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

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Louisiana Median
$39,900
per year
Hourly Rate
$19.18
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-35% vs US median
US median $61,390
State Rank
#31 of 32
130 employed here

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

Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters in Louisiana take home a median of $39,900 annually — roughly $19.18 an hour — which runs 35% below the national median of $61,390.

Within Louisiana, entry-level pay starts around $35,030 while the top 10% make $51,680 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $36,970 and $47,090 a year.

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

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$35,030$16.84
25th percentile (early career)$36,970$17.77
50th percentile (median)$39,900$19.18
75th percentile (experienced)$47,090$22.64
90th percentile (top earners)$51,680$24.85

How Louisiana compares

Louisiana ranks 31st 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

Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters salary in other states

New Jersey $100,520New York $96,940North Carolina $85,630Wyoming $85,070Pennsylvania $84,400California $80,370New Mexico $78,960Tennessee $74,190Florida $69,780Colorado $69,640Utah $67,910Hawaii $64,560Missouri $64,040Virginia $63,920Georgia $61,480Illinois $60,520Nevada $60,500Idaho $60,360Alabama $59,820Maryland $59,720Indiana $59,110South Dakota $56,780Texas $56,600Oklahoma $55,180Arkansas $53,120Wisconsin $52,400Kentucky $50,360West Virginia $49,630Mississippi $47,060Ohio $46,630Iowa $39,520

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

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 Louisiana pay ($39,900) 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 Louisiana?
The median Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters salary in Louisiana is $39,900 per year, or about $19.18 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $35,030 at the entry level to $51,680 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Louisiana pay compare to the national average?
Louisiana pays Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters about 35% less than the national median of $61,390. Louisiana ranks 31st out of 32 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Louisiana a good state for Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $39,900 a year. About 130 Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters are employed in Louisiana. 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 Louisiana?
The highest-paying occupations in Louisiana include Pediatrician, General ($502,720), Anesthesiologist ($410,500), Obstetricians and Gynecologists ($404,550), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.

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

Related salaries

Roofer

$55,440
median pay · 135,000 employed

Solar Photovoltaic Installer

$53,140
median pay · 31,000 employed

Construction Laborer

$47,120
median pay · 1,097,000 employed

Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators

$70,070
median pay · 20,000 employed

Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators

$53,340
median pay · 42,000 employed

Helpers--Extraction Workers

$47,730
median pay · 7,000 employed
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.