Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters

SOC code 47-5032 · O*NET-SOC 47-5032.00 · Little to some preparation needed · Skilled trades

Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters pay

U.S. national figures, May 2025 BLS survey · How we got this number

Median pay

$61,390

a year

Hourly

$29.51

per hour

10th$40,480Median$61,39090th$99,360

The solid band is the middle 50% of workers; the bar spans the 10th to 90th percentile.

Average pay

$66,640

$32.04 per hour

Middle 50%

$49,630 – $80,370

25th to 75th percentile

Full spread

$40,480 – $99,360

10th to 90th percentile

People employed

5,100

nationwide

National U.S. figure, May 2025. Local pay can be higher or lower.

10th percentile: $40,480; $19.46/hr
25th percentile: $49,630; $23.86/hr
Median percentile: $61,390; $29.51/hr
75th percentile: $80,370; $38.64/hr
90th percentile: $99,360; $47.77/hr

What do explosives workers, ordnance handling experts, and blasters 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.

The tasks that matter most day to day

Examine blast areas to determine amounts and kinds of explosive charges needed and to ensure that safety laws are observed.
Tie specified lengths of delaying fuses into patterns in order to time sequences of explosions.
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.
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.
Insert, pack, and pour explosives, such as dynamite, ammonium nitrate, black powder, or slurries into blast holes; then shovel drill cuttings, admit water into boreholes, and tamp material to compact charges.
Mark patterns, locations, and depths of charge holes for drilling, and issue drilling instructions.
Compile and keep gun and explosives records in compliance with local and federal laws.
Measure depths of drilled blast holes, using weighted tape measures.

How to qualify for this work

Most people in this role hold high school diploma or the equivalent (such as a ged) — 63% of workers surveyed reported it as their level of education.

Preparation level: zone 2 — Little to some preparation needed

Education: Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
Experience: Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
Training: Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training.

See all zone 2 occupations →

Education reported by people doing this job

High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)63%
Post-Secondary Certificate21%
Some College Courses8%
Less than a High School Diploma4%

Common questions

How much does an explosives workers, ordnance handling experts, and blasters earn?

The national median is $61,390 a year. The full range runs from $40,480 at the 10th percentile to $99,360 at the 90th — entry pay sits closer to the lower figure, and experience, licensing and specialisation move you up the range.

Can you become an explosives workers, ordnance handling experts, and blasters without a degree?

Yes — this occupation sits in preparation zone 2, meaning the typical entry route is usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not. A four-year degree is not the standard requirement, though licensing or certification may still apply.

Skills and knowledge you need

Core skills

Active Listening3.9/5
Monitoring3.8/5
Critical Thinking3.6/5
Speaking3.4/5
Reading Comprehension3.1/5

Knowledge areas

Public Safety and Security4.1/5
Law and Government4.0/5
Mathematics3.7/5
Engineering and Technology3.3/5
Administration and Management3.2/5
Customer and Personal Service3.2/5
Transportation3.2/5
English Language3.1/5

Transferable strengths: Judgment and Decision Making, Operations Monitoring, Operation and Control, Complex Problem Solving, Time Management.