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Construction and Trades

Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters

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.

Visual summary of pay, outlook, skills, interests, and preparation for Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters
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Median pay

$59,110
Median annual pay for Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024
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10-year growth

-0.9%
Projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Annual openings

500
Projected annual openings, including growth and replacement demand.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Employment

5,800
Estimated U.S. employment for Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters in 2024.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024
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Jobs added or lost

-100
Projected numeric employment change from 2024 to 2034.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Entry preparation

High school diploma or equivalent
Typical additional preparation: Less than 5 years of related work experience; Long-term on-the-job training.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024 profile
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O*NET occupation profile

What the work involves

Strongest O*NET signals first.

Essential skills

  1. 1Active Listening
  2. 2Monitoring
  3. 3Critical Thinking
  4. 4Speaking
  5. 5Active Learning
  6. 6Reading Comprehension

Knowledge areas

  1. 1Public Safety and Security
  2. 2Law and Government
  3. 3Mathematics
  4. 4Engineering and Technology
  5. 5Administration and Management
  6. 6Customer and Personal Service

Abilities

  1. 1Manual Dexterity
  2. 2Near Vision
  3. 3Problem Sensitivity
  4. 4Arm-Hand Steadiness
  5. 5Deductive Reasoning
  6. 6Inductive Reasoning

Career interests

  1. 1Realistic
  2. 2Conventional
  3. 3Investigative
  4. 4Enterprising
  5. 5Social
  6. 6Artistic

Work styles

  1. 1Attention to Detail
  2. 2Cautiousness
  3. 3Stress Tolerance
  4. 4Dependability
  5. 5Integrity
  6. 6Self-Control

Work activities

  1. 1Making Decisions and Solving Problems
  2. 2Getting Information
  3. 3Documenting/Recording Information
  4. 4Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards
  5. 5Performing General Physical Activities
  6. 6Handling and Moving Objects

Work context

  1. 1Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets
  2. 2Outdoors, Exposed to All Weather Conditions
  3. 3Exposed to Hazardous Conditions
  4. 4Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
  5. 5Health and Safety of Other Workers
  6. 6Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls

Representative tasks

  • Examine blast areas to determine amounts and kinds of explosive charges needed and to ensure that safety laws are observed.
  • Tie specified lengths of delaying fuses into patterns in order to time sequences of explosions.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Mark patterns, locations, and depths of charge holes for drilling, and issue drilling instructions.
  • Compile and keep gun and explosives records in compliance with local and federal laws.
  • Measure depths of drilled blast holes, using weighted tape measures.

Software and tools

Autodesk AutoCAD · hot technologyESRI ArcGIS software · hot technologyMicrosoft Excel · hot technologyMicrosoft Office software · hot technologyMicrosoft Outlook · hot technologyMicrosoft PowerPoint · hot technologyMicrosoft Word · hot technologyBlaster's Tool and Supply Company Blaster's CalculatorDatavis DBS DesignerDetNet ViewShotGlobal positioning system GPS software

Sources

BLS provides national pay, employment, and projections. O*NET provides skills, interests, preparation, tasks, work context, and tools.

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