Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters Salary in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC
In Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC, explosives workers, ordnance handling experts, and blasters earn $59,840 at the median — $28.77 an hour. The range runs from $51K at the entry level to $60K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 97.94), that's roughly $61,099 in purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,713/month — about 43.6% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $60K get you in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk?
About explosives workers, ordnance handling experts, and blasters
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC
Entry-level explosives workers, ordnance handling experts, and blasters (10th percentile) start around $51K. Mid-career wages sit at $60K.Top earners bring in $60K or more - a $9K spread from bottom to top.
Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York | $104K | +76% | 60 |
| Tennessee | $102K | +73% | 120 |
| Connecticut | $101K | +71% | N/A |
| Maryland | $94K | +58% | 770 |
| California | $87K | +47% | 180 |
| Wyoming | $87K | +47% | 30 |
| Florida | $85K | +43% | 90 |
| New Mexico | $84K | +42% | 80 |
| Illinois | $83K | +40% | 130 |
| Hawaii | $77K | +31% | 70 |
| Washington | $77K | +31% | N/A |
| North Carolina | $77K | +30% | 80 |
| Montana | $69K | +17% | 60 |
| Ohio | $66K | +12% | 80 |
| Alabama | $65K | +10% | 80 |
Track explosives workers, ordnance handling experts, and blasters salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do explosives workers, ordnance handling experts, and blasters make in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC?
The median is $59,840 a year - that works out to about $28.77 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $50,580, and experienced explosives workers, ordnance handling experts, and blasters can clear $59,920. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $60K enough to live in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $3,933/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,713/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 43.6% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb - housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a explosives workers, ordnance handling experts, and blasters salary go in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk?
Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk has a Regional Price Parity of 97.94 (100 is the national average). That's below average - your money stretches further here than the raw salary number suggests. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median explosives workers, ordnance handling experts, and blasters salary is worth about $61,099 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do explosives workers, ordnance handling experts, and blasters get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.