Employment Readiness
How to Become a Demolition Worker?
Demolition workers are skilled tradespeople who tear down old structures so new projects can rise in their place. From breaking down walls and removing debris to handling heavy equipment and ensuring job-site safety, demolition workers are involved in every process stage. This job offers steady work, competitive pay, and the chance to learn valuable construction skills—no college degree required. To get started, most workers train on the job or through apprenticeship programs, earning specialized certifications for handling hazardous materials when needed. Partnering with a local staffing agency can also help you find demolition jobs in your area faster, giving you access to temporary and full-time positions with construction companies hiring right now.
Do you have what it takes to become a demolition worker? Here’s everything you need to know.
What is a Demolition Worker?
Demolition workers are skilled tradespeople who destroy and remove building structures. From drawing up safety plans to removing debris, they are involved in every step of the demolition process. This means that to succeed in this career, you must be trained in reading structural plans and using equipment to haul away beams, stone, and other building materials.
What does a Demolition Worker Do?
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 must be cleared 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.
Like their work, demolition workers' tools vary depending on the project. Demolition Workers may use tools like:
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Sledgehammers
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Hammer Drills
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Crane Magnets
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Explosives
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Cutting equipment
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Burners
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Concrete Crushers
The Work Life of a Demolition Worker
Most demolition work occurs outside, requiring full-time hours and some overtime. Safety is paramount when handling heavy equipment, explosives, and falling debris while working. As for how often you're called in to work, it depends on where in the country you're employed because the work tends to be seasonal.
Why Use a Staffing Agency to Become a Demolition Worker?
Working with a staffing agency with contacts in the construction industry can get your foot in the demolition career door. They work with construction clients in your city who are already looking for demolition workers, shortening your time to get a job. If you’ve just gotten your certifications, you can gain experience with a steady stream of temporary assignments. If you need a flexible work schedule or are ready to leap into a permanent full-time position as a demolition worker, a staffing agency can help you get there.
Demolition Worker Job 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 handling a sledgehammer to setting up explosives to demo a building.
If the job involves hazardous materials like lead and asbestos, you must be certified through a program approved by OSHA. Depending on your state, you’ll also have to meet certain licensing and/or registration guidelines.
Demolition work is physically demanding, so strength and stamina are key skills. You will be on your feet handling heavy tools, carrying materials, and operating heavy equipment. You’ll also need excellent hand-eye coordination and good vision to do the job. As for soft skills, you’ll need excellent problem-solving skills to anticipate problems before tearing things down. Strong attention to detail, practical communication skills, and working under pressure are other essential soft skills you need in this line of work.
