Hazardous Materials Removal Workers in Puerto Rico
Considering working as a Hazardous Materials Removal Workers in Puerto Rico? Here’s what you need to know. 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 Make in Puerto Rico?
For a hazardous materials removal workers working in Puerto Rico, the median annual wage is $26,180 per year (or about $12.59/hour).Annual wages span from $21,640 at the 10th percentile to $46,260 at the 90th percentile.
| Wage Statistic | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $21,640 | $10.41 |
| 25th percentile | $23,390 | $11.24 |
| Median (50th) | $26,180 | $12.59 |
| 75th percentile | $34,950 | $16.81 |
| 90th percentile | $46,260 | $22.24 |
The job concentration index in Puerto Rico compared to the national average — is 0.39, suggesting fewer hazardous materials removal workers per worker than the national average.
National Wage Comparison
Nationally, hazardous materials removal workers earn a median of $31,832 per year ($15.30/hour), lower than the Puerto Rico median.
Employment Outlook
There are roughly 380,120 hazardous materials removal workers in the U.S.. In Puerto Rico alone, about 120 people work in this role. That’s fewer than the typical state, which employs around 610 hazardous materials removal workers.
Top States for Hazardous Materials Removal Workers Employment
The table below shows the states where the most hazardous materials removal workers work.
| State | Number Employed |
|---|---|
| California | 7,950 |
| New York | 3,660 |
| Texas | 3,260 |
| Washington | 2,850 |
| Massachusetts | 2,550 |
| Florida | 2,300 |
| New Jersey | 2,090 |
| Colorado | 1,950 |
| Illinois | 1,810 |
| Pennsylvania | 1,600 |
| Virginia | 1,290 |
| Oregon | 1,230 |
| North Carolina | 1,210 |
| Ohio | 1,160 |
| Louisiana | 1,020 |
| Michigan | 960 |
| New Mexico | 940 |
| South Carolina | 870 |
| Maryland | 830 |
| Indiana | 800 |
Highest-Paying States for Hazardous Materials Removal Workers
Where hazardous materials removal workers earn the most: hazardous materials removal workers.
| State | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Tennessee | $65,080 |
| Minnesota | $63,560 |
| New York | $62,610 |
| Idaho | $61,230 |
| New Hampshire | $60,540 |
| Washington | $59,840 |
| Colorado | $58,790 |
| District of Columbia | $58,490 |
| Hawaii | $56,100 |
| New Jersey | $56,040 |
Skills
The most important hazardous materials removal workers skills, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Knowledge Areas
Important knowledge areas for this occupation, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Abilities
Top abilities for hazardous materials removal workers, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Daily Tasks
Common tasks include:
- Build containment areas prior to beginning abatement or decontamination work.
- Remove asbestos or lead from surfaces, using hand or power tools such as scrapers, vacuums, or high-pressure sprayers.
- Identify asbestos, lead, or other hazardous materials to be removed, using monitoring devices.
- Prepare hazardous material for removal or storage.
- Comply with prescribed safety procedures or federal laws regulating waste disposal methods.
- Load or unload materials into containers or onto trucks, using hoists or forklifts.
- Clean contaminated equipment or areas for reuse, using detergents or solvents, sandblasters, filter pumps, or steam cleaners.
- Remove or limit contamination following emergencies involving hazardous substances.
- Clean mold-contaminated sites by removing damaged porous materials or thoroughly cleaning all contaminated nonporous materials.
- Operate machines or equipment to remove, package, store, or transport loads of waste materials.
- Record numbers of containers stored at disposal sites, specifying amounts or types of equipment or waste disposed.
- Sort specialized hazardous waste at landfills or disposal centers, following proper disposal procedures.
Work Activities
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
- Getting Information
- Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials
- Performing General Physical Activities
- Handling and Moving Objects
- Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards
- Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
- Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
- Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
- Documenting/Recording Information
- Processing Information
Tools & Technology
Common tools and software used in this occupation include: Hot technologies: Jenkins CI
What Major Will Prepare You For This Career?
Programs that train for this career include:
- Environmental Control Technology
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Related Careers
Related occupations to hazardous materials removal workers include:
- Environmental Engineers
- Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors
- Environmental Engineering Technologists and Technicians
- Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health
- Nuclear Monitoring Technicians
- Occupational Health and Safety Specialists
Also Known As
Abatement Worker, Asbestos Abatement Worker, Asbestos Coverer, Asbestos Handler, Asbestos Hazard Abatement Worker, Asbestos Remover, Asbestos Technician, Asbestos Worker, Decontamination Worker, Decontamination and Decommissioning Operator (D and D Operator), Disaster Restoration Technician, Hazard Waste Handler, Hazardous Material Specialist, Hazardous Materials Driver (Hazmat Driver), Hazardous Materials Handler.
References
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — https://www.bls.gov/oes/
- O*NET Online — https://www.onetonline.org/
- BLS Employment Projections — https://www.bls.gov/emp/
- O*NET-SOC code: 47-4041.00
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