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

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
South Dakota Median
$56,780
per year
Hourly Rate
$27.30
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-8% vs US median
US median $61,390
State Rank
#22 of 32
state estimate

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

Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters working in South Dakota earn a median salary of $56,780 per year, or about $27.30 per hour. That is 8% below the national median of $61,390 for this occupation.

Within South Dakota, entry-level pay starts around $52,870 while the top 10% make $87,060 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $56,770 and $64,700 a year.

Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters salary range in South Dakota

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$52,870$25.42
25th percentile (early career)$56,770$27.29
50th percentile (median)$56,780$27.30
75th percentile (experienced)$64,700$31.11
90th percentile (top earners)$87,060$41.86

How South Dakota compares

South Dakota ranks 22nd 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 South Dakota

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 South Dakota pay ($56,780) 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 South Dakota?
The median Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters salary in South Dakota is $56,780 per year, or about $27.30 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $52,870 at the entry level to $87,060 for the top 10% of earners.
How does South Dakota pay compare to the national average?
South Dakota pays Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters about 8% less than the national median of $61,390. South Dakota ranks 22nd out of 32 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is South Dakota a good state for Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $56,780 a year. 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 South Dakota?
The highest-paying occupations in South Dakota include Radiologist ($586,010), Emergency Medicine Physician ($393,870), Obstetricians and Gynecologists ($297,610), 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.