SOC 47-5032 · May 2025 · United States
Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters
National figures, with pay broken out by state and metro area
The median wage for Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters across the United States is $61,390 per year, measured over 5,100 jobs. The highest state median is in New Jersey, at $100,520.
National wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
The next ten years
Projected to decline
- Change in jobs, 2024 to 2034
- -0.9%
- Openings per year
- 500
- Typical entry-level education
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Related work experience
- Less than 5 years
- On-the-job training
- Long-term on-the-job training
Includes jobs opened by workers leaving the occupation, not only new positions.
Projections are based on 2024 employment and run to 2034. The wages above are from the May 2025 survey, a separate BLS programme on a different release cycle, so the two are not two views of one dataset.
Where the pay is highest for Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters
Pay for this occupation varies by 154.4% between the highest and lowest paying states with published data. New Jersey pays $100,520 and Iowa pays $39,520.
| # | State | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New Jersey | $100,520 | — | |
| 2 | New York | $96,940 | — | |
| 3 | North Carolina | $85,630 | 160 | |
| 4 | Wyoming | $85,070 | 60 | |
| 5 | Pennsylvania | $84,400 | — | |
| 6 | California | $80,370 | 220 | |
| 7 | New Mexico | $78,960 | 80 | |
| 8 | Tennessee | $74,190 | 70 | |
| 9 | Florida | $69,780 | 90 | |
| 10 | Colorado | $69,640 | 140 |
States with the most Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters jobs
| # | State | Jobs | Median | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Texas | 460 | $56,600 | |
| 2 | Kentucky | 380 | $50,360 | |
| 3 | Indiana | 330 | $59,110 | |
| 4 | Oklahoma | 330 | $55,180 | |
| 5 | Nevada | 260 | $60,500 | |
| 6 | California | 220 | $80,370 | |
| 7 | North Carolina | 160 | $85,630 | |
| 8 | Missouri | 150 | $64,040 | |
| 9 | Colorado | 140 | $69,640 | |
| 10 | Louisiana | 130 | $39,900 |
Top-paying metro areas
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York | $100,520 | 120 |
| 2 | Allentown | $97,910 | — |
| 3 | Bakersfield | $92,290 | 60 |
| 4 | Charlotte | $86,900 | 60 |
| 5 | Louisville/Jefferson County | $83,750 | 50 |
| 6 | Denver | $70,200 | 80 |
| 7 | Urban Honolulu | $66,850 | 80 |
| 8 | Salt Lake City | $64,880 | 50 |
| 9 | Washington | $63,920 | — |
| 10 | San Antonio | $62,610 | 50 |
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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