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Occupation · SOC 47-5032

Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters

There are 5,100 jobs in the U.S. Median pay is $61,390 a year. The most jobs are in Houston–Pasadena–The Woodlands, TX.

Construction & ExtractionTypical education: High school diploma or equivalent
5,100
Jobs in the U.S.
People employed, May 2025
$61,390
Median pay a year
Middle half: $49,630–$80,370
400
Annual openings
10-year change: 0%
High school diploma or equivalent
Typical education to enter

Metro areas with the highest employment

10 of 14 metro areas with BLS data for this occupation. LCA filings: Apr 2025–Mar 2026.

Metro areaEmploymentMedian payLCA filings
Houston–Pasadena–The Woodlands, TXMedian pay $55,830 · LCA filings 0180$55,8300
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJMedian pay $100,520 · LCA filings 0120$100,5200
Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington, TXMedian pay $45,180 · LCA filings 090$45,1800
Denver–Aurora–Centennial, COMedian pay $70,200 · LCA filings 080$70,2000
Urban Honolulu, HIMedian pay $66,850 · LCA filings 080$66,8500
Bakersfield–Delano, CAMedian pay $92,290 · LCA filings 060$92,2900
Charlotte–Concord–Gastonia, NC–SCMedian pay $86,900 · LCA filings 060$86,9000
Cincinnati, OH–KY–INMedian pay $27,400 · LCA filings 060$27,4000
Anniston–Oxford, ALMedian pay $62,070 · LCA filings 050$62,0700
Louisville/Jefferson County, KY–INMedian pay $83,750 · LCA filings 050$83,7500

Metro areas with the highest median pay

Median pay for this occupation in each metro area, May 2025.

Metro areaMedian payEmploymentLCA filings
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJEmployment 120 · LCA filings 0$100,5201200
Bakersfield–Delano, CAEmployment 60 · LCA filings 0$92,290600
Charlotte–Concord–Gastonia, NC–SCEmployment 60 · LCA filings 0$86,900600
Louisville/Jefferson County, KY–INEmployment 50 · LCA filings 0$83,750500
Denver–Aurora–Centennial, COEmployment 80 · LCA filings 0$70,200800

Prevailing wage levels (H-1B and PERM)

The minimum yearly wage by level. Level I is entry level and Level IV is fully competent; an H-1B employer must pay at least the level that fits the job.

Metro areaLevel ILevel IILevel IIILevel IV
Houston–Pasadena–The Woodlands, TXLevel II $51,376 · Level III $59,405 · Level IV $67,454$43,326$51,376$59,405$67,454
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJLevel II $94,286 · Level III $103,459 · Level IV $112,611$85,134$94,286$103,459$112,611
Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington, TXLevel II $43,410 · Level III $54,246 · Level IV $65,083$32,573$43,410$54,246$65,083
Denver–Aurora–Centennial, COLevel II $65,437 · Level III $70,262 · Level IV $75,109$60,590$65,437$70,262$75,109
Urban Honolulu, HILevel II $67,038 · Level III $73,424 · Level IV $79,830$60,632$67,038$73,424$79,830
Bakersfield–Delano, CALevel II $86,757 · Level III $95,597 · Level IV $104,416$77,938$86,757$95,597$104,416
Charlotte–Concord–Gastonia, NC–SCLevel II $80,330 · Level III $87,630 · Level IV $94,910$73,050$80,330$87,630$94,910
Cincinnati, OH–KY–INLevel II $32,760 · Level III $38,106 · Level IV $43,472$27,394$32,760$38,106$43,472
Anniston–Oxford, ALLevel II $56,950 · Level III $61,402 · Level IV $65,832$52,520$56,950$61,402$65,832
Louisville/Jefferson County, KY–INLevel II $52,832 · Level III $78,582 · Level IV $104,333$27,082$52,832$78,582$104,333

Source: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027.

Related majors

Majors most closely related to this occupation. International graduates: 2024–25 academic year.

MajorInternational graduatesSTEM OPT
Plumbing and Related Water Supply ServicesCIP 46.05OPT · up to 12 months11OPT · up to 12 months

See Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters in every metro area

All 14 metro areas, pay in each, related majors, schools in each job market, and employers with LCA filing history.

Employers with LCA filings for this occupation

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Related occupations · Construction & Extraction

Construction LaborersElectriciansFirst-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction WorkersCarpentersPlumbers, Pipefitters, and SteamfittersOperating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment OperatorsPainters, Construction and MaintenanceConstruction and Building Inspectors

Sources: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 · BLS Employment Projections 2025-35 · U.S. Department of Labor LCA disclosure data, Apr 2025–Mar 2026 · IPEDS 2024–25. Prevailing wages: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027. Methodology