Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters Salary by State
Also called: Explosives Workers and Blasters
The national median pay for explosives workers, ordnance handling experts, and blasters is $61,390 a year. By state, it ranges from $39,520 in Iowa to $100,520 in New Jersey.
Updated October 2026 · Data: BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
U.S. pay range
- Lowest 10%
- $40,480
- 25th percentile
- $49,630
- Median
- $61,390
- 75th percentile
- $80,370
- Top 10%
- $99,360
Annual pay, all U.S. workers in this job. About 5,100 jobs.
Median pay in 32 states
| # | State | Median | vs. U.S. | Lowest 10% | Top 10% | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New Jersey | $100,520 | +64% | $83,200 | $113,070 | Not published |
| 2 | New York | $96,940 | +58% | $72,650 | $123,160 | Not published |
| 3 | North Carolina | $85,630 | +39% | $60,950 | $104,280 | 160 |
| 4 | Wyoming | $85,070 | +39% | $59,790 | $88,000 | 60 |
| 5 | Pennsylvania | $84,400 | +37% | $58,070 | $102,730 | Not published |
| 6 | California | $80,370 | +31% | $34,320 | $125,930 | 220 |
| 7 | New Mexico | $78,960 | +29% | $37,300 | $87,360 | 80 |
| 8 | Tennessee | $74,190 | +21% | $37,400 | $122,450 | 70 |
| 9 | Florida | $69,780 | +14% | $50,120 | $143,260 | 90 |
| 10 | Colorado | $69,640 | +13% | $54,870 | $91,550 | 140 |
| 11 | Utah | $67,910 | +11% | $47,570 | $99,340 | 50 |
| 12 | Hawaii | $64,560 | +5% | $58,850 | $96,720 | 110 |
| 13 | Missouri | $64,040 | +4% | $52,040 | $82,140 | 150 |
| 14 | Virginia | $63,920 | +4% | $51,900 | $80,260 | 80 |
| 15 | Georgia | $61,480 | 0% | $45,430 | $99,040 | 70 |
| 16 | Illinois | $60,520 | −1% | $52,420 | $93,180 | 110 |
| 17 | Nevada | $60,500 | −1% | $50,740 | $90,520 | 260 |
| 18 | Idaho | $60,360 | −2% | $56,110 | $124,090 | Not published |
| 19 | Alabama | $59,820 | −3% | $51,700 | $87,560 | 100 |
| 20 | Maryland | $59,720 | −3% | $45,810 | $106,890 | Not published |
| 21 | Indiana | $59,110 | −4% | $48,510 | $72,510 | 330 |
| 22 | South Dakota | $56,780 | −8% | $52,870 | $87,060 | Not published |
| 23 | Texas | $56,600 | −8% | $36,620 | $83,690 | 460 |
| 24 | Oklahoma | $55,180 | −10% | $44,300 | $69,280 | 330 |
| 25 | Arkansas | $53,120 | −13% | $42,080 | $66,270 | 90 |
| 26 | Wisconsin | $52,400 | −15% | $43,690 | $82,190 | 60 |
| 27 | Kentucky | $50,360 | −18% | $24,640 | $75,270 | 380 |
| 28 | West Virginia | $49,630 | −19% | $46,370 | $65,630 | 50 |
| 29 | Mississippi | $47,060 | −23% | $37,480 | $66,190 | 40 |
| 30 | Ohio | $46,630 | −24% | $42,700 | $77,320 | 120 |
| 31 | Louisiana | $39,900 | −35% | $35,030 | $51,680 | 130 |
| 32 | Iowa | $39,520 | −36% | $37,170 | $55,190 | 90 |
BLS OEWS May 2025 state estimates. States without published data are not listed. “Not published”: BLS withheld the value or it is above the highest amount BLS publishes. Pay is not adjusted for living costs.
Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters salary questions
Which state pays explosives workers, ordnance handling experts, and blasters the most?
New Jersey, with a median of $100,520 a year (+64% vs. the national median of $61,390). BLS May 2025.
Which state pays explosives workers, ordnance handling experts, and blasters the least?
Iowa, with a median of $39,520 a year (−36% vs. national).
Where do most explosives workers, ordnance handling experts, and blasters work?
Texas has the most jobs, about 460, with a median of $56,600.
Does a higher salary mean more money left over?
Not always. These are pay figures only. Living costs, taxes and housing differ a lot between states, and this page does not adjust for them.