Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters Salary
Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters earn a median $61,390 a year nationally. Construction and Extraction Occupations
What explosives workers, ordnance handling experts, and blasters do
Place and detonate explosives to demolish structures or to loosen, remove, or displace earth, rock, or other materials. May perform specialized handling, storage, and accounting procedures.
- Typical education
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Work experience
- Less than 5 years
- On-the-job training
- Long-term on-the-job training
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- 0.0% (slower than average)
- Openings per year
- 400
Employment of explosives workers, ordnance handling experts, and blasters is projected to grow 0.0% from 2025 to 2035, slower than the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 400 openings are expected each year, on average, including jobs left by workers who retire or switch careers.
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters take-home pay calculator
Starts at the national median. Pick your state to see your real paycheck.
- Federal income tax$5,187
- Social Security (6.2%)$3,806
- Medicare (1.45%)$890
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$51,507
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 0.00% state
Pay by experience
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home (no state tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $40,480 | $19.46 | $34,706 |
| 25th percentile | $49,630 | $23.86 | $42,058 |
| Median (50th) | $61,390 | $29.51 | $51,507 |
| 75th percentile | $80,370 | $38.64 | $65,370 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $99,360 | $47.77 | $78,730 |
Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters salary by state
| State | Median | 1-yr change | Take-home | Range | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Jersey | $100,520 | — | $75,333 | $83,200 – $113,070 | — |
| New York | $96,940 | −7.1% | $72,348 | $72,650 – $123,160 | — |
| North Carolina | $85,630 | +11.4% | $66,163 | $60,950 – $104,280 | 160 |
| Wyoming | $85,070 | −1.9% | $68,677 | $59,790 – $88,000 | 60 |
| Pennsylvania | $84,400 | +34.7% | $65,614 | $58,070 – $102,730 | — |
| California | $80,370 | −7.7% | $61,081 | $34,320 – $125,930 | 220 |
| New Mexico | $78,960 | −6.1% | $61,833 | $37,300 – $87,360 | 80 |
| Tennessee | $74,190 | −27.3% | $61,023 | $37,400 – $122,450 | 70 |
| Florida | $69,780 | −17.4% | $57,920 | $50,120 – $143,260 | 90 |
| Colorado | $69,640 | −0.1% | $55,466 | $54,870 – $91,550 | 140 |
| Utah | $67,910 | — | $54,515 | $47,570 – $99,340 | 50 |
| Hawaii | $64,560 | −16.7% | $50,678 | $58,850 – $96,720 | 110 |
| Missouri | $64,040 | +2.5% | $51,564 | $52,040 – $82,140 | 150 |
| Virginia | $63,920 | +6.8% | $50,678 | $51,900 – $80,260 | 80 |
| Georgia | $61,480 | +31.3% | $49,011 | $45,430 – $99,040 | 70 |
| Illinois | $60,520 | −26.8% | $47,957 | $52,420 – $93,180 | 110 |
| Nevada | $60,500 | +4.0% | $50,792 | $50,740 – $90,520 | 260 |
| Idaho | $60,360 | +3.7% | $48,588 | $56,110 – $124,090 | — |
| Alabama | $59,820 | −8.2% | $47,519 | $51,700 – $87,560 | 100 |
| Maryland | $59,720 | −36.2% | $47,692 | $45,810 – $106,890 | — |
| Indiana | $59,110 | +6.2% | $47,961 | $48,510 – $72,510 | 330 |
| South Dakota | $56,780 | −10.5% | $47,803 | $52,870 – $87,060 | — |
| Texas | $56,600 | +11.1% | $47,658 | $36,620 – $83,690 | 460 |
| Oklahoma | $55,180 | −1.8% | $44,580 | $44,300 – $69,280 | 330 |
| Arkansas | $53,120 | +1.9% | $43,003 | $42,080 – $66,270 | 90 |
| Wisconsin | $52,400 | −7.2% | $42,759 | $43,690 – $82,190 | 60 |
| Kentucky | $50,360 | −7.1% | $40,999 | $24,640 – $75,270 | 380 |
| West Virginia | $49,630 | −13.5% | $40,553 | $46,370 – $65,630 | 50 |
| Mississippi | $47,060 | — | $38,842 | $37,480 – $66,190 | 40 |
| Ohio | $46,630 | −29.8% | $39,147 | $42,700 – $77,320 | 120 |
| Louisiana | $39,900 | −13.1% | $33,429 | $35,030 – $51,680 | 130 |
| Iowa | $39,520 | −5.7% | $33,084 | $37,170 – $55,190 | 90 |
Related jobs
| Job | Median salary | Education | Growth 2025–35 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Continuous Mining Machine Operator | $61,810 | No formal educational credential | +3.2% |
| Earth Drillers, Except Oil and Gas | $60,190 | High school diploma or equivalent | +3.6% |
| Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas | $58,620 | No formal educational credential | +1.6% |
| Service Unit Operators, Oil and Gas | $58,160 | No formal educational credential | +1.1% |
| Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining | $57,430 | High school diploma or equivalent | +1.0% |
| Extraction Workers, All Other | $57,010 | High school diploma or equivalent | +3.4% |
| Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas | $67,890 | No formal educational credential | +0.8% |
| Underground Mining Machine Operators, All Other | $70,130 | No formal educational credential | -1.0% |
| Rock Splitters, Quarry | $48,740 | No formal educational credential | +5.8% |
| Loading and Moving Machine Operators, Underground Mining | $74,500 | No formal educational credential | -15.8% |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a explosives workers, ordnance handling experts, and blasters make?
The national median salary for explosives workers, ordnance handling experts, and blasters is $61,390 a year ($29.51 an hour). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $40,480 and the top 10% earn over $99,360. Source: BLS, May 2025.
Which state pays explosives workers, ordnance handling experts, and blasters the most?
New Jersey has the highest median pay at $100,520.
How many explosives workers, ordnance handling experts, and blasters are there in the U.S.?
About 5,100 people work as explosives workers, ordnance handling experts, and blasters nationwide.