Also called: Pyro Tech, Fireworks Technician, Licensed Pyrotechnic Operator
Designs and fires fireworks and explosive effects for films, concerts, and shows.
A pyrotechnician loads fireworks shells, wires them to a computer firing system timed to music, and stands by with safety gear as a stadium show lights up the sky.
BLS explosives workers median ~$60k; film and concert pyro pay varies.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
Certificate, about 1 year after high school. State pyrotechnic operator license plus ATF clearance; apprentice hours required.
Ways in: Certification, Apprenticeship, On-the-job training. Training cost: Get paid while you train.
Majors to look at: Pyrotechnics (certificate), Chemistry.
Growing about average. Steady demand for shows and events.
Low risk for 10 years. Drone light shows replace some fireworks, but firing licensed pyrotechnics for shows and films stays human-run.
Classes: Chemistry, Physics, Shop class, Electronics.
Official data: O*NET occupation 47-5032.
Career Universe is an early version. Pay, training and AI-risk figures are estimates to start your own research, not verified facts. The research was written with AI research assistants, checked by validation scripts and spot-checked by hand. Check anything important with schools, employers and official sources. How the numbers work.