SOC 475032

Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters

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.

National Median

$59,110

per year

National Salary Overview

Median Annual

$59,110

Entry Level (10th pct)

$45,160

Experienced (90th pct)

$104,210

Total Employed

5,680

Salary Distribution

Salary percentiles show the range from entry-level (10th) to top earners (90th)

Salary by Experience Level

Experience Level	Estimated Salary Range
Entry Level0-2 years experience	$45,160 - $49,860
Mid Career2-8 years experience	$49,860 - $80,050
Senior / Expert8+ years experience	$80,050 - $104,210

Highest Paying Locations for Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters

New York

$104,320

+76.5% vs national

Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV

$104,210

+76.3% vs national

Tennessee

$102,060

+72.7% vs national

Connecticut

$101,020

+70.9% vs national

Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA

$94,240

+59.4% vs national

Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters Salary by Location

Compare salaries across 50 metropolitan areas

Metropolitan Area	Median Salary	Employed
New York	$104,320	60
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV	$104,210	600
Tennessee	$102,060	120
Connecticut	$101,020	N/A
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA	$94,240	60
Maryland	$93,550	770
California	$87,110	180
Wyoming	$86,740	30
Balance of Nevada nonmetropolitan area	$86,570	90
Florida	$84,520	90
New Mexico	$84,050	80
Illinois	$82,710	130
Hawaii	$77,460	70
Urban Honolulu, HI	$77,460	70
Washington	$77,210	N/A
North Carolina	$76,900	80
Colorado	$69,740	90
Montana	$69,330	60
Ohio	$66,440	80
Alabama	$65,190	80
Joplin, MO-KS	$64,650	30
St. Louis, MO-IL	$64,110	60
Kansas City, MO-KS	$63,970	50
South Dakota	$63,470	N/A
Arizona	$63,010	30
Pennsylvania	$62,670	90
Missouri	$62,500	240
Southeast Missouri nonmetropolitan area	$62,500	40
Anniston-Oxford, AL	$62,050	40
San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX	$61,730	50
Virginia	$59,840	150
Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC	$59,840	N/A
Boise City, ID	$58,660	N/A
Idaho	$58,180	N/A
Las Vegas-Henderson-North Las Vegas, NV	$58,160	N/A
Nevada	$58,160	340
West Virginia	$57,350	110
Wisconsin	$56,440	70
Southeast Oklahoma nonmetropolitan area	$56,180	330
Oklahoma	$56,180	340
Indiana	$55,660	420
Kentucky	$54,200	200
Central Kentucky nonmetropolitan area	$54,200	160
Southern Indiana nonmetropolitan area	$53,290	220
South Arkansas nonmetropolitan area	$52,120	90
Arkansas	$52,120	110
Texas	$50,930	N/A
Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX	$50,910	N/A
Georgia	$46,830	180
Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA	$46,830	100

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average salary for a Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters?

The national median annual salary for Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters is $59,110, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data. This means half of workers in this occupation earn more, and half earn less.

Where do Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasterss earn the most?

The highest-paying metro area for Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasterss is New York, with a median salary of $104,320.

How much can an experienced Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters make?

Top-earning Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasterss (90th percentile) make $104,210 or more annually. This typically reflects workers with significant experience, specialized skills, or positions in high-paying regions.