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Blaster vs explosive ordnance handler

The differences between blasters and explosive ordnance handlers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a blaster and an explosive ordnance handler. Additionally, an explosive ordnance handler has an average salary of $43,778, which is higher than the $41,789 average annual salary of a blaster.

The top three skills for a blaster include CDL, hand tools and ATF. The most important skills for an explosive ordnance handler are hand trucks, hazardous materials, and law enforcement agencies.

Blaster vs explosive ordnance handler overview

BlasterExplosive Ordnance Handler
Yearly salary$41,789$43,778
Hourly rate$20.09$21.05
Growth rate1%3%
Number of jobs21927,028
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 55%High School Diploma, 32%
Average age2828
Years of experience44

Blaster vs explosive ordnance handler salary

Blasters and explosive ordnance handlers have different pay scales, as shown below.

BlasterExplosive Ordnance Handler
Average salary$41,789$43,778
Salary rangeBetween $25,000 And $67,000Between $24,000 And $78,000
Highest paying CityNewport News, VA-
Highest paying stateVirginia-
Best paying companySiemens-
Best paying industryManufacturing-

Differences between blaster and explosive ordnance handler education

There are a few differences between a blaster and an explosive ordnance handler in terms of educational background:

BlasterExplosive Ordnance Handler
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 55%High School Diploma, 32%
Most common majorBusinessCriminal Justice
Most common college--

Blaster vs explosive ordnance handler demographics

Here are the differences between blasters' and explosive ordnance handlers' demographics:

BlasterExplosive Ordnance Handler
Average age2828
Gender ratioMale, 95.3% Female, 4.7%Male, 89.0% Female, 11.0%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 12.8% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 22.2% Asian, 1.1% White, 60.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, -0.8%Black or African American, 13.9% Unknown, 3.8% Hispanic or Latino, 22.3% Asian, 1.7% White, 59.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, -0.7%
LGBT Percentage7%7%

Differences between blaster and explosive ordnance handler duties and responsibilities

Blaster example responsibilities.

  • Blast rail freight cars with steel grit to achieve require blast profile per paint specifications or customer's request.
  • Blast paint off of aluminum wheels in cabinet.
  • Lead foreman - run pipe sandblasting crew on site at oil field refineries.
  • Operate bobcat, emulsion, truck, and other equipment necessary to blasting.
  • Transport sand and run a three man crew to keep things on a tight schedule.
  • Mentore and train international employees on policies and regulations regarding ammunition and explosives resulting in expanding foreign networking.
    • Show more

Explosive ordnance handler example responsibilities.

  • Conduct foot patrol and/or vehicle patrol independently on premises.
  • Perform explosives testing using energetic materials following DoD safety procedures for ordinance disposal.
  • Respond to calls from military/combat personnel.

Blaster vs explosive ordnance handler skills

Common blaster skills
  • CDL, 25%
  • Hand Tools, 14%
  • ATF, 8%
  • Fall Protection, 6%
  • Blast Equipment, 6%
  • Grit, 5%
Common explosive ordnance handler skills
  • Hand Trucks, 52%
  • Hazardous Materials, 14%
  • Law Enforcement Agencies, 10%
  • Ammunition, 8%
  • Incident Reports, 6%
  • CDL, 6%

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