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Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters: Entry-Level vs Senior Salary in Illinois (2025)

Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:

How does Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters salary grow from entry-level to senior in Illinois? State salary progression based on 2025 BLS data.

78% career growth potential

Data: BLS OEWS 2025 • Illinois salary data • Updated 2026-05-19

Entry-Level (P10)
$52,420
$4,368/mo
Mid-Career (Median)
$60,520
$5,043/mo
Senior (P90)
$93,180
$7,765/mo

Illinois vs National Average

Entry-Level (P10)
$52,420
National: $48,522
+8.0%
Mid-Career (Median)
$60,520
National: $64,207
-5.7%
Senior (P90)
$93,180
National: $91,057
+2.3%

Salary Progression: Entry-Level to Senior

The salary range for Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters in Illinois spans from $52,420 at entry-level to $93,180 at senior level — a difference of $40,760 per year.

P10
$52K
P25
$57K
Median
$60K
P75
$84K
P90
$93K

Career Growth Premium: +78%

Senior Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasterss in Illinois earn $40,760 more per year than entry-level professionals.

Annual Difference
+$40,760
Monthly Difference
+$3,397
Hourly Difference
+$19.60
Growth Multiple
1.8x

Detailed Salary Breakdown by Experience Level

Complete percentile breakdown showing how Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters salary increases with experience in Illinois, from entry-level (10th percentile) to senior (90th percentile).

Experience Level Percentile Annual Salary Monthly Hourly
Entry-Level P10 $52,420 $4,368 $25.20
Early Career P25 $57,620 $4,802 $27.70
Mid-Career Median $60,520 $5,043 $29.10
Experienced P75 $84,760 $7,063 $40.75
Senior / Expert P90 $93,180 $7,765 $44.80
Key Insight

Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters in Illinois has a moderate salary progression with a 78% growth from entry-level ($52,420) to senior ($93,180). While the growth potential is steady, professionals looking to maximize earnings may benefit from specialization, advanced certifications, or gaining experience in higher-paying states. The gap between median ($60,520) and P90 ($93,180) shows there is still room for meaningful growth beyond mid-career.

How Illinois Compares to Other States

Where does Illinois rank for Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters senior-level salaries? Compare Illinois's P90 pay to other top-paying states.

1
$143,260
Entry: $50K
+186%
2
$125,930
Entry: $34K
+267%
3
$124,090
Entry: $56K
+121%
4
$123,160
Entry: $72K
+70%
5
$122,450
Entry: $37K
+227%
6
$113,070
Entry: $83K
+36%
7
$106,890
Entry: $45K
+133%
8
$104,280
Entry: $60K
+71%
9
$102,730
Entry: $58K
+77%
10
$99,340
Entry: $47K
+109%

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Entry-level Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasterss (10th percentile) earn approximately $52,420 per year, or $4,368 per month. Early-career professionals (25th percentile) earn around $57,620. Based on 2025 BLS OEWS data across all U.S. states.

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

Senior Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasterss (90th percentile) earn approximately $93,180 per year. Experienced professionals (75th percentile) earn around $84,760. This represents a career premium of 78% over entry-level pay.

What is the salary growth potential for a Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters?

The career salary growth potential for Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasterss is 78%. Entry-level professionals start at $52,420, while senior-level can earn up to $93,180 — a difference of $40,760 per year.

Which state pays the highest salary for senior Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasterss?

The highest-paying state for senior Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasterss is Illinois, where 90th-percentile salaries reach $93,180 per year. See the full state-by-state comparison above.

How are entry-level and senior Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters salaries determined?

We use BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) 2025 data. The 10th percentile (P10) approximates entry-level pay — the salary that 90% of workers earn more than. The 90th percentile (P90) approximates senior/expert-level pay — only 10% of workers earn above this threshold. National averages are computed across all reporting U.S. states.

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About This Data

Salary percentile data for Illinois from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025. P10 approximates entry-level compensation; P90 approximates senior/expert-level compensation. State averages differ from national averages due to regional variations in cost of living, demand, and workforce composition. Actual salaries vary based on employer, experience, education, certifications, and specific location within Illinois.

Our Methodology · Data Sources · Source: BLS OEWS

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