What is a Hazardous Materials Removal Worker?
Job Description & Duties 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.
What do Hazardous Materials Removal Workers do On a Daily Basis?
- Load or unload materials into containers or onto trucks, using hoists or forklifts.
- Remove or limit contamination following emergencies involving hazardous substances.
- Operate cranes to move or load baskets, casks, or canisters.
- Comply with prescribed safety procedures or federal laws regulating waste disposal methods.
- Apply bioremediation techniques to hazardous wastes to allow naturally occurring bacteria to break down toxic substances.
- Build containment areas prior to beginning abatement or decontamination work.
Hazardous Materials Removal Worker Required Skills
Below is a list of the skills most Hazardous Materials Removal Workers say are important on the job.
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.
Operation Monitoring: Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
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.
Related Job Titles
- Team Driver
- Hazardous Material Specialist
- Hazmat Technician (Hazardous Materials Technician)
- Material Specialist
- Hazardous Materials Driver (Hazmat Driver)
Hazardous Materials Removal Worker Job Outlook
There were about 46,200 jobs for Hazardous Materials Removal Workers in 2016 (in the United States).
New jobs are being produced at a rate of 17.2% which is lower than average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 7,900 new jobs for Hazardous Materials Removal Workers by 2026. The BLS estimates 6,700 yearly job openings in this field per year.
The states with the most job growth for Hazardous Materials Removal Workers are California, New York, and Texas.
Watch out if you plan on working in Vermont, South Dakota, or Mississippi. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Hazardous Materials Removal Worker Average Salary
The typical yearly salary for Hazardous Materials Removal Workers is somewhere between $27,910 and $75,840. The median salary is $42,030.
Below is a list of the median annual salaries for jobs of this type in different U.S. states.
| State | Annual Mean Salary |
|---|---|
|
Alaska |
$64,460 |
|
Washington |
$62,040 |
|
New York |
$61,780 |
|
Tennessee |
$59,470 |
|
Hawaii |
$58,120 |
|
New Mexico |
$57,780 |
|
Illinois |
$57,570 |
|
New Jersey |
$56,860 |
|
North Dakota |
$54,940 |
|
Missouri |
$50,290 |
|
Wyoming |
$50,240 |
|
California |
$49,470 |
|
Massachusetts |
$48,780 |
|
Pennsylvania |
$48,640 |
|
Ohio |
$48,370 |
|
Montana |
$46,950 |
|
Rhode Island |
$46,330 |
|
Minnesota |
$45,580 |
|
Oregon |
$45,440 |
|
New Hampshire |
$45,030 |
|
Michigan |
$44,700 |
|
Kentucky |
$44,180 |
|
Nebraska |
$43,870 |
|
Utah |
$43,770 |
|
Alabama |
$43,720 |
|
Georgia |
$43,450 |
|
Indiana |
$43,320 |
|
Nevada |
$42,160 |
|
District of Columbia |
$41,510 |
|
Delaware |
$41,420 |
|
Maryland |
$41,210 |
|
Colorado |
$41,170 |
|
Connecticut |
$41,060 |
|
Oklahoma |
$40,540 |
|
Iowa |
$39,970 |
|
Texas |
$39,610 |
|
Wisconsin |
$39,310 |
|
Virginia |
$39,250 |
|
Louisiana |
$38,910 |
|
Florida |
$38,680 |
|
South Dakota |
$38,040 |
|
Maine |
$37,650 |
|
Vermont |
$37,250 |
|
West Virginia |
$36,750 |
|
Arizona |
$36,620 |
|
Mississippi |
$36,020 |
|
Kansas |
$35,780 |
|
South Carolina |
$33,310 |
|
Arkansas |
$33,140 |
|
North Carolina |
$29,420 |
What Tools do Hazardous Materials Removal Workers Use?
Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Hazardous Materials Removal Workers may use on a daily basis:
- SAP
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft PowerPoint
How do I Become a Hazardous Materials Removal Worker?
Education needed to be a Hazardous Materials Removal Worker:
How many years of work experience do I need?
Where Hazardous Materials Removal Workers Are Employed
Other Jobs You May be Interested In
Those interested in being a Hazardous Materials Removal Worker may also be interested in:
- Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters
Those who work as Hazardous Materials Removal Workers sometimes switch careers to one of these choices:
- Manufactured Building and Mobile Home Installers
References
Image Credit: Via Wikimedia Commons
Course Advisor provides higher-education, college and university, degree, program, career, salary, and other helpful information to students, faculty, institutions, and other internet audiences. Presented information and data are subject to change. Inclusion on this website does not imply or represent a direct relationship with the company, school, or brand. Information, though believed correct at time of publication, may not be correct, and no warranty is provided. Contact the schools to verify any information before relying on it. Financial aid may be available for those who qualify. The displayed options may include sponsored or recommended results, not necessarily based on your preferences.
© Course Advisor – All Rights Reserved.