While many workers in the construction industry are hired to put various things together, demolition workers are paid to tear things down.  That means breaking through walls, removing doors, dismantling roofs, cutting up framework, busting through ceilings, taking down entire buildings, and getting rid of anything else that needs to be cleared out before a new project begins. Demolition workers are responsible for making sure the demo area is safe before their project begins, such as laying out dust sheets or removing hazardous materials from the site.  These workers sort through the broken materials to see what’s salvageable after their work is done.

There is more than meets the eye when it comes to being a Demolition Worker. For example, did you know that they make an average of $16.23 an hour? That’s $33,768 a year! Between 2018 and 2028, the career is expected to grow 11% and produce 173,400 job opportunities across the U.S.

There are certain skills that many Demolition Workers have in order to accomplish their responsibilities. By taking a look through resumes, we were able to narrow down the most common skills for a person in this position. We discovered that a lot of resumes listed Color vision, Math skills and Mechanical skills.

Education and Training Requirements

Like many careers in the blue-collar world, you don’t need a 4-year degree to get started. You could enroll in an apprenticeship program but many demolition experts get their start training on the job. Working under experienced workers in the field, they learn everything from how to handle a sledgehammer to how to set up explosives to demo a building.

If the job involves hazardous materials like lead and asbestos, you’ll need to be certified per federal law.  This certification training has to be OSHA approved. Depending on which state you live in, you’ll also have to meet certain licensing and/or registration guidelines.

Many demolition workers are trained on the job. There are no set requirements for hand laborers, although you have to join a union to work for a union contractor. You may become an operating engineer through a union training program or learn on the job through a nonunion contractor.

If you are interested in becoming a blaster, you should take science and math courses in high school. Electronics and electricity courses are also important, because many explosives are set off with electronic devices. Blasters begin as helpers, carrying explosives to blast sites, drilling and filling charge holes, and connecting wires and fuses. Experienced blasters teach trainees what type and quantity of explosives to use and safety practices and laws. Blasters must be licensed by the state. A state licensing agency may require a written test and letters of recommendation from a licensed blaster.

Choosing the right major is always an important step when researching how to become a Demolition Worker. When we researched the most common majors for a Demolition Worker, we found that they most commonly earn High School Diploma degrees or Diploma degrees. Other degrees that we often see on Demolition Worker resumes include Associate Degree degrees or Bachelor’s Degree degrees.

You may find that experience in other jobs will help you become a Demolition Worker. In fact, many Demolition Worker jobs require experience in a role such as Warehouse Worker. Meanwhile, many Demolition Workers also have previous career experience in roles such as Cashier or Sales Associate.

In summary, to become a demolition worker, you need experience with general physical labor. You must know how to use a variety of hand tools, including sledgehammers, pickaxes, and shovels, and be able to perform physically-demanding work outside in all weather conditions. Additional qualifications include excellent active listening and problem-solving skills. You also need a license to operate specific machinery. Those interested in taking on a specialized career in demolition, such as an explosives blaster, need additional training and professional certification. This job can be dangerous, so you must demonstrate the ability to follow all safety rules and procedures closely.

What to Expect on the Job

The majority of demolition work takes place outside, requiring full-time hours and maybe some overtime. Between handling heavy equipment, explosives, and falling debris, safety is always top of mind while working. As for how often you’re called in to work depends on where in the country you’re employed because the work tends to be seasonal.

Now that you know what it takes to become a demolition pro, get your hands to it!

We are ECG, we are safety first.

This field definitely needs some expert hands and skill. So, have you decided on what type of project you need? Make sure you research on this for a while before coming up with a decision.

We pride ourselves in providing Demolition, Abatement and Environmental Services you can depend on. (Concrete cutting, coring, green demolition, disinfection and sterilization cleaning services, asbestos abatement and more)

Contact us to get started on your next project, Call us: 562-438-7999.