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

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
West Virginia Median
$49,630
per year
Hourly Rate
$23.86
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-19% vs US median
US median $61,390
State Rank
#28 of 32
50 employed here

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

Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters working in West Virginia earn a median salary of $49,630 per year, or about $23.86 per hour. That is 19% below the national median of $61,390 for this occupation.

Within West Virginia, entry-level pay starts around $46,370 while the top 10% make $65,630 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $48,420 and $61,320 a year.

Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters salary range in West Virginia

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$46,370$22.29
25th percentile (early career)$48,420$23.28
50th percentile (median)$49,630$23.86
75th percentile (experienced)$61,320$29.48
90th percentile (top earners)$65,630$31.55

How West Virginia compares

West Virginia ranks 28th 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 West Virginia

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 West Virginia pay ($49,630) 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 West Virginia?
The median Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters salary in West Virginia is $49,630 per year, or about $23.86 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $46,370 at the entry level to $65,630 for the top 10% of earners.
How does West Virginia pay compare to the national average?
West Virginia pays Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters about 19% less than the national median of $61,390. West Virginia ranks 28th out of 32 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is West Virginia a good state for Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $49,630 a year. About 50 Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters are employed in West Virginia. 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 West Virginia?
The highest-paying occupations in West Virginia include Orthopedic Surgeon, Except Pediatric ($597,740), Emergency Medicine Physician ($491,230), Radiologist ($471,650), 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.