What Do Explosives Worker, Ordnance Handling Expert, or Blaster Do?
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
- Signal hoist operators to lower torpedoes or sample-taking guns into wells and to raise equipment for sampling from blast holes after detonation.
- Verify detonation of charges by observing control panels, or by listening for the sounds of blasts.
- Observe odometers, weight indicators, and instrument panels in trucks in order to position guns at predetermined points in wells.
- Drive trucks to transport explosives and blasting equipment to blasting sites.
- Lower perforating guns into wells, using hoists; then use measuring devices and instrument panels to position guns in correct positions for taking samples.
- 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.
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What Every Explosives Worker, Ordnance Handling Expert, or Blaster Should Know
Below is a list of the skills most Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters say are important on the job.
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
- Iron Miner, Blasting
- Torpedo Worker
- Blast Setter
- Pillar Worker
What Kind of Explosives Worker, Ordnance Handling Expert, or Blaster Job Opportunities Are There?
In the United States, there were 6,300 jobs for Explosives Worker, Ordnance Handling Expert, or Blaster in 2016. 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. There will be an estimated 800 positions for Explosives Worker, Ordnance Handling Expert, or Blaster per 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.
Salary for an Explosives Worker, Ordnance Handling Expert, or Blaster
The typical yearly salary for Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters is somewhere 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 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?
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
Becoming an Explosives Worker, Ordnance Handling Expert, or Blaster
What education or degrees do I need to become an Explosives Worker, Ordnance Handling Expert, or Blaster?
How many years of work experience do I need?
Where do Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters Work?
The table below shows some of the most common industries where those employed in this career field work.
You May Also Be Interested In…
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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