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

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Tennessee Median
$74,190
per year
Hourly Rate
$35.67
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+21% vs US median
US median $61,390
State Rank
#8 of 32
70 employed here

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

Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters working in Tennessee earn a median salary of $74,190 per year, or about $35.67 per hour. That is 21% above the national median of $61,390 for this occupation.

Within Tennessee, entry-level pay starts around $37,400 while the top 10% make $122,450 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $44,720 and $81,870 a year.

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

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$37,400$17.98
25th percentile (early career)$44,720$21.50
50th percentile (median)$74,190$35.67
75th percentile (experienced)$81,870$39.36
90th percentile (top earners)$122,450$58.87

How Tennessee compares

Tennessee ranks 8th 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 Tennessee

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 Tennessee pay ($74,190) 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 Tennessee?
The median Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters salary in Tennessee is $74,190 per year, or about $35.67 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $37,400 at the entry level to $122,450 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Tennessee pay compare to the national average?
Tennessee pays Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters about 21% more than the national median of $61,390. Tennessee ranks 8th out of 32 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Tennessee a good state for Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters?
Yes on pay — Tennessee pays above the national median for this occupation, at $74,190 a year. About 70 Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters are employed in Tennessee. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Tennessee?
The highest-paying occupations in Tennessee include Cardiologist ($610,080), Dermatologist ($433,630), Surgeon, All Other ($373,510), 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.