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

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
North Carolina Median
$85,630
per year
Hourly Rate
$41.17
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+39% vs US median
US median $61,390
State Rank
#3 of 32
160 employed here

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

Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters working in North Carolina earn a median salary of $85,630 per year, or about $41.17 per hour. That is 39% above the national median of $61,390 for this occupation.

Within North Carolina, entry-level pay starts around $60,950 while the top 10% make $104,280 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $78,310 and $95,420 a year.

Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters salary range in North Carolina

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$60,950$29.30
25th percentile (early career)$78,310$37.65
50th percentile (median)$85,630$41.17
75th percentile (experienced)$95,420$45.88
90th percentile (top earners)$104,280$50.13

How North Carolina compares

North Carolina ranks 3rd 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 North Carolina

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 North Carolina pay ($85,630) 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 North Carolina?
The median Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters salary in North Carolina is $85,630 per year, or about $41.17 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $60,950 at the entry level to $104,280 for the top 10% of earners.
How does North Carolina pay compare to the national average?
North Carolina pays Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters about 39% more than the national median of $61,390. North Carolina ranks 3rd out of 32 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is North Carolina a good state for Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters?
Yes on pay — North Carolina pays above the national median for this occupation, at $85,630 a year. About 160 Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters are employed in North Carolina. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in North Carolina?
The highest-paying occupations in North Carolina include Surgeon, All Other ($398,410), Dermatologist ($367,350), Emergency Medicine Physician ($339,350), 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.