Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters Salary in Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV

Median annual salary $104,210 +76.3% vs national
Median hourly $50.10
10th percentile $48,090
90th percentile $104,210
Employed locally 600
National median $59,110

Compare Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters salary & buying power

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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $48,090
    25th
    $58,230
    50th (median)
    $104,210
    75th
    $104,210
    90th
    $104,210

    Washington economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.00% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $123,896 2023 • Census ACS
    Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters salary vs area income 84% Median Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters salary is 16% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters

    Metro areaMedian salary
    New York $104,320
    Tennessee $102,060
    Connecticut $101,020
    New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ $100,520
    Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ $97,910
    Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA $94,240

    Related occupations in Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV

    OccupationMedian salary
    Construction Laborers $46,500
    Electricians $75,460
    First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers $81,100
    Carpenters $59,450
    Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters $64,030
    Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators $60,840

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters make per hour in Washington?

    The median hourly wage for Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters in Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV is $50.10, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $51.39 or more per hour.

    Is Washington above or below average for Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters salaries?

    The median Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters salary in Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV is 76.3% above the national median of $59,110. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters in Washington?

    Entry-level Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters (10th percentile) earn around $48,090 per year in Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $58,230.