEvery dayFace-to-face discussions every day.
Dealing with the public
Not importantExtremely important
Pressure and stakes
Strict deadlines
NeverEvery dayConflict situations
NeverEvery dayCost of a mistake
Not seriousExtremely serious
Autonomy
Freedom to decide
NoneA lotA lot of freedom to make decisions without checking first.
Conditions: O*NET Work Context survey. Each item has its own scale, so each dot is read against the two answers that end its own line.
Core skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Reading Comprehension4.0
- Writing4.0
- Speaking4.0
- Critical Thinking4.0
- Active Listening3.9
- Mathematics3.8
- Monitoring3.8
- Science3.5
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Reading Comprehension | 4.0 |
| Writing | 4.0 |
| Speaking | 4.0 |
| Critical Thinking | 4.0 |
| Active Listening | 3.9 |
| Mathematics | 3.8 |
| Monitoring | 3.8 |
| Science | 3.5 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Transferable skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Complex Problem Solving4.1
- Judgment and Decision Making4.0
- Systems Analysis3.8
- Systems Evaluation3.8
- Coordination3.5
- Time Management3.4
- Instructing3.1
- Operations Analysis3.1
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Complex Problem Solving | 4.1 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 4.0 |
| Systems Analysis | 3.8 |
| Systems Evaluation | 3.8 |
| Coordination | 3.5 |
| Time Management | 3.4 |
| Instructing | 3.1 |
| Operations Analysis | 3.1 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Tools and software
- Computer aided design CAD software · in demand
- Data base user interface and query software · in demand
- Document management software · in demand
- Electronic mail software · in demand
- Enterprise resource planning ERP software · in demand
- Office suite software · in demand
- Operating system software · in demand
- Presentation software · in demand
- Project management software · in demand
- Spreadsheet software · in demand
- Word processing software · in demand
- Analytical or scientific software
“In demand” marks an O*NET Employer-Based Hot Technology, software named in real job postings for this occupation.
Personality fit
What personality type suits a Drill and Blast Engineer?
NueCareer estimate (Holland code RIE) built on O*NET's Mining and Geological Engineer, Including Mining Safety Engineers profile, scored 1 to 7
| Axis | Drill and Blast Engineer |
|---|---|
| Realistic | 6 |
| Investigative | 6 |
| Artistic | 2 |
| Social | 2 |
| Enterprising | 3 |
| Conventional | 5 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
What the work is built around
Day to day this is work built around hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors, combined with investigating, analysing and solving problems with ideas and data.
- Realistic6.1
- Investigative5.6
- Conventional4.6
- Enterprising3.4
- Social1.8
- Artistic1.6
Closest MBTI types
NueCareer fit scores: cosine similarity between each MBTI type's interest vector and this occupation's O*NET interest profile. Not a BLS or O*NET figure; the method is documented on our methodology page.
Explore further
Careers related to Drill and Blast Engineer
O*NET related occupations
- Architecture and Engineering
Mining and Geological Engineer, Including Mining Safety Engineers
$106,220median a year
Most earn $67K to $170K
+3.8%Bachelor's - Architecture and Engineering
- Architecture and Engineering
- Life, Physical, and Social Science
Geological Technician, Except Hydrologic Technicians
$53,350median a year
Most earn $36K to $100K
+3.6%Associate's - Architecture and Engineering
- Management
More architecture and engineering careers
Median annual pay, with mining and geological engineers, including mining safety engineers highlighted
- Aerospace Engineer$134,960
- Electrical Engineer$120,630
- Environmental Engineer$107,110
- Drill and Blast Engineer$106,220
- Mechanical Engineer$104,110
- Automotive Engineer$104,110
- Industrial Engineer$102,440
- Civil Engineer$100,840
- Architect$99,280
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Aerospace Engineer | $134,960 |
| Electrical Engineer | $120,630 |
| Environmental Engineer | $107,110 |
| Drill and Blast Engineer | $106,220 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $104,110 |
| Automotive Engineer | $104,110 |
| Industrial Engineer | $102,440 |
| Civil Engineer | $100,840 |
| Architect | $99,280 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
Lists Drill and Blast Engineer appears on
Questions
Drill and Blast Engineer: frequently asked questions
How much do Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers make?
BLS does not publish a separate wage for mining and geological engineers, including mining safety engineers. It counts them within mining and geological engineer, including mining safety engineers, whose median pay is $106,220 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). The middle half of that occupation earn between $85,280 and $136,590, and the top 10% earn $169,990 or more.
Do you need a degree to become a Drill and Blast Engineer?
Yes. BLS reports a bachelor's degree as the typical entry-level education for Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers, and O*NET rates the preparation needed as medium preparation. In O*NET's survey of people already doing the job, 79.1% hold bachelor's degree.
Is Drill and Blast Engineer a growing career?
It is stable rather than fast-growing: employment is projected to change 3.8% over 2025–2035, about the same as the 3.5% projected across all occupations (BLS EP, 2025–2035). BLS still projects about 300 openings a year, mostly from workers retiring or moving to other work.
What does a Drill and Blast Engineer do?
Drill and blast engineers decide how to break rock with explosives. A typical task: design drill patterns and explosive loading plans. Employers most often ask for Computer aided design CAD software, Data base user interface and query software, Document management software.
Which states pay Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers the most?
The highest state medians for Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers are California ($158,130), Oklahoma ($131,660), Utah ($125,520) (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Adjusted for local prices using BEA Regional Price Parities, Oklahoma moves to the top at $149,881.
What personality type suits a Drill and Blast Engineer?
O*NET scores Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers highest on the Realistic, Investigative and Conventional interest areas, so the work mixes hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors with investigating, analysing and solving problems with ideas and data. On NueCareer's MBTI-to-interest mapping that lines up most closely with ISTJ personalities. Personality is a fit signal, not a gate. The free NueCareer quiz scores your own profile against all 1,731 careers in the bank.