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

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Kentucky Median
$50,360
per year
Hourly Rate
$24.21
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-18% vs US median
US median $61,390
State Rank
#27 of 32
380 employed here

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

Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters in Kentucky take home a median of $50,360 annually — roughly $24.21 an hour — which runs 18% below the national median of $61,390.

Within Kentucky, entry-level pay starts around $24,640 while the top 10% make $75,270 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $26,630 and $60,760 a year.

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

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$24,640$11.85
25th percentile (early career)$26,630$12.80
50th percentile (median)$50,360$24.21
75th percentile (experienced)$60,760$29.21
90th percentile (top earners)$75,270$36.19

How Kentucky compares

Kentucky ranks 27th 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 Kentucky

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 Kentucky pay ($50,360) 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 Kentucky?
The median Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters salary in Kentucky is $50,360 per year, or about $24.21 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $24,640 at the entry level to $75,270 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Kentucky pay compare to the national average?
Kentucky pays Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters about 18% less than the national median of $61,390. Kentucky ranks 27th out of 32 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Kentucky a good state for Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $50,360 a year. About 380 Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters are employed in Kentucky. 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 Kentucky?
The highest-paying occupations in Kentucky include Cardiologist ($558,180), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($350,950), Anesthesiologist ($347,960), 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.