Also called: Ammunition plant operator, Explosives operator
Works on production lines that make artillery shells, rockets, and ammunition.
Operators run machines that fill shells with explosives, inspect parts, and follow strict safety rules at Army ammunition plants. Production has ramped up sharply since 2022. Jobs are often in small towns in places like Iowa, Pennsylvania, and Arkansas.
Estimate; varies by plant and shift differentials.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
High school diploma, about 0 years after high school. High school diploma; on-the-job safety training.
Ways in: On-the-job training. Training cost: Get paid while you train.
Majors to look at: Manufacturing Technology (certificate).
Growing faster than average. Ammunition production is expanding rapidly.
Medium risk in 5 years, high in 10. New shell and ammo plants are highly automated; fewer line operators per plant.
Age 18+. One way to start: Apply to ammunition plants; they train new operators First: Background and drug checks plus explosives safety training
Classes: Manufacturing CTE, Chemistry.
Official data: O*NET occupation 51-9199.
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.