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

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
New Mexico Median
$78,960
per year
Hourly Rate
$37.96
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+29% vs US median
US median $61,390
State Rank
#7 of 32
80 employed here

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

Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters in New Mexico take home a median of $78,960 annually — roughly $37.96 an hour — which runs 29% above the national median of $61,390.

Within New Mexico, entry-level pay starts around $37,300 while the top 10% make $87,360 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $45,810 and $84,130 a year.

Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters salary range in New Mexico

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$37,300$17.93
25th percentile (early career)$45,810$22.02
50th percentile (median)$78,960$37.96
75th percentile (experienced)$84,130$40.45
90th percentile (top earners)$87,360$42.00

How New Mexico compares

New Mexico ranks 7th 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 New Mexico

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 New Mexico pay ($78,960) 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 New Mexico?
The median Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters salary in New Mexico is $78,960 per year, or about $37.96 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $37,300 at the entry level to $87,360 for the top 10% of earners.
How does New Mexico pay compare to the national average?
New Mexico pays Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters about 29% more than the national median of $61,390. New Mexico ranks 7th out of 32 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is New Mexico a good state for Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters?
Yes on pay — New Mexico pays above the national median for this occupation, at $78,960 a year. About 80 Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters are employed in New Mexico. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in New Mexico?
The highest-paying occupations in New Mexico include Emergency Medicine Physician ($405,130), Anesthesiologist ($393,970), Surgeon, All Other ($363,940), 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.