Life As a Hazardous Materials Removal Worker
Career Description Identify, remove, pack, transport, or dispose of hazardous materials, including asbestos, lead-based paint, waste oil, fuel, transmission fluid, radioactive materials, or contaminated soil. Specialized training and certification in hazardous materials handling or a confined entry permit are generally required. May operate earth-moving equipment or trucks.
Daily Life Of a Hazardous Materials Removal Worker
- Upload baskets of irradiated elements onto machines that insert fuel elements into canisters and secure lids.
- Identify asbestos, lead, or other hazardous materials to be removed, using monitoring devices.
- Identify or separate waste products or materials for recycling or reuse.
- Drive trucks or other heavy equipment to convey contaminated waste to designated sea or ground locations.
- Record numbers of containers stored at disposal sites, specifying amounts or types of equipment or waste disposed.
- Mix or pour concrete into forms to encase waste material for disposal.
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Things a Hazardous Materials Removal Worker Should Know How to Do
Hazardous Materials Removal Workers state the following job skills are important in their day-to-day work.
Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Operation and Control: Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Operation Monitoring: Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Related Job Titles
- Abatement Worker
- Junk Removal Specialist
- Material Specialist
- Waste Disposal Attendant
- Hazardous Materials Driver (Hazmat Driver)
Are There Job Opportunities for Hazardous Materials Removal Workers?
There were about 46,200 jobs for Hazardous Materials Removal Worker in 2016 (in the United States). New jobs are being produced at a rate of 17.1% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 7,900 new jobs for Hazardous Materials Removal Worker by 2026. There will be an estimated 6,700 positions for Hazardous Materials Removal Worker per year.

The states with the most job growth for Hazardous Materials Removal Worker are Utah, Wyoming, and North Dakota. Watch out if you plan on working in Michigan, Pennsylvania, or Alaska. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
How Much Does a Hazardous Materials Removal Worker Make?
The typical yearly salary for Hazardous Materials Removal Workers is somewhere between $27,910 and $75,840.

Hazardous Materials Removal Workers who work in New York, Washington, or Alaska, make the highest salaries.
How much do Hazardous Materials Removal Workers make in each U.S. state?
State | Annual Mean Salary |
---|---|
Alabama | $43,720 |
Alaska | $64,460 |
Arizona | $36,620 |
Arkansas | $33,140 |
California | $49,470 |
Colorado | $41,170 |
Connecticut | $41,060 |
Delaware | $41,420 |
District of Columbia | $41,510 |
Florida | $38,680 |
Georgia | $43,450 |
Hawaii | $58,120 |
Illinois | $57,570 |
Indiana | $43,320 |
Iowa | $39,970 |
Kansas | $35,780 |
Kentucky | $44,180 |
Louisiana | $38,910 |
Maine | $37,650 |
Maryland | $41,210 |
Massachusetts | $48,780 |
Michigan | $44,700 |
Minnesota | $45,580 |
Mississippi | $36,020 |
Missouri | $50,290 |
Montana | $46,950 |
Nebraska | $43,870 |
Nevada | $42,160 |
New Hampshire | $45,030 |
New Jersey | $56,860 |
New Mexico | $57,780 |
New York | $61,780 |
North Carolina | $29,420 |
North Dakota | $54,940 |
Ohio | $48,370 |
Oklahoma | $40,540 |
Oregon | $45,440 |
Pennsylvania | $48,640 |
Rhode Island | $46,330 |
South Carolina | $33,310 |
South Dakota | $38,040 |
Tennessee | $59,470 |
Texas | $39,610 |
Utah | $43,770 |
Vermont | $37,250 |
Virginia | $39,250 |
Washington | $62,040 |
West Virginia | $36,750 |
Wisconsin | $39,310 |
Wyoming | $50,240 |
What Tools do Hazardous Materials Removal Workers Use?
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Hazardous Materials Removal Workers:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Word processing software
- SAP
- Spreadsheet software
- Database software
- Presentation software
- Internet browser software
- Computerized maintenance management system software CMMS
How to Become a Hazardous Materials Removal Worker
What education or degrees do I need to become a Hazardous Materials Removal Worker?

How many years of work experience do I need?

Where Hazardous Materials Removal Workers Work

Hazardous Materials Removal Workers work in the following industries:

Similar Careers
Those interested in being a Hazardous Materials Removal Worker may also be interested in:
Those who work as a Hazardous Materials Removal Worker sometimes switch careers to one of these choices:
References:
Image Credit: Airman 1st Class Ryan Conroy via Public domain
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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