How much does a explosives worker make?
The median explosives worker in the United States earns $61,390 per year, about $29.51 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all explosives workers earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 47-5032.
Explosives worker salary range
Pay for explosives workers spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $40,480 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $99,360. The average (mean) wage of $66,640 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $40,480 | $19.46 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $49,630 | $23.86 | |
| Median (50th) | $61,390 | $29.51 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $80,370 | $38.64 | |
| 90th percentile | $99,360 | $47.77 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for explosives workers, ordnance handling experts, and blasters (SOC 47-5032), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Explosives worker salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Explosives workers earn the most in New Jersey at $100,520 a year, and the least in Iowa at $39,520. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey | $100,520 | N/A |
| New York | $96,940 | N/A |
| North Carolina | $85,630 | 160 |
| Wyoming | $85,070 | 60 |
| Pennsylvania | $84,400 | N/A |
| California | $80,370 | 220 |
| New Mexico | $78,960 | 80 |
| Tennessee | $74,190 | 70 |
| Florida | $69,780 | 90 |
| Colorado | $69,640 | 140 |
| Utah | $67,910 | 50 |
| Hawaii | $64,560 | 110 |
| Missouri | $64,040 | 150 |
| Virginia | $63,920 | 80 |
| Georgia | $61,480 | 70 |
| Illinois | $60,520 | 110 |
| Nevada | $60,500 | 260 |
| Idaho | $60,360 | N/A |
| Alabama | $59,820 | 100 |
| Maryland | $59,720 | N/A |
| Indiana | $59,110 | 330 |
| South Dakota | $56,780 | N/A |
| Texas | $56,600 | 460 |
| Oklahoma | $55,180 | 330 |
| Arkansas | $53,120 | 90 |
| Wisconsin | $52,400 | 60 |
| Kentucky | $50,360 | 380 |
| West Virginia | $49,630 | 50 |
| Mississippi | $47,060 | 40 |
| Ohio | $46,630 | 120 |
| Louisiana | $39,900 | 130 |
| Iowa | $39,520 | 90 |
State median wages for explosives workers, ordnance handling experts, and blasters (SOC 47-5032), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for explosives workers
The BLS projects employment of explosives workers to hold roughly steady from 2025 to 2035. That is little or no change, compared with 3.5% average growth for all occupations. That works out to roughly 5,200 jobs in 2025 moving toward 5,200 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 400 openings a year for explosives workers. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become an explosives worker
The typical entry-level education for explosives workers is a high school diploma or equivalent, according to the BLS. Most roles also expect less than 5 years of work experience in a related occupation. New hires typically complete long-term on-the-job training to reach full competency.
A four-year college degree is usually not required to start, which makes this one of the jobs you can enter without a bachelor's degree. See more high paying jobs without a degree .
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much an explosives worker earns
Experience, licensing, certifications, region, and overtime move these numbers the most. A licensed, experienced worker in a high cost metro or a strong union market lands near the top of the range, while apprentices and workers in rural areas start closer to the bottom.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (New Jersey, $100,520) and the lowest (Iowa, $39,520) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 5,100 people work as explosives workers in the United States. At $61,390 a year, the job pays above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Explosives worker salary FAQ
How much does an explosives worker make an hour?
The median hourly wage for an explosives worker is $29.51. The middle half of explosives workers earn between $23.86 and $38.64 per hour.
What is the highest explosives worker salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of explosives workers earn more than $99,360 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does an explosives worker make a year?
The median annual salary for an explosives worker is $61,390. The average (mean) wage of $66,640 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being an explosives worker a well paid job?
At $61,390 a year, an explosives worker earns above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 5,100 people work as explosives workers in the United States.
Which state pays explosives workers the most?
New Jersey has the highest median salary for explosives workers at $100,520 a year. New York ($96,940) and North Carolina ($85,630) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being an explosives worker a good career?
Employment of explosives workers is projected to hold roughly steady 0% from 2025 to 2035, little or no change, compared with 3.5% average growth for all occupations. The BLS projects about 400 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become an explosives worker?
No. The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for explosives workers as a high school diploma or equivalent, so a four-year degree is usually not required to start.
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