Shot Firer
SOC 47-5032.00 · ESCO 7542 · OSCA 732332
Role snapshot
Overview
A Shot Firer is a highly specialized and licensed professional responsible for the safe and controlled preparation and detonation of explosives. This role is critical in mining, quarrying, and demolition operations, involving meticulous planning, calculation of charge placements, and stringent adherence to safety protocols to break rock or demolish structures efficiently and safely.
Ensures the efficient and safe extraction of resources, preparation of construction sites, and removal of hazardous structures, minimizing risks to personnel and the environment while optimizing project timelines.
On the job
- Conduct pre-blast site surveys, geological assessments, and risk analyses to determine optimal blast designs.
- Calculate and prepare precise explosive charges, including selecting appropriate types and quantities of explosives and detonators.
- Implement and monitor blast patterns, ensuring proper drilling, loading, and wiring of charges.
- Establish and enforce strict safety protocols, including securing blast zones, evacuating personnel, and managing environmental impacts.
- Operate and maintain specialized blasting equipment, ensuring all tools and materials are in safe working order.
Tools & technology
Average salary
Job outlook
StableDemand is steady. This is an established role with consistent hiring across sectors.
Education & training
Specialized vocational training or certification in explosives handling, blasting, or mining operations, typically requiring a high school diploma or equivalent.
AI impact outlook
Note — this is our current view. AI is moving fast, so we revisit these ratings.
Show how this was assessed Hide the detail
Note — this is our current view. AI is moving fast, so we revisit these ratings.
Show how this was assessed Hide the detailWhy this role received this rating
Core task exposure
low
How much of the role’s important work could AI perform?
While AI could assist with blast design optimization and risk analysis, the precise handling of explosives and on-site judgment are largely unexposed.
End-to-end automation
low
Can AI complete the work without substantial human involvement?
The extreme safety implications, physical handling of explosives, and strict regulatory environment make full end-to-end automation impossible without human control.
Adoption pressure
low
How likely are employers to introduce AI into this work?
The inherent risks and stringent regulations surrounding explosives handling make employers highly cautious about introducing AI for direct control, limiting adoption pressure.
Human dependence
strong
How much does success depend on human judgement, relationships and accountability?
Success hinges entirely on the shot firer's meticulous judgment, precision, and unwavering accountability for safety, making this role almost entirely human-dependent.
Protective — a higher rating lowers the overall score.
Role adaptability
moderate
How easily can the role evolve as AI takes on more tasks?
The role can adapt by integrating advanced geological modeling and digital blast planning tools, but the core expertise in explosives handling remains stable.
Shown for context — not part of the score.
What AI may take on
These are the parts of the role most likely to be automated or significantly accelerated.
- Assist with geological assessments and site surveys
- Optimize blast designs based on data analysis
- Predict and model environmental impacts of blasts
- Automate reporting of blast-related data
Where people remain essential
These parts continue to depend heavily on human judgement, relationships and accountability.
- Physically prepare and handle explosive charges and detonators
- Conduct final on-site risk analyses and safety checks before detonation
- Implement and monitor blast patterns, including wiring and loading
- Establish and enforce strict safety protocols and secure blast zones
- Manage personnel evacuation and critical incident response
- Operate and maintain specialized blasting equipment
How the role may evolve
Enhanced planning, unwavering human accountability for detonation.
The role will evolve to incorporate AI-assisted blast design and risk modeling, allowing for more precise and safer operations, while retaining full human responsibility for the physical execution and safety protocols.
Strengthen your future fit
- Proficiency in advanced blast design software and data analysis
- Expertise in risk assessment and mitigation for AI-assisted operations
- Continued mastery of explosives handling and safety regulations
- Leadership in emergency response and site management
- Ability to integrate and oversee new monitoring technologies
- Assessment horizon
- 3–7 years
- Confidence
- High
- Last reviewed
- August 2026
- Methodology
- v1.0
This assessment reflects current AI capabilities and expected adoption patterns. Actual impacts will vary by industry, employer and the way each role is performed.
Career pathways
WHERE YOU COULD GO
CURRENT ROLE
Shot Firer
Mining & Resources
STARTING POINTS
Who thrives here
Interest profile
realistic · RCI
People who enjoy hands-on, practical tasks, systematic problem-solving, and adhering to precise procedures and safety regulations often thrive in this role. It combines physical work with technical analysis and a strong emphasis on order.
Personality characteristics
Conscientious
Exhibits extreme attention to detail and precision, consistently following strict safety protocols and technical specifications.
Calm under pressure
Maintains composure and clear thinking in high-stakes and potentially dangerous situations, ensuring safe execution.
Practical
Prefers hands-on work and direct application of technical knowledge to solve tangible problems in the field.
Analytical
Systematically evaluates site conditions, calculates precise measurements, and diagnoses potential issues before execution.
Reliable
Consistently adheres to schedules, safety regulations, and team commitments, crucial for coordinated operations.
Best for
- Individuals who are meticulous, disciplined, and have a strong commitment to safety.
- Those who enjoy practical, hands-on work combined with technical calculation and problem-solving.
- Professionals seeking a highly specialized role with clear responsibilities and significant impact on large-scale projects.
Watch out for
- The role involves inherent risks and demands unwavering focus on safety, which can be stressful for some.
- Work is predominantly outdoors in varying conditions, and may require travel or work in remote locations.
- Strict regulatory compliance and procedural adherence limit creative freedom and spontaneity.
A week in the life
A representative working week for a Shot Firer — where the deep work, meetings, and admin actually land.
Real people. Real results.
Thousands of people
can't be wrong.
Frequently asked questions about Shot Firer roles
What does a Shot Firer do?
A Shot Firer a Shot Firer is a highly specialized and licensed professional responsible for the safe and controlled preparation and detonation of explosives. This role is critical in mining, quarrying, and demolition operations, involving meticulous planning, calculation of charge placements, and stringent adherence to safety protocols to break rock or demolish structures efficiently and safely. Ensures the efficient and safe extraction of resources, preparation of construction sites, and removal of hazardous structures, minimizing risks to personnel and the environment while optimizing project timelines.
How much does a Shot Firer earn?
A Shot Firer earns a median of $85,000 per year in the US, typically ranging from $60,000 to $110,000.
What qualifications do you need to become a Shot Firer?
To become a Shot Firer, specialized vocational training or certification in explosives handling, blasting, or mining operations, typically requiring a high school diploma or equivalent. Valid Shot Firer's License / Blasting License.
What personality suits a Shot Firer?
Shot Firer roles tend to suit people who are highly conscientious — precise, organised and strong on follow-through (Conscientiousness 90/100) and steady under pressure — deadlines and setbacks do not rattle them easily (Emotional Stability 78/100). The traits that matter most in the role are Conscientious, Calm under pressure, Practical and Analytical. Exhibits extreme attention to detail and precision, consistently following strict safety protocols and technical specifications. On interests, Shot Firer maps to a RCI Holland Code profile — people who enjoy hands-on, practical tasks, systematic problem-solving, and adhering to precise procedures and safety regulations often thrive in this role. It combines physical work with technical analysis and a strong emphasis on order.
Who does a Shot Firer role suit?
A Shot Firer role is usually a strong fit for these reasons. High Realistic (R) and Conventional (C) alignment: the role demands practical skills, methodical execution, and strict adherence to rules. Requires a high degree of conscientiousness and low neuroticism, essential for safety and precision in explosive operations. Involves significant team interaction and coordination, appealing to those who thrive in structured, collaborative environments.
What are the downsides of being a Shot Firer?
Shot Firer roles come with trade-offs worth weighing up. The role involves inherent risks and demands unwavering focus on safety, which can be stressful for some. Work is predominantly outdoors in varying conditions, and may require travel or work in remote locations. Strict regulatory compliance and procedural adherence limit creative freedom and spontaneity.
What is the work environment like for a Shot Firer?
Work as a Shot Firer is mostly mixed-based with onsite arrangements common, highly structured, with set processes and deadlines, a moderate pace and medium exposure to clients or stakeholders. Around 47% of the week is focused deep work.
What skills do you need to be a Shot Firer?
Core skills for a Shot Firer include Explosives handling and storage, Blast design and planning, Safety protocol adherence, Risk assessment and mitigation, Regulatory compliance (mining/demolition) and Geological and structural analysis.
How do you become a Shot Firer?
Common entry routes into Shot Firer roles include Mining Equipment Operator, Driller, Heavy Equipment Mechanic and Construction Laborer.
What career progression is there for a Shot Firer?
From a Shot Firer role, common next steps include Blasting Supervisor, Explosives Engineer, Mine Foreman and Demolition Project Manager.
What is the job outlook for Shot Firer roles?
The outlook for Shot Firer roles is currently rated stable. Demand is steady. This is an established role with consistent hiring across sectors.
Will AI replace Shot Firer roles?
Traitstack rates automation risk for Shot Firer roles at 21 out of 100, which is low. While AI could enhance blast design and risk analysis, the precise handling of explosives, securing blast zones, and ultimate safety accountability stay with the human expert. AI is most likely to take on assist with geological assessments and site surveys, optimize blast designs based on data analysis and predict and model environmental impacts of blasts. Physically prepare and handle explosive charges and detonators, conduct final on-site risk analyses and safety checks before detonation and implement and monitor blast patterns, including wiring and loading stay with people. Enhanced planning, unwavering human accountability for detonation. That score measures how much of the work could change, not the likelihood the job disappears. It is Traitstack's current view, revisited as AI capability moves.