Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters: Salary, Job Outlook & How to Become One (2026 Parent Guide)

Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters fall under the Construction and Extraction category in the U.S. occupational classification. Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters earn a median salary of $59,110 per year, ranking in the top 50% of all U.S. occupations. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects -0.9% job growth through 2034, projected to lose jobs through 2034. Entry into this field typically requires an apprenticeship, technical certification, or postsecondary training, with specific licensing or certification depending on the state and employer. For parents whose teenager is exploring this path, the most actionable step is mapping the education requirements to specific colleges and majors before junior year — not waiting until application season.

What do explosives workers, ordnance handling experts, and blasters earn?

The median annual wage for explosives workers, ordnance handling experts, and blasters is $59,110. That puts explosives workers, ordnance handling experts, and blasters at #407 on the BLS ranked list of all U.S. occupations by median pay. This salary is around or below the U.S. median for individual workers, so career growth often depends on advancement into supervisory roles, specialization, or additional credentials. Actual pay varies meaningfully by state, employer type, and years of experience — entry-level salaries are typically 30–40% below the median, while top-decile earners often exceed it by 50% or more.

Is explosives workers, ordnance handling experts, and blasters a growing career?

The 10-year outlook for explosives workers, ordnance handling experts, and blasters is -0.9%, projected to lose jobs through 2034. Employment is projected to move from approximately 5K positions in 2024 to 5K in 2034, a net change of 0K. A declining outlook does not mean the field is disappearing; it means automation, demographics, or substitution effects are shrinking the pool of openings. Students entering a declining field should plan for adjacent skills that transfer to growing roles.

What do explosives workers, ordnance handling experts, and blasters do every day?

According to O*NET task surveys of working explosives workers, ordnance handling experts, and blasters, these are the core responsibilities most professionals perform. This is what your teen would actually be doing in this role.

1. 1.Tie specified lengths of delaying fuses into patterns in order to time sequences of explosions.
2. 2.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.
3. 3.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.
4. 4.Compile and keep gun and explosives records in compliance with local and federal laws.
5. 5.Measure depths of drilled blast holes, using weighted tape measures.
6. 6.Assemble and position equipment, explosives, and blasting caps in holes at specified depths, or load perforating guns or torpedoes with explosives.
7. 7.Verify detonation of charges by observing control panels, or by listening for the sounds of blasts.
8. 8.Move and store inventories of explosives, loaded perforating guns, and other materials, according to established safety procedures.

Top skills for explosives workers, ordnance handling experts, and blasters

O*NET ranks these as the most important skills for this occupation, on a 1–5 importance scale derived from worker surveys.

What education does my child need to become explosives workers, ordnance handling experts, and blaster?

Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters typically enter the field through a formal apprenticeship, technical certification, or vocational training program — a strong fit for teens who prefer hands-on learning over traditional college. For parents helping a teen prepare, the highest-leverage step before junior year is identifying colleges and programs that feed reliably into this occupation — Solyo's college search lets parents filter by major and admissions data side by side.

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Common questions parents ask about explosives workers, ordnance handling experts, and blasters