The median pay for Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters is $61,390 a year ($29.51/hr), according to BLS OEWS, May 2025. Employment is projected to grow 0.0% through 2035, with about 400 openings a year (BLS EP, 2025–2035). Typical entry-level education: High school diploma or equivalent.
- SOC 47-5032
- Construction and Extraction
- Last updated October 9, 2026
At a glance
Explosives Worker, Ordnance Handling Expert, and Blaster in four numbers
- Median pay
- $61,390a year, or $29.51/hrBLS OEWS, May 2025Lowest 10% $40KTop 10% $99K
US median, all jobs: $50,980
- Projected growth
- 0.0%Slower than averageBLS EP, 2025–2035This career0%All jobs+3.5%
Projected employment change, 2025–2035 Item Value This career 0% All jobs +3.5% - Openings a year
- 4005,200 jobs todayBLS EP, 2025–2035
- Jobs in 20255.2K
- Projected 20355.2K
Employment, 2025–2035 Item Value Jobs in 2025 5.2K Projected 2035 5.2K - Typical education
- High schoolneeded to enterBLS EP, 2025–2035; mix: O*NET
- Less than high school4.2%
- High school62.5%
- Certificate20.8%
- Some college8.3%
- Associate's4.2%
Highest education held by explosives workers, ordnance handling experts, and blasters Segment Value Less than high school 4.2% High school 62.5% Certificate 20.8% Some college 8.3% Associate's 4.2%
Also advertised as: Blast Hole Driller, Blaster, Explosive Technician, Powderman, Unexploded Ordnance Quality Control Officer.
Pay
How much do Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters make?
Every explosives worker, ordnance handling expert, and blaster in the US, by percentile of annual wage
Median
$61,390
Middle half earn $49,630 to $80,370
- 10th
- $40,480
- 25th
- $49,630
- 75th
- $80,370
- 90th
- $99,360
All US occupations: $50,980
| Percentile | Value |
|---|---|
| 10th | $40,480 |
| 25th | $49,630 |
| Median | $61,390 |
| 75th | $80,370 |
| 90th | $99,360 |
| All US occupations | $50,980 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Median annual wage
- $61,390
- Median hourly wage
- $29.51/hr
- Mean annual wage
- $66,640
- People employed
- 5,100
Versus all US occupations
At $61,390, Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters earn 20% above the $50,980 median across all US occupations, a difference of $10,410 a year.
Versus construction and extraction occupations
The median is typical for the Construction and Extraction group, where the middle occupation pays $60,020.
Pay range
The top 10% earn $99,360 or more while the bottom 10% earn $40,480, a gap of 2.5×. That is a typical spread for a US occupation.
Rank in the bank
This median pays more than 34% of the 1,741 occupations in the NueCareer career bank.
Highest-paying state
New Jersey pays the most at $100,520, and still leads at $92,385 once local prices are taken into account.
Pay by state
Which states pay Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters the most?
State medians come from the same OEWS release as the national figures. The cost-of-living column divides each state median by that state's BEA Regional Price Parity, restating pay in national-average dollars so a high-cost state and a low-cost one can be compared directly.
| State | Median | COL-adjusted | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1New Jersey | $100,520 | $92,385 | N/A |
| 2New York | $96,940 | $89,825 | N/A |
| 3North Carolina | $85,630 | $90,781 | 160 |
| 4Wyoming | $85,070 | $91,778 | 60 |
| 5Pennsylvania | $84,400 | $86,500 | N/A |
| 6California | $80,370 | $72,589 | 220 |
| 7New Mexico | $78,960 | $85,629 | 80 |
| 8Tennessee | $74,190 | $80,755 | 70 |
| 9Florida | $69,780 | $67,476 | 90 |
| 10Colorado | $69,640 | $67,578 | 140 |
Job outlook
Is Explosives Worker, Ordnance Handling Expert, and Blaster a growing career?
Employment change over 2025–2035, against every US occupation
Slower than average. 0.0% projected growth vs 3.5% for all occupations.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters | 0% |
| All US occupations | +3.5% |
Source: BLS EP, 2025–2035
Slower than average
BLS projects employment of Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters to change 0.0% over 2025–2035, against 3.5% projected for all occupations. That is 0 more jobs.
Annual openings
About 400 openings are projected each year, 7.7% of the 5,200 jobs that existed in 2025. Most come from workers leaving the occupation, not from growth alone.
Getting in
How to become an Explosives Worker, Ordnance Handling Expert, and Blaster
- 1
Typical entry-level education
High school diploma or equivalent
- 2
Work experience in a related occupation
Less than 5 years
- 3
Typical on-the-job training
Long-term on-the-job training
- 4
Preparation needed (O*NET job zone)
Little or no preparation
BLS Employment Projections, 2025–2035; job zone from O*NET 31.0 Database.
What education people in the job have
O*NET incumbent survey: the highest level of education reported by people already working as explosives workers, ordnance handling experts, and blasters.
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)62.5%
- Post-Secondary Certificate20.8%
- Some College Courses8.3%
- Less than a High School Diploma4.2%
- Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree4.2%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) | 62.5% |
| Post-Secondary Certificate | 20.8% |
| Some College Courses | 8.3% |
| Less than a High School Diploma | 4.2% |
| Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree | 4.2% |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
The work
What does an Explosives Worker, Ordnance Handling Expert, and Blaster 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.
Day-to-day tasks
- Examine blast areas to determine amounts and kinds of explosive charges needed and to ensure that safety laws are observed.
- Place explosive charges in holes or other spots; then detonate explosives to demolish structures or to loosen, remove, or displace earth, rock, or other materials.
- Connect electrical wire to primers, and cover charges or fill blast holes with clay, drill chips, sand, or other material.
- Move and store inventories of explosives, loaded perforating guns, and other materials, according to established safety procedures.
- Drive trucks to transport explosives and blasting equipment to blasting sites.
- Assemble and position equipment, explosives, and blasting caps in holes at specified depths, or load perforating guns or torpedoes with explosives.
- Maintain inventory levels, ordering new supplies as necessary.
- Place safety cones around blast areas to alert other workers of danger zones, and signal workers as necessary to ensure that they clear blast sites prior to explosions.
O*NET core tasks, ordered by reported importance.
Working conditions and hours
Where the work happens
Indoors, climate-controlled
NeverEvery dayRarely works in a climate-controlled indoor space.
Outdoors in all weather
NeverEvery dayOutdoors in all weather at least weekly.
Physical demands
Sitting
NeverAlmost all the timeStanding
NeverAlmost all the timeOn their feet more than half the working day.
Bending or twisting
NeverAlmost all the time
Working with people
Contact with other people
NoneConstantFace-to-face discussions
NeverEvery dayFace-to-face discussions every day.
Dealing with the public
Not importantExtremely important
Pressure and stakes
Strict deadlines
NeverEvery dayMeeting strict deadlines at least weekly.
Conflict situations
NeverEvery dayCost of a mistake
Not seriousExtremely seriousMistakes carry very serious consequences.
Autonomy
Freedom to decide
NoneA lot
Conditions: O*NET Work Context survey. Each item has its own scale, so each dot is read against the two answers that end its own line.
Core skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Active Listening3.9
- Monitoring3.8
- Critical Thinking3.6
- Speaking3.4
- Reading Comprehension3.1
- Active Learning3.1
- Learning Strategies3.0
- Writing2.9
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Active Listening | 3.9 |
| Monitoring | 3.8 |
| Critical Thinking | 3.6 |
| Speaking | 3.4 |
| Reading Comprehension | 3.1 |
| Active Learning | 3.1 |
| Learning Strategies | 3.0 |
| Writing | 2.9 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Transferable skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Judgment and Decision Making3.6
- Operations Monitoring3.5
- Operation and Control3.5
- Complex Problem Solving3.4
- Time Management3.4
- Coordination3.1
- Instructing3.0
- Management of Personnel Resources3.0
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Judgment and Decision Making | 3.6 |
| Operations Monitoring | 3.5 |
| Operation and Control | 3.5 |
| Complex Problem Solving | 3.4 |
| Time Management | 3.4 |
| Coordination | 3.1 |
| Instructing | 3.0 |
| Management of Personnel Resources | 3.0 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Tools and software
- Computer aided design CAD software · in demand
- Electronic mail software · in demand
- Geographic information system · in demand
- Office suite software · in demand
- Presentation software · in demand
- Spreadsheet software · in demand
- Word processing software · in demand
- Analytical or scientific software
- Mobile location based services software
“In demand” marks an O*NET Employer-Based Hot Technology, software named in real job postings for this occupation.
Personality fit
What personality type suits an Explosives Worker, Ordnance Handling Expert, and Blaster?
O*NET Occupational Interests (RIASEC), scored 1 to 7
| Axis | Explosives Worker, Ordnance Handling Expert, and Blaster |
|---|---|
| Realistic | 7 |
| Investigative | 4 |
| Artistic | 1 |
| Social | 1 |
| Enterprising | 2 |
| Conventional | 4 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
What the work is built around
Day to day this is work built around hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors, combined with organising, following procedures and working precisely with data.
- Realistic6.9
- Conventional4.2
- Investigative3.8
- Enterprising1.8
- Social1.3
- Artistic1.3
Closest MBTI types
NueCareer fit scores: cosine similarity between each MBTI type's interest vector and this occupation's O*NET interest profile. Not a BLS or O*NET figure; the method is documented on our methodology page.
Explore further
Careers related to Explosives Worker, Ordnance Handling Expert, and Blaster
O*NET related occupations
- Construction and Extraction
- Construction and Extraction
- Construction and Extraction
Rotary Drill Operator, Oil and Gas
$67,890median a year
Most earn $47K to $102K
+0.8%No formal credential - Construction and Extraction
Continuous Mining Machine Operator
$61,810median a year
Most earn $47K to $86K
+3.2%No formal credential - Construction and Extraction
Operating Engineer and Other Construction Equipment Operator
$59,850median a year
Most earn $42K to $101K
+4.6%High school - Construction and Extraction
More construction and extraction careers
Median annual pay, with explosives workers, ordnance handling experts, and blasters highlighted
- Plumber$63,800
- Electrician$63,190
- Structural Iron and Steel Worker$62,780
- Sheet Metal Worker$61,800
- Explosives Worker, Ordnance Handling Expert, and Blaster$61,390
- Carpenter$60,580
- Operating Engineer and Other Construction Equipment Operator$59,850
- Roofer$55,440
- Oil and Gas Roustabout$46,960
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Plumber | $63,800 |
| Electrician | $63,190 |
| Structural Iron and Steel Worker | $62,780 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $61,800 |
| Explosives Worker, Ordnance Handling Expert, and Blaster | $61,390 |
| Carpenter | $60,580 |
| Operating Engineer and Other Construction Equipment Operator | $59,850 |
| Roofer | $55,440 |
| Oil and Gas Roustabout | $46,960 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
Specialty careers within explosives worker, ordnance handling expert, and blaster
Distinct careers BLS counts inside this occupation, each with its own profile.
Lists Explosives Worker, Ordnance Handling Expert, and Blaster appears on
Questions
Explosives Worker, Ordnance Handling Expert, and Blaster: frequently asked questions
How much do Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters make?
Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters earn a median of $61,390 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025), 20% above the $50,980 US median across all occupations. That works out at $29.51/hr. The middle half earn between $49,630 and $80,370. The top 10% earn $99,360 or more.
Do you need a degree to become an Explosives Worker, Ordnance Handling Expert, and Blaster?
No. A bachelor's degree is not the norm: BLS reports a high school diploma or equivalent as the typical entry-level education for Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters. BLS also lists long-term on-the-job training as typical on-the-job training. Employers typically expect less than 5 years of related work experience first. In O*NET's survey of people already doing the job, 62.5% hold high school diploma or the equivalent (such as a ged).
Is Explosives Worker, Ordnance Handling Expert, and Blaster a growing career?
It is growing, but slowly: 0.0% over 2025–2035 against 3.5% for all occupations (BLS EP, 2025–2035). BLS still projects about 400 openings a year, mostly from workers retiring or moving to other work.
What does an Explosives Worker, Ordnance Handling Expert, and Blaster do?
Place and detonate explosives to demolish structures or to loosen, remove, or displace earth, rock, or other materials. A core O*NET task: examine blast areas to determine amounts and kinds of explosive charges needed and to ensure that safety laws are observed. Employers most often ask for Computer aided design CAD software, Electronic mail software, Geographic information system.
Which states pay Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters the most?
The highest state medians for Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters are New Jersey ($100,520), New York ($96,940), North Carolina ($85,630) (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
What personality type suits an Explosives Worker, Ordnance Handling Expert, and Blaster?
O*NET scores Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters highest on the Realistic, Conventional and Investigative interest areas, so the work mixes hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors with organising, following procedures and working precisely with data. On NueCareer's MBTI-to-interest mapping that lines up most closely with ISTJ personalities. Personality is a fit signal, not a gate. The free NueCareer quiz scores your own profile against all 1,731 careers in the bank.