First Work Crew. Salary: $200 or less/gig 

The local fair needed an extra hand unloading the van for the fireworks display and put an ad on Craigslist. You answered. You're hoping to blow things up, eat, and get paid. Unfortunately, you don't actually get to do any of that.

Expert Work Crew. Salary: $500 or less/gig 

At the ripe old age of twenty or so, you've got some experience with fireworks. No one calls you fresh meat anymore. You get to set up the tubes instead of just unloading them from the van. So that's something.

Novice Pyrotechnician. Salary: $100–$2000/gig

Congratulations, you passed your certification and are now considered a pyrotechnician in the eyes of the law. Get out there and start booking your own shows. Seriously, start now. You've got bills to pay.

Seasoned Pyrotechnician. Salary: $50,000/year

You're on fire—hopefully not literally, but you never know in this profession. You regularly hire crews for events both in and out of state, sometimes even during the off-season. When your hometown needs a Fourth of July display to top last year's, you're their first call.

Special Effects Artist. Salary: $70,000/year

You've turned your reputation as a safe, dependable, and gifted fire artist into a lucrative stage show career. You're overseeing a team running the display at one of the resorts in Vegas, and you're having a blast. In the game of pyrotechnical poker, you got the royal flush.