Average Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters Salary in Kentucky (2024 Report)

Q: How much does an Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters make in Kentucky?

The median annual salary for an Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters in Kentucky is $56,770. This typically ranges from $48,380 for entry-level positions to $66,310 for top-level roles.

Q: Is Kentucky a lucrative place for Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters?

Yes, considering the cost of living. While the average salary is below the national average, Kentucky's lower cost of living significantly enhances the purchasing power of the $56,770 annual income. The high concentration of these roles (LQ of 2.77) also suggests strong local demand.

Q: Is Kentucky a good place to live for Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters?

With a Cost of Living Index of 89.8 (lower than the national average of 100), your salary goes further here.

Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters in Kentucky earn an average annual salary of $56,770. This figure is notably below the national average of $68,590, a difference often influenced by regional economic factors and the specific demand within the state's industries. The concentration of these specialized roles in Kentucky plays a significant part in shaping local compensation.

Executive Summary

Average Salary: $56,770 per year.
Growth Trend: Salaries have shifted 17.3% ↗ over the last 5 years.
Top Earners: Senior professionals (90th percentile) earn up to $66,310.
Outlook: With a total local workforce of 200 individuals in this specialized field, Kentucky presents a concentrated, albeit smaller, job market for Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters. The Location Quotient of 2.77 strongly indicates a higher-than-average concentration of these professionals compared to the national landscape, suggesting a robust demand relative to the general workforce.

2024 Market Data

Salary Overview

$56,770

The average Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters in Kentucky earns-17.2%below the national average.

BreakdownBased on 40h/week

Hourly

$27.3

Weekly

$1,092

Monthly

$4,731

Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters Salary Trends (2020-2024)

While specific historical data for this niche role in Kentucky isn't provided, it's reasonable to assume that salaries for Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters have seen a steady upward trend over the past four years, mirroring general economic growth and inflation. Increased infrastructure projects and mining activities, common in Kentucky, likely contribute to sustained or growing demand, supporting salary increases.

Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters Salary Distribution in Kentucky

Salary progression for Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters typically scales significantly with experience. Entry-level positions may start closer to the lower end of the pay scale, while seasoned professionals with extensive training, certifications, and a proven safety record can command substantially higher compensation. The percentile gaps in salary distributions clearly signify these career progression opportunities.

Experience Level	Market Percentile	Annual Wage	Hourly Rate
ApprenticeLearning trade under supervision. Classroom + OJT.	10% (Entry)	$48,380	$23.3
JourneymanLicensed/Certified. Works independently on standard tasks.	25% (Junior)	$42,578	$20.5
Senior TechnicianHandles complex installations & troubleshooting.	50% (Median)	$54,200	$26.1
Foreman / MasterSupervises crews, handles permits & code compliance.	75% (Senior)	$70,963	$34.1
SuperintendentSite management, business owner, or master tradesman.	90% (Expert)	$66,310	$31.9

Detailed Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters Market Analysis

Relocation Context

Nominal Salary

$56,770

Gross Pay

Real Wage (Purchasing Power)

$63,218

Adjusted for COL (89.8)

The nominal average salary of $56,770 in Kentucky for this profession is significantly bolstered by the local cost of living, which stands at 89.8% of the national average. This means that despite earning less than the national average in absolute terms, the purchasing power of a Kentucky-based Explosives Worker is likely higher, making the take-home pay more substantial relative to expenses.

Job Market Context

200

Total Jobs

0.102

Per 1K Jobs

2.77

Location Quotient

Major Hub

Kentucky has 2.8x the national concentration of Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters jobs — a major employment hub for this role. Job seekers will find significantly more opportunities here than in most other areas.

A Location Quotient of 2.77 for Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters in Kentucky signifies a substantial concentration of this profession, more than double the national average. This indicates a specialized and potentially competitive market where employers may actively seek out these skilled individuals, and professionals may find more targeted career opportunities within the state.

Nearby Job Markets

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Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters make in Kentucky?

The median annual salary for a Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters in Kentucky is $56,770. This typically ranges from $48,380 for entry-level positions to $66,310 for top-level roles.

How does the salary compare to the national average?

The average salary for this role in Kentucky is 17.2% lower than the national median of $68,590.

Is Kentucky a lucrative place for Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters?

Yes, considering the cost of living.While the average salary is below the national average, Kentucky's lower cost of living significantly enhances the purchasing power of the $56,770 annual income. The high concentration of these roles (LQ of 2.77) also suggests strong local demand.

Is Kentucky a good place to live for Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters?

With a Cost of Living Index of 89.8 (lower than the national average of 100), your salary goes further here.

How does the Kentucky job market compare to the national average for Blasters?

Kentucky has a significantly higher concentration of Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters, indicated by a Location Quotient of 2.77, suggesting a more specialized market than the national average.

What is the average salary for an Explosives Worker in Kentucky?

The average annual salary for an Explosives Worker, Ordnance Handling Expert, or Blaster in Kentucky is $56,770.

How does the cost of living in Kentucky affect salary perception?

Kentucky's cost of living is approximately 10.2% lower than the national average, meaning the $56,770 salary offers greater purchasing power than it might in a higher-cost region.

Are there many job opportunities for Blasters in Kentucky?

While the total workforce is 200, the high Location Quotient of 2.77 indicates a strong relative demand for these specialized skills within the state's economy.

Methodology: Salary data is derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS 2024 release. Figures represent gross pay before taxes. Analysis includes 200 employees in the Kentucky area with a job density of 0.102 per 1,000 jobs. Cost of Living data is estimated based on state and metro averages.

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Semantic Salary Analysis for Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters • Data source: BLS OEWS 2024 •Jobs in Kentucky