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What You Need to Know About Explosives Worker, Ordnance Handling Expert, or Blaster

Example of Explosives Worker, Ordnance Handling Expert, or Blaster Job 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. Includes seismograph shooters.

List of Explosives Worker, Ordnance Handling Expert, or Blaster Job Duties

Connect gun chambers to electric detonating devices, and operate controls at panelboards, in order to detonate charges in guns or to ignite chemical charges.
Repair and service blasting, shooting, and automotive equipment, and electrical wiring and instruments, using hand tools.
Connect electrical wire to primers, and cover charges or fill blast holes with clay, drill chips, sand, or other material.
Verify detonation of charges by observing control panels, or by listening for the sounds of blasts.
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.
Compile and keep gun and explosives records in compliance with local and federal laws.

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Explosives Worker, Ordnance Handling Expert, or Blaster Needed Skills

When polled, Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters say the following skills are most frequently used in their jobs:

Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Judgment and Decision Making: Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

Operation Monitoring: Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.

Operation and Control: Controlling operations of equipment or systems.

Types of Explosives Worker, Ordnance Handling Expert, or Blaster Jobs

Well Shooter
Blasting Coal Miner
Stump Blower
Firer
Quartz Miner, Blasting

Are There Job Opportunities for Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters?

In 2016, there was an estimated number of 6,300 jobs in the United States for Explosives Worker, Ordnance Handling Expert, or Blaster. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 7.9% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 500 new jobs for Explosives Worker, Ordnance Handling Expert, or Blaster by 2026. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 800 job openings in this field each year.

The states with the most job growth for Explosives Worker, Ordnance Handling Expert, or Blaster are Tennessee, Wyoming, and Florida. Watch out if you plan on working in Kentucky, Washington, or Utah. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.

What is the Average Salary of an Explosives Worker, Ordnance Handling Expert, or Blaster

The average yearly salary of an Explosives Worker, Ordnance Handling Expert, or Blaster ranges between $34,500 and $76,070.

Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters who work in Nevada, New York, or New Mexico, make the highest salaries.

Below is a list of the median annual salaries for Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters in different U.S. states.

State	Annual Mean Salary
Alabama	$50,440
Alaska	$63,620
Arizona	$55,880
Arkansas	$41,400
California	$68,980
Colorado	$60,750
Florida	$55,470
Georgia	$49,600
Hawaii	$61,590
Illinois	$61,180
Indiana	$50,220
Kentucky	$50,340
Louisiana	$52,610
Maryland	$65,020
Massachusetts	$65,760
Missouri	$48,770
Montana	$63,590
Nevada	$65,860
New Mexico	$65,350
New York	$72,090
North Carolina	$60,160
Ohio	$47,560
Oklahoma	$43,260
Pennsylvania	$61,830
Tennessee	$47,040
Texas	$41,050
Utah	$49,530
West Virginia	$47,530
Wisconsin	$76,390
Wyoming	$65,800

What Tools & Technology do Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters Use?

Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters:

Microsoft Excel
Microsoft Word
Microsoft Office
Microsoft PowerPoint
Autodesk AutoCAD
Global Positioning System GPS software
ESRI ArcGIS software

How do I Become an Explosives Worker, Ordnance Handling Expert, or Blaster?

What education is needed to be an Explosives Worker, Ordnance Handling Expert, or Blaster?

How many years of work experience do I need?

Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters Sector

Below are examples of industries where Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters work:

Other Jobs You May be Interested In

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References:

Image Credit: Tomwsulcer via Creative Commons CC0 1.0 Universal Public Domain Dedication

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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