Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blaster Salary in 2026
How Much Do Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters Make?
Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters earn a median annual salary of $59,110 as of 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data. Wages span from $45,160 at the 10th percentile to $104,210 at the 90th percentile — a range of $59,050. The highest-paying state is New York at $104,320.
| Percentile | Annual salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $45,160 |
| 25th percentile | $49,860 |
| Median (50th) | $59,110 |
| 75th percentile | $80,050 |
| 90th percentile | $104,210 |
Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blaster Salary by State
Median annual salary across all 50 states. Click a column to sort.
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| New Yorktop | $104,320 |
| Tennessee | $102,060 |
| Connecticut | $101,020 |
| Maryland | $93,550 |
| California | $87,110 |
| Wyoming | $86,740 |
| Florida | $84,520 |
| New Mexico | $84,050 |
| Illinois | $82,710 |
| Hawaii | $77,460 |
| Washington | $77,210 |
| North Carolina | $76,900 |
| Colorado | $69,740 |
| Montana | $69,330 |
| Ohio | $66,440 |
| Alabama | $65,190 |
| South Dakota | $63,470 |
| Arizona | $63,010 |
| Pennsylvania | $62,670 |
| Missouri | $62,500 |
| Virginia | $59,840 |
| Idaho | $58,180 |
| Nevada | $58,160 |
| West Virginia | $57,350 |
| Wisconsin | $56,440 |
| Oklahoma | $56,180 |
| Indiana | $55,660 |
| Kentucky | $54,200 |
| Arkansas | $52,120 |
| Texas | $50,930 |
| Georgia | $46,830 |
| Louisiana | $45,900 |
| Iowa | $41,930 |
| Michigan | $41,450 |
Highest-Paying Metros for Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters
Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blaster Salary by Experience
Estimated salary ranges derived from BLS wage percentiles. Entry level corresponds to P10–P25, mid-career to the median, experienced to P75, and senior to P90+.
| Experience level | Estimated salary |
|---|---|
| Entry level (0–2 yrs) | ~$45,160 – $49,860 |
| Mid career (3–7 yrs) | ~$59,110 |
| Experienced (8–15 yrs) | ~$80,050 |
| Senior (15+ yrs) | $104,210+ |
How to Earn More as an Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blaster
Location is the single biggest salary lever: Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV earn $104,210 — $45,100 above the national median. Union membership, additional certifications, and supervisory experience are the most reliable paths to higher earnings in this field. Reaching the 75th percentile ($80,050) typically requires 5–10 years of experience plus specialization in a high-demand area.
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Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blaster Salary vs Similar Careers
| Career | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasterthis career | $59,110 |
| Construction Laborer | $46,730 |
| Pile Driver Operator | $70,510 |
| Construction Equipment Operator | $58,710 |
| Hazardous Materials Removal Worker | $48,490 |
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SOC: 47-5032.00 · Data: BLS OEWS 2026, O*NET 29.1 · Salary figures are national medians unless otherwise noted.