Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters
Also called: Explosives Workers and Blasters
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.
Also called: Aircraft Ordnance Technician, Ammunition and Explosives Handler, Blast Driller, Blast Hole Driller, Blast Setter, Blast Technician
Median pay
$61,390
per year, U.S.
Pay range (10th–90th)
$40,480 – $99,360
People employed
5,100
Holland code
RCI
Realistic · Conventional · Investigative
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
Is this career right for you?
These are the things that stand out in this job compared with other U.S. jobs (O*NET 31.0 work context). Answer honestly.
- 1.Are you OK with physical risk, such as hazardous equipment or conditions, with proper training?
- 2.Are you OK with hours that change?
- 3.Are you OK working outdoors in all kinds of weather?
- 4.Are you OK being on your feet and moving most of the day?
- 5.Do you work well under tight deadlines?
- 6.Are you comfortable following clear instructions?
The hard parts
- Work outdoors in all weather
- Exposure to hazardous conditions
- Tight deadlines are common
Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters pay by state
Highest-paying states
Annual median pay by state (32 states with published data). Source: BLS OEWS May 2025.
Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters salary in every state →
What explosives workers, ordnance handling experts, and blasters do
- 01Examine blast areas to determine amounts and kinds of explosive charges needed and to ensure that safety laws are observed.
- 02Tie specified lengths of delaying fuses into patterns in order to time sequences of explosions.
- 03Place 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.
- 04Place explosive charges in holes or other spots; then detonate explosives to demolish structures or to loosen, remove, or displace earth, rock, or other materials.
- 05Insert, 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.
- 06Mark patterns, locations, and depths of charge holes for drilling, and issue drilling instructions.
Skills that matter most
- Active Listening
- Monitoring
- Critical Thinking
- Speaking
- Active Learning
- Reading Comprehension
Knowledge
- Public Safety and Security
- Law and Government
- Mathematics
- Engineering and Technology
- Customer and Personal Service
Work styles that stand out
- Dependability
- Attention to Detail
- Integrity
- Cautiousness
- Self-Control
Education and first steps
Share of workers by required education, as reported to O*NET.
How people get started
- Usually needs a high school diploma (O*NET Job Zone 2).
- Related work experience: over 2 years, up to and including 4 years.
- On-the-job training: over 2 years, up to and including 4 years.
Most common answers from O*NET 31.0 Education, Training and Experience.
Interest fit (Holland code)
O*NET occupational interest scores, scale 1–7. Take the Free Career Test to compare with your own.
Career changes
Change from explosives workers, ordnance handling experts, and blasters
- Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators82% · −3%
- Hoist and Winch Operators81% · −8%
- Pile Driver Operators79% · +19%
- Locomotive Engineers78% · +33%
- Hazardous Materials Removal Workers78% · −19%
Change into explosives workers, ordnance handling experts, and blasters
Jobs whose skills carry over best (skill match, their median pay).
- Hazardous Materials Removal Workers86% · $49,450
- Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic79% · $43,960
- Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers76% · $60,600
- Aircraft Service Attendants75% · $40,450
- Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and Wall75% · $49,120
Majors that lead here
- Well Drilling/Driller
- Blasting/Blaster
- Construction/Heavy Equipment/Earthmoving Equipment Operation
From the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk.