Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters Salary in the United States
As of May 2025, the median annual wage for explosives workers, ordnance handling experts, and blasters in the United States was $61,390 ($29.51 per hour), according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OES survey.
Annual Salary Percentiles
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $40,480 | $19.46 |
| 25th | $49,630 | $23.86 |
| Median | $61,390 | $29.51 |
| 75th | $80,370 | $38.64 |
| 90th | $99,360 | $47.77 |
Quick Facts
- Occupational code: 47-5032
- Total U.S. employment: 5,100
- Jobs per 1,000: —
- Hourly salary breakdown
- All-state comparison
How to interpret these figures
Across the United States, 5,100 explosives workers, ordnance handling experts, and blasters are employed (— per 1,000 jobs), making this a mid-sized occupations in the national economy.
Pay spans a wide range: workers at the 10th percentile earn about $40,480, while those at the 90th percentile earn about $99,360 — a 2.5x gap between entry-level and top earners.
Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters Salary by State
The table below ranks every state by median annual wage. Click a state for detailed local data.
| State | Median Annual | Median Hourly | vs National | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $59,820 | $28.76 | -2.6% | 100 |
| Arkansas | $53,120 | $25.54 | -13.5% | 90 |
| California | $80,370 | $38.64 | +30.9% | 220 |
| Colorado | $69,640 | $33.48 | +13.4% | 140 |
| Florida | $69,780 | $33.55 | +13.7% | 90 |
| Georgia | $61,480 | $29.56 | +0.1% | 70 |
| Hawaii | $64,560 | $31.04 | +5.2% | 110 |
| Idaho | $60,360 | $29.02 | -1.7% | 0 |
| Illinois | $60,520 | $29.10 | -1.4% | 110 |
| Indiana | $59,110 | $28.42 | -3.7% | 330 |
| Iowa | $39,520 | $19.00 | -35.6% | 90 |
| Kentucky | $50,360 | $24.21 | -18.0% | 380 |
| Louisiana | $39,900 | $19.18 | -35.0% | 130 |
| Maryland | $59,720 | $28.71 | -2.7% | 0 |
| Mississippi | $47,060 | $22.63 | -23.3% | 40 |
| Missouri | $64,040 | $30.79 | +4.3% | 150 |
| Nevada | $60,500 | $29.09 | -1.4% | 260 |
| New Jersey | $100,520 | $48.33 | +63.7% | 0 |
| New Mexico | $78,960 | $37.96 | +28.6% | 80 |
| New York | $96,940 | $46.61 | +57.9% | 0 |
| North Carolina | $85,630 | $41.17 | +39.5% | 160 |
| Ohio | $46,630 | $22.42 | -24.0% | 120 |
| Oklahoma | $55,180 | $26.53 | -10.1% | 330 |
| Pennsylvania | $84,400 | $40.58 | +37.5% | 0 |
| South Dakota | $56,780 | $27.30 | -7.5% | 0 |
| Tennessee | $74,190 | $35.67 | +20.9% | 70 |
| Texas | $56,600 | $27.21 | -7.8% | 460 |
| Utah | $67,910 | $32.65 | +10.6% | 50 |
| Virginia | $63,920 | $30.73 | +4.1% | 80 |
| West Virginia | $49,630 | $23.86 | -19.2% | 50 |
| Wisconsin | $52,400 | $25.19 | -14.6% | 60 |
| Wyoming | $85,070 | $40.90 | +38.6% | 60 |
Data source: BLS OES state file · U.S. BLS OES survey, May 2025
Related Occupations
- Electricians — $63,190/yr
- Bartenders — $34,340/yr
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- Computer User Support Specialists — $61,860/yr
- Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics — $50,620/yr
- First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers — $74,450/yr
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average salary for explosives workers, ordnance handling experts, and blasters?
The median annual wage for explosives workers, ordnance handling experts, and blasters is $61,390 ($29.51 per hour), according to the BLS OES survey for May 2025.
Which state pays explosives workers, ordnance handling experts, and blasters the most?
Wages vary by state. Use the state table above to compare median annual pay across all 50 states and Washington, D.C.
How many explosives workers, ordnance handling experts, and blasters are employed in the U.S.?
There are approximately 5,100 explosives workers, ordnance handling experts, and blasters employed nationally, per BLS OES.
How much do explosives workers, ordnance handling experts, and blasters make per hour?
The median hourly wage is $29.51. See the hourly salary page for the full percentile breakdown.