Explore Careers
Ordnance Specialists
Explore Careers
Ordnance Specialists
Intelligence, Combat and ReadinessService Branches with this Role
What do Ordnance Specialists do in the Military?
Where do Ordnance Specialists work?
Ordnance specialists work indoors and outdoors. They work in repair shops while assembling explosives and repairing weapons. They work outdoors while repairing equipment in the field and loading weapons on tanks, ships, or aircraft.
How much do they make?
Median Military Salary
This is the median, or the midpoint, of the salary range for this career.
Note that the median salary does not include bonuses, special pays, health or dental benefits — which are a standard part of military compensation.
This is the median, or the midpoint, of the salary range for this career.
Note that the median salary does not include bonuses, special pays, health or dental benefits — which are a standard part of military compensation.
$68,695
Military Salary Range
This is the range based on years of service, degree level, special pays, family status and location.
Note that the median salary does not include bonuses, special pays, health or dental benefits — which are a standard part of military compensation.
This is the range based on years of service, degree level, special pays, family status and location.
Note that the median salary does not include bonuses, special pays, health or dental benefits — which are a standard part of military compensation.
$22,839 - $340,265
How Military Pay is More Than Just a Salary
Base pay is the standard income you'll earn as a service member, providing a stable foundation to start achieving your financial goals.
- Set based on rank and years of service.
- Paid every month.
Allowances are additional payments to help cover living expenses like housing and food.
- Tax-free payments.
- Varies by location and family status.
Special pay provides extra compensation for unique skills, hazardous duties, or challenging assignments.
- Based on specialized roles.
- Varies by position and duty.
What training do Ordnance Specialists gain in the Military?
All enlisted service members complete basic military training, which includes time spent in a classroom and in the field, and covers tactical and survival skills, physical training, military life and customs, and weapons training. Ordnance specialists in the Military will gain skills through classroom study and on-the-job experience. Job-specific training content may include:
- Maintenance of nuclear weapons
- Handling, testing, and maintenance of missiles and rockets
- Ammunition identification and ammunition-related publications
- Ammunition/maintenance operations
- Explosives demolition operations
- Operation of automated and manual ammunition management systems
- Basic electronics/electricity fundamentals
- Hazards and identification of United States and foreign munitions
- Demolition materials, procedures, and operations
- Chemical and biological ordnance and operations
- Chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and explosive incident defense (CBRNE)
Military Training for Enlisted Service members
All enlisted service members complete basic military training, which includes time spent in a classroom and in the field, and covers tactical and survival skills, physical training, military life and customs, and weapons training.
What skills help Ordnance Specialists succeed?
- Ability to remain calm under stress
- Interest in working with guns and explosives
What are possible career paths after the Military?
- Helpers--Installation, Maintenance and Repair Workers
- Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines
- Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts and Blasters
- Hazardous Materials Removal Workers
- Remote Sensing Technicians