Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters Salary in California (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters in California, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
California Median
$80,370
per year
Hourly Rate
$38.64
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+31% vs US median
US median $61,390
State Rank
#6 of 32
220 employed here

How much do Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters make in California?

Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters in California take home a median of $80,370 annually — roughly $38.64 an hour — which runs 31% above the national median of $61,390.

Within California, entry-level pay starts around $34,320 while the top 10% make $125,930 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $34,320 and $102,170 a year.

Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters salary range in California

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$34,320$16.50
25th percentile (early career)$34,320$16.50
50th percentile (median)$80,370$38.64
75th percentile (experienced)$102,170$49.12
90th percentile (top earners)$125,930$60.54

How California compares

California ranks 6th out of 32 states and territories for Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1New Jersey$100,520
2New York$96,940
3North Carolina$85,630
4Wyoming$85,070
5Pennsylvania$84,400

Working as Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters in California

Nationally, about 5,000 people work as Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters in the United States. A high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job.

Considering a move? Compare California pay ($80,370) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.

Frequently asked questions

How much do Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters make in California?
The median Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters salary in California is $80,370 per year, or about $38.64 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $34,320 at the entry level to $125,930 for the top 10% of earners.
How does California pay compare to the national average?
California pays Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters about 31% more than the national median of $61,390. California ranks 6th out of 32 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is California a good state for Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters?
Yes on pay — California pays above the national median for this occupation, at $80,370 a year. About 220 Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters are employed in California. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in California?
The highest-paying occupations in California include Ophthalmologist, Except Pediatric ($400,150), Neurologist ($357,080), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($353,900), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.

← See the national Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters salary report

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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.