What You Need to Know About Explosives Worker, Ordnance Handling Expert, or Blaster
Occupation Description 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.
Explosives Worker, Ordnance Handling Expert, or Blaster Responsibilities
- 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.
- Light fuses, drop detonating devices into wells or boreholes, or activate firing devices with plungers, dials, or buttons, in order to set off single or multiple blasts.
- Lower perforating guns into wells, using hoists; then use measuring devices and instrument panels to position guns in correct positions for taking samples.
- Verify detonation of charges by observing control panels, or by listening for the sounds of blasts.
- Assemble and position equipment, explosives, and blasting caps in holes at specified depths, or load perforating guns or torpedoes with explosives.
- Observe odometers, weight indicators, and instrument panels in trucks in order to position guns at predetermined points in wells.
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Things an Explosives Worker, Ordnance Handling Expert, or Blaster Should Know How to Do
These are the skills Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters say are the most useful in their careers:
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.
Judgment and Decision Making: Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Operation and Control: Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
Operation Monitoring: Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
Related Job Titles
- Aircraft Ordnance Technician
- Miner
- Pillar Man
- Shotblaster
- Fuse Cutter
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.
Explosives Worker, Ordnance Handling Expert, or Blaster Salary
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.
How much do Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters make in each U.S. state?
| 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 do Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters Use?
Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters may use on a daily basis:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Autodesk AutoCAD
- Global Positioning System GPS software
- ESRI ArcGIS software
How to Become an Explosives Worker, Ordnance Handling Expert, or Blaster
Education needed to be an Explosives Worker, Ordnance Handling Expert, or Blaster:
How Long Does it Take to Become an Explosives Worker, Ordnance Handling Expert, or Blaster?
Who Employs Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters?
Below are examples of industries where Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters work:
Related Careers
Those interested in being an Explosives Worker, Ordnance Handling Expert, or Blaster may also be interested in:
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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