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Demolition Worker
ConstructionYou tear things down for a living, which sounds like therapy until you realize you're doing it in clouds of dust, near unstable structures, and around materials that might be asbestos. You'll swing sledgehammers, operate jackhammers, and systematically dismantle buildings in a sequence that ensures nothing falls on you. Controlled destruction is an art — uncontrolled destruction is a lawsuit.
Salary Range
Low
$30k
Median
$45k
High
$68k
10-Year Growth
average
US Workers
160K
Education
OSHA training + on-the-job experience (hazmat certification for asbestos/lead work)
Environment
outdoor
Tools & Technical Skills
- ▸Controlled demolition techniques (mechanical, implosion)
- ▸Concrete sawing and breaking equipment
- ▸Hazardous material identification (asbestos, lead)
- ▸Heavy equipment operation (excavators with attachments)
- ▸OSHA demolition safety standards (29 CFR 1926)
- ▸Debris removal and recycling sorting
People & Mindset Skills
- ▸Safety awareness
- ▸Physical endurance
- ▸Teamwork
- ▸Attention to structural hazards
- ▸Reliability
What you'll actually do
- 01Demolish structures using sledgehammers, jackhammers, and equipment that makes satisfying noises
- 02Follow demolition sequences because taking out the wrong wall first brings everything down on you
- 03Identify and handle hazardous materials like asbestos and lead paint that require special protocols
- 04Operate skid steers, excavators, and bobcats in tight spaces surrounded by debris
- 05Sort and separate demolition debris for recycling, disposal, and hazardous waste handling
- 06Wear PPE that makes you look like an astronaut because the dust alone can ruin your lungs
Related Shifts
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