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.
Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters
SOC: 47-5032 O*NET: 47-5032.00
Median Salary
$59,110
per year
Job Growth
📉 -0.9%
Slower (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
0.5
projected jobs/year
Education Level
High school diploma or equivalent
Job Zone 2
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.
What does a Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$45,160
10th percentile
Early Career
$49,860
25th percentile
Median
$59,110
50th percentile
Experienced
$80,050
75th percentile
Top Earners
$104,210
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$45,160
25th
$49,860
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$59,110
Mean: $66,840
75th
$80,050
90th
$104,210
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $59,050 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $49,860 and $80,050
- •Salary spread is 51.1% around the median, showing high variation
- •Total national employment: 5,680 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Low Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:5,800
Top Industries
Mining, Quarrying, and Oil and Gas Extraction21.1%
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services15.5%
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services15.5%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:-0.9%
Annual Openings:500
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)5,800
Current
2034 (Projected)5,800
-0.9%
-100
Employment Change
-0.9%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: More slowly than average
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 34 locations
Maryland
770 jobs$93,5507.60x
Indiana
420 jobs$55,6603.56x
Nevada
340 jobs$58,1606.09x
Oklahoma
340 jobs$56,1805.45x
Missouri
240 jobs$62,5002.25x
Kentucky
200 jobs$54,2002.77x
California
180 jobs$87,1100.27x
Georgia
180 jobs$46,8300.98x
Virginia
150 jobs$59,8400.99x
Illinois
130 jobs$82,7100.58x
Tennessee
120 jobs$102,0601.00x
West Virginia
110 jobs$57,3504.15x
Arkansas
110 jobs$52,1202.25x
Louisiana
110 jobs$45,9001.51x
Iowa
100 jobs$41,9301.72x
Understanding the Data
Location Quotient (LQ):
- • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
- • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
- • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average
Data Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024
Key Growth Factors
- •Employment decline projected
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Active Listening
100%
#2
Monitoring
94%
#3
Judgment and Decision Making
86%
#4
Critical Thinking
80%
#5
Operation and Control
74%
#6
Operations Monitoring
66%
#7
Complex Problem Solving
60%
#8
Speaking
54%
#9
Time Management
46%
#10
Coordination
40%
Skills Overview
Active Listening
advanced5.0
100%
Monitoring
advanced4.7
94%
Judgment and Decision Making
intermediate4.3
86%
Critical Thinking
intermediate4.0
80%
Operation and Control
intermediate3.7
74%
Operations Monitoring
intermediate3.3
66%
Complex Problem Solving
advanced3.0
60%
Speaking
basic2.7
54%
Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.
Filter:
Sort by:
Active Listening
advancedImportance100%
skills
5.0/5.0
Monitoring
advancedImportance94%
skills
4.7/5.0
Judgment and Decision Making
intermediateImportance86%
abilities
4.3/5.0
Critical Thinking
intermediateImportance80%
abilities
4.0/5.0
Operation and Control
intermediateImportance74%
abilities
3.7/5.0
Operations Monitoring
intermediateImportance66%
skills
3.3/5.0
Complex Problem Solving
advancedImportance60%
abilities
3.0/5.0
Speaking
basicImportance54%
skills
2.7/5.0
Time Management
basicImportance46%
skills
2.3/5.0
Coordination
basicImportance40%
skills
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters100%
5 shared skills
Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels82%
5 shared skills
Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic82%
5 shared skills
Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Synthetic and Glass Fibers82%
5 shared skills
Farmworkers, Farm, Ranch, and Aquacultural Animals82%
5 shared skills
Hoist and Winch Operators82%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Monitoring
Learn on the Job:
- →Operations Monitoring
- →Speaking
- →Complex Problem Solving
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Monitoring
- ✓Judgment and Decision Making
- ✓Critical Thinking
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Active Listening
- ★Judgment and Decision Making
- ★Critical Thinking
- ★Operation and Control
Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
- •Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
- •Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
- •Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters
Technology Intensity
High
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires advanced digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Proficiency with specialized softwareTechnical documentationData analysis toolsSystem integration
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
Autodesk AutoCAD
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Outlook
🔥 Hot TechESRI ArcGIS software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Office software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft PowerPoint
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Excel
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Word
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Autodesk AutoCAD
Microsoft Outlook
ESRI ArcGIS software
Microsoft Office software
Microsoft PowerPoint
Microsoft Excel
Microsoft Word
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
🏢
Location
MOSTLY INDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
MODERATE
👥
Team Orientation
SOME TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
OCCASIONAL
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in mostly indoor environments?
- •Can you meet moderate physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy some team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
21
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
General Responsibilities (17)Training & Development (1)Documentation & Record-Keeping (2)Operations & Execution (1)
1
Examine blast areas to determine amounts and kinds of explosive charges needed and to ensure that safety laws are observed.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities100% perform100%
2
Tie specified lengths of delaying fuses into patterns in order to time sequences of explosions.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities97% perform98%
3
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.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities94% perform96%
4
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.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities91% perform94%
5
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.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities88% perform92%
6
Mark patterns, locations, and depths of charge holes for drilling, and issue drilling instructions.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Training & Development85% perform90%
7
Compile and keep gun and explosives records in compliance with local and federal laws.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping82% perform88%
8
Measure depths of drilled blast holes, using weighted tape measures.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities79% perform86%
9
Connect electrical wire to primers, and cover charges or fill blast holes with clay, drill chips, sand, or other material.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities76% perform84%
10
Lay primacord between rows of charged blast holes, and tie cord into main lines to form blast patterns.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on general responsibilities activities
- •33% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
- •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters professionals typically have a RCI Holland code and highly value support
RRealistic
CConventional
IInvestigative
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters
Attention to Detail
CriticalAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.67
Dependability
Very ImportantDependability
Importance Level4.46
Integrity
Very ImportantIntegrity
Importance Level4.46
Self-Control
Very ImportantSelf-Control
Importance Level4.38
Stress Tolerance
Very ImportantStress Tolerance
Importance Level4.21
Adaptability/Flexibility
Very ImportantAdaptability/Flexibility
Importance Level4.08
Complete Work Styles Profile
Attention to Detail
4.7
Dependability
4.5
Integrity
4.5
Self-Control
4.4
Stress Tolerance
4.2
Adaptability/Flexibility
4.1
Cooperation
4.0
Initiative
4.0
Analytical Thinking
4.0
Leadership
3.8
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
High school diploma or equivalent
Typical duration: High school diploma or GED
Preparation Level
Job Zone 2
Some Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:High school diploma or equivalent
These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work.
Training:
Training of a few months to a year
💼 Experience Requirement
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience
- • Vocational school programs (6 months to 2 years)
- • Industry certifications helpful
2
Job Zone Two: Some Preparation Needed
These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work.
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experienceVocational school programs (6 months to 2 years)Industry certifications helpful
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