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.

What They Do

Explosives workers, ordnance handling experts, and blasters work with dangerous materials to accomplish controlled demolitions and excavations. They carefully measure and position explosive charges in buildings scheduled for demolition, quarries, mines, or construction sites where rock needs to be broken apart. Their day involves drilling blast holes, calculating the precise amount of explosives needed, loading charges into the holes, and connecting detonation systems. They ensure everyone is at a safe distance before triggering the blast, then inspect the results to verify the work was successful. These professionals also handle unexploded ordnance, store explosives in secure facilities, and maintain detailed records of all materials used.

Programs That Prepare You

College programs linked to this occupation, ranked by graduate earnings

Plumbing(associates)Ivy Tech Community College, IN
$82,191
Plumbing(certificate)City Colleges of Chicago-Kennedy-King College, IL
$82,055
Plumbing(certificate)Fox Valley Technical College, WI
$79,589
Ground Transportation(certificate)Johnson County Community College, KS
$74,114
Ground Transportation(certificate)Fox Valley Technical College, WI
$67,999
Ground Transportation(certificate)Central Lakes College-Brainerd, MN
$64,164
Plumbing(certificate)Emily Griffith Technical College, CO
$63,386
Ground Transportation(associates)Northwest Iowa Community College, IA
$60,943
Ground Transportation(certificate)Community College of Allegheny County, PA
$59,330
Ground Transportation(certificate)Hagerstown Community College, MD
$53,495
Ground Transportation(certificate)Elgin Community College, IL
$51,945
Ground Transportation(certificate)New England Tractor Trailer Training School of Massachusetts, MA
$51,761
Ground Transportation(certificate)New England Tractor Trailer Training School of Rhode Island, RI
$51,761
Ground Transportation(certificate)State Technical College of Missouri, MO
$50,941
Ground Transportation(certificate)Waukesha County Technical College, WI
$50,682
Ground Transportation(certificate)Lincoln Land Community College, IL
$49,142
Ground Transportation(certificate)Alexandria Technical & Community College, MN
$48,587
Ground Transportation(certificate)Chattanooga State Community College, TN
$48,579
Ground Transportation(grad-cert)Schuylkill Technology Center, PA
$48,085
Ground Transportation(certificate)Lake Superior College, MN
$47,879
Ground Transportation(certificate)Northland Community and Technical College, MN
$47,879
Ground Transportation(certificate)Dakota County Technical College, MN
$47,879
Ground Transportation(certificate)Minnesota North College, MN
$47,879
Ground Transportation(certificate)Hamrick School, OH
$47,287
Ground Transportation(certificate)Minnesota State College Southeast, MN
$47,171

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