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

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Illinois Median
$60,520
per year
Hourly Rate
$29.10
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-1% vs US median
US median $61,390
State Rank
#16 of 32
110 employed here

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

Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters in Illinois take home a median of $60,520 annually — roughly $29.10 an hour — which runs 1% below the national median of $61,390.

Within Illinois, entry-level pay starts around $52,420 while the top 10% make $93,180 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $57,620 and $84,760 a year.

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

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$52,420$25.20
25th percentile (early career)$57,620$27.70
50th percentile (median)$60,520$29.10
75th percentile (experienced)$84,760$40.75
90th percentile (top earners)$93,180$44.80

How Illinois compares

Illinois ranks 16th 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 Illinois

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 Illinois pay ($60,520) 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 Illinois?
The median Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters salary in Illinois is $60,520 per year, or about $29.10 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $52,420 at the entry level to $93,180 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Illinois pay compare to the national average?
Illinois pays Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters about 1% less than the national median of $61,390. Illinois ranks 16th out of 32 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Illinois a good state for Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $60,520 a year. About 110 Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters are employed in Illinois. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Illinois?
The highest-paying occupations in Illinois include Cardiologist ($517,850), Surgeon, All Other ($438,010), Dermatologist ($435,750), 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.