Also called: Bomb Squad Supervisor, Hazardous Devices Unit Commander
Leads a police bomb squad, deciding how each suspicious package or explosive is handled and keeping technicians alive.
Commanders run the scene when a suspicious backpack is left at a stadium: they set the evacuation distance, choose whether to send the robot or a technician in a bomb suit, and talk with FBI partners. Between calls they manage training, budgets, robots and X-ray gear, and sweep venues before big events.
Police supervisor pay plus specialty pay. Estimate.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
High school diploma, about 14 years after high school. Senior police officer with years as an FBI-certified bomb technician, then promotion to sergeant or lieutenant.
Ways in: On-the-job training, Certification. Training cost: Get paid while you train.
Majors to look at: Criminal Justice, Chemistry, Engineering Technology.
Growing about average (about 3% over 10 years). BLS police and detectives, 2024-34; this assignment is a small slice (approx.).
Low risk for 10 years. Robots and sensors do more of the dangerous approach; command judgment stays human.
Classes: Chemistry, Physics, Robotics club.
Official data: O*NET occupation 33-1012.
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.