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Explosives Worker information

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$19.5K

$51.3K

$129.5K

How much do explosives worker jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 4, 2026, the average yearly pay for explosives worker in the United States is $51,256.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $38,500.00 and $45,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an explosives worker?

Explosives workers are specialized professionals who handle, prepare, and detonate explosive materials for purposes such as construction, demolition, mining, or manufacturing. They are responsible for following strict safety protocols to ensure the safe use, storage, and disposal of explosives. Their duties may include assembling explosive charges, placing them in designated locations, and monitoring blasts. Explosives workers often work outdoors and must be trained in federal and state regulations regarding explosives handling. The job requires attention to detail, physical stamina, and strong adherence to safety procedures.

What is the difference between Explosives Worker vs Blaster?

AspectExplosives WorkerBlaster
CertificationsExplosives Worker license, safety trainingBlaster license, safety training
Work EnvironmentConstruction sites, mining, demolitionMining, construction, quarrying
Industry UsageCommon in construction and demolitionPrimarily in mining and quarrying

Explosives Workers and Blasters often share similar certifications and work environments, such as construction and mining sites. However, Blasters typically hold specific licenses and are more focused on blasting operations in mining and quarrying, while Explosives Workers may perform a broader range of explosive-related tasks across various industries.

What are some common challenges faced by explosives workers, and how are they addressed on the job?

Explosives Workers often encounter challenges such as maintaining strict safety protocols, working in high-stress environments, and handling hazardous materials. To address these, employers provide comprehensive safety training, enforce the use of personal protective equipment, and implement detailed standard operating procedures. Teamwork and clear communication are essential, as Explosives Workers frequently collaborate with supervisors, engineers, and safety personnel to ensure operations are conducted safely and efficiently. Regular drills and ongoing education help reinforce best practices and reduce risks.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an explosives worker?

To thrive as an Explosives Worker, you need a strong understanding of safety protocols, chemical handling, and basic mechanical skills, typically requiring a high school diploma and on-the-job training or relevant certifications. Familiarity with specialized tools for measuring, mixing, and detonating explosives, as well as compliance with federal and state regulations, is essential. Attention to detail, reliability, and the ability to work well under pressure are crucial soft skills in this role. These skills and qualities are vital for maintaining safety, preventing accidents, and ensuring successful handling and detonation of explosives in various settings.

How much do explosives workers make?

Explosives workers typically earn a median annual wage of around $50,000 to $70,000, depending on experience, location, and industry. They often require specialized training and certifications, and may work in hazardous environments with strict safety protocols.
More about Explosives Worker jobs
What cities are hiring for Explosives Worker jobs? Cities with the most Explosives Worker job openings:
What states have the most Explosives Worker jobs? States with the most job openings for Explosives Worker jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Explosives Worker jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Explosives Worker jobs are:
What are popular job titles related to Explosives Worker jobs? For Explosives Worker jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Explosives Worker jobs near you
Infographic showing various Explosives Worker job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 89% Full Time, and 11% Part Time. Highlights an 100% Physical job distribution, with an average salary of $51,256 per year, or $24.6 per hour.

Painter (Explosives Worker)

US Department of the Army

Mcalester, OK • On-site

$28.74/hr

Other

Posted 14 days ago

United States Army rating

6.1

Company rating: 6.1 out of 10

Based on 488 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

45th of 49 rated military and defense

Job description

About the Position: Primarily serve as a spray painter, performing paint preparation and painting duties required to support all ammunition activities including inert and explosive ammunition items.Qualifications:Who May Apply: Only applicants who meet one of the employment authority categories below are eligible to apply for this job. You will be asked to identify which category or categories you meet, and to provide documents which prove you meet the category or categories you selected. See Proof of Eligibility for an extensive list of document requirements for all employment authorities.
  • Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan
  • Military Spouses, under Executive Order (E.O.) 13473
  • Priority Placement Program, DoD Military Spouse Preference (MSP) Eligible
  • Reinstatement

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student; social). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
There is no specific length of training or experience required. However, you must be able to demonstrate, through experience shown in your written application materials that you possess the sufficient knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the work of this position without more than normal supervision.
Minimum Qualifications (Screen Out Element): Ability to do the work of an Painter (Explosives Worker) without more than normal supervision. Preparing and painting a variety of surfaces to include interior or exterior items, applying prime, intermediate, and final coats to meet thickness, texture, and appearance requirements. I can prepare surfaces to be painted, such as removing scale, rust, grease, dirt, and old paint, apply markings to ammunition or guided missiles using stencils, rubber stamps or spray guns, and operate and performing maintenance on paint equipment. - Failure to meet this Screen Out Element will result in an ineligible rating.
  • Ability to Do the Work of the Position without More Than Normal Supervision
  • Ability to Interpret Instructions, Specifications, etc. (Other Than Blueprint Reading)
  • Ability to Use and Maintain Tools and Equipment
  • Ammunition and Explosives
  • Dexterity and Safety
  • Painting
  • Technical Practices (Theoretical, Precise, Artistic)
  • Physical Efforts:
    Position requires you to work from ladders, scaffolds, and platforms. Work is performed where the surfaces to be coated are in cramped and hard to reach places requiring you to stand, stoop, bend, kneel, climb, and work in tiring and uncomfortable positions. Work requires you to lift, carry, and handle heavy objects weighing 25 to 40 pounds and occasionally items exceeding 40 pounds up to 100 pounds. Work requires moderate muscular effort and dexterity and hand and eye coordination. All lifts over 50 pounds will be assisted with a two person lift or using a mechanical handling equipment lifting device. The two person lift limit is 100 pounds and will only be used for single event, non-routine lifts.
  • Working Conditions:
    Work is performed inside and outside and occasionally exposed to bad weather. Work is performed where incumbent is exposed to dirt, spray, fumes, stencil inks, paint, and greasy and noisy machines are present and exposed to mashed fingers, broken extremities, cuts, and abrasions from power conveyers, ammunition, and explosives. Must wear protective clothing and equipment.
Education:Employment Type: OTHER

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Industry

National security, health care and social assistance, national security and international affairs and public administration

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Arlington, VA, US

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