Hazardous Materials Removal Workers
Career, Salary and Education Information
What They Do: Hazardous materials removal workers identify and dispose of asbestos, lead, radioactive waste, and other hazardous materials.
Work Environment: Work environments for hazmat removal workers vary with the material they are handling. Some of these workers must wear protective suits for several hours at a time. Completing projects often requires night and weekend work. Overtime is common, particularly for emergency or disaster response workers.
How to Become One: Hazmat removal workers need a high school diploma and are trained on the job. Most workers complete up to 40 hours of training in accordance with Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards. Some hazmat removal workers need a state license or permit.
Salary: The median annual wage for hazardous materials removal workers is $46,300.
Job Outlook: Employment of hazmat removal workers is projected to show little or no change over the next ten years.
Related Careers: Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of hazardous materials removal workers with similar occupations.
What Hazardous Materials Removal Workers Do[About this section] [To Top]
Hazardous materials (hazmat) removal workers identify and dispose of asbestos, lead, radioactive waste, and other hazardous materials. They also neutralize and clean up materials that are flammable, corrosive, or toxic.
Duties of Hazardous Materials Removal Workers
Hazmat removal workers typically do the following:
- Follow safety procedures before, during, and after cleanup
- Comply with state and federal laws regarding waste disposal
- Test hazardous materials to determine the proper way to clean up
- Construct scaffolding or build containment areas before cleaning up
- Remove, neutralize, or clean up hazardous materials that are found or spilled
- Clean contaminated equipment for reuse
- Package, transport, or store hazardous materials
- Keep records of cleanup activities
Hazmat removal workers clean up materials that are harmful to people and the environment. They usually work in teams and follow strict instructions and guidelines. The specific duties of hazmat removal workers depend on the substances that are targeted and the location of the cleanup. For example, some workers may remove and treat radioactive materials generated by nuclear facilities and power plants. They break down contaminated items such as "glove boxes," which are used to process radioactive materials, and they clean and decontaminate closed or decommissioned (taken out of service) facilities.
Hazmat removal workers may clean up hazardous materials in response to natural or human-made disasters and accidents, such as those involving trains, trucks, or other vehicles transporting hazardous materials.
Workers dealing with radiation may also measure, record, and report radiation levels; operate high-pressure cleaning equipment for decontamination; and package radioactive materials for removal or storage.
In addition, workers may prepare and transport hazardous materials for treatment, storage, or disposal in accordance with U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) or Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations. Using equipment such as forklifts, earthmoving machinery, and trucks, workers move materials from contaminated sites to incinerators, landfills, or storage facilities. They also organize and track the locations of items in these facilities.
Asbestos abatement workers and lead abatement workers remove asbestos and lead, respectively, from buildings and structures, particularly those which are being renovated or demolished. Most of this work is in older buildings that were originally built with asbestos insulation and lead-based paints—both of which are now banned.
Asbestos and lead abatement workers apply chemicals to surfaces, such as walls and ceilings, in order to soften asbestos or remove lead-based paint. Once the chemicals are applied, workers cut out asbestos from the surfaces or strip the walls. They package the residue or paint chips and place them in approved bags or containers for proper disposal. Lead abatement workers operate sandblasters, high-pressure water sprayers, and other tools to remove paint. Asbestos abatement workers also use scrapers or vacuums to remove asbestos from buildings.
Work Environment for Hazardous Materials Removal Workers[About this section] [To Top]
Hazardous materials removal workers hold about 44,700 jobs. The largest employers of hazardous materials removal workers are as follows:
| Remediation and other waste management services | 64% |
| Waste treatment and disposal | 11% |
| Construction | 6% |
Working conditions vary with the hazardous material being removed. For example, workers removing lead or asbestos often spend time in confined spaces or at great heights and must bend or stoop to remove the material. Workers responding to emergency and disaster scenarios may be outside in all types of weather.
Asbestos and lead abatement workers typically are in buildings being renovated or torn down, or in confined spaces.
Hazmat removal work may be physically demanding and strenuous.
Injuries and Illnesses for Hazardous Materials Removal Workers
Cleaning or removing hazardous materials is dangerous, and workers must follow specific safety procedures to avoid injuries and illnesses. They usually work in teams and follow instructions from a team leader or site supervisor.
Workers wear coveralls, gloves, shoe covers, and safety glasses or goggles to reduce their exposure to harmful materials. Some must wear fully closed protective suits, which may be hot and uncomfortable, for several hours at a time. Hazmat removal workers are required to wear respirators to protect themselves from airborne particles or noxious gases in extremely toxic cleanups. Lead abatement workers wear personal air monitors that measure the amount of lead exposure.
Hazardous Materials Removal Worker Work Schedules
Most hazmat removal workers are employed full time. Overtime and shift work are common, especially for workers responding to emergency and disaster scenarios.
Some hazmat removal workers travel to areas affected by a disaster. During a cleanup, workers may be away from home for several days or weeks until the project is completed.
How to Become a Hazardous Materials Removal Worker[About this section] [To Top]
Get the education you need: Find schools for Hazardous Materials Removal Workers near you!
Hazardous materials (hazmat) removal workers receive on-the-job training. They must complete up to 40 hours of training in accordance with Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards.
There are no formal education requirements beyond a high school diploma.
Education for Hazardous Materials Removal Workers
Hazmat removal workers typically need a high school diploma.
Hazardous Materials Removal Worker Training
Hazmat removal workers receive training on the job. Training generally includes a combination of classroom instruction and fieldwork. In the classroom, they learn safety procedures and the proper use of personal protective equipment. Onsite, they learn about equipment and chemicals, and are supervised by an experienced worker.
Workers must complete up to 40 hours of training in accordance with OSHA standards. The length of training depends on the type of hazardous material that the workers handle. The training covers health hazards, personal protective equipment and clothing, site safety, recognizing and identifying hazards, and decontamination.
To work with a specific hazardous material, workers must complete training requirements and work requirements set by state or federal agencies on handling that material.
Workers who treat asbestos or lead, the most common contaminants, must complete an employer-sponsored training program that covers technical and safety subjects outlined by OSHA.
Workers at nuclear facilities receive extensive training. In addition to completing the OSHA-required hazardous waste removal training, workers must take courses on nuclear materials and radiation safety as mandated by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission. These courses may take up to 3 months to complete, although most are not taken consecutively.
Organizations and companies provide training programs that are approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations for Hazardous Materials Removal Workers
In addition to mandating the completion of training required by OSHA, some states mandate permits or licenses, particularly for asbestos and lead removal. Workers who transport hazardous materials may need a state or federal permit.
License requirements vary by state, but candidates typically must meet the following criteria:
- Be at least 18 years old
- Complete training mandated by a state or federal agency
- Pass a written exam
To maintain licensure, workers must take continuing education courses each year. For more information, check with the state's licensing agency.
Work Experience in a Related Occupation for Hazardous Materials Removal Workers
Although work experience is not required, some employers prefer candidates with experience in the construction trades—workers such as construction laborers and helpers.
Important Qualities for Hazardous Materials Removal Workers
Decisionmaking skills. Hazmat removal workers identify materials in a spill or leak and choose the proper method for cleaning up.
Detail oriented. Hazmat removal workers must follow safety procedures and keep records of their work. For example, workers must track the amount and type of waste disposed of, equipment or chemicals used, and number of containers stored.
Math skills. Workers must be able to perform basic mathematical conversions and calculations when mixing solutions that neutralize contaminants.
Mechanical skills. Hazmat removal workers may operate heavy equipment to clean up contaminated sites.
Physical stamina. Workers may have to stand and scrub equipment or surfaces for hours at a time to remove toxic materials.
Physical strength. Some hazmat removal workers may have to lift and move heavy pieces of materials they are removing from a site.
Hazardous Materials Removal Worker Salaries[About this section] [More salary/earnings info] [To Top]
The median annual wage for hazardous materials removal workers is $46,300. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $30,110, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $76,390.
The median annual wages for hazardous materials removal workers in the top industries in which they work are as follows:
| Construction | $46,920 |
| Remediation and other waste management services | $46,080 |
| Waste treatment and disposal | $44,940 |
Apprentices are paid less than fully trained hazmat removal workers. Apprentices receive pay increases as they advance through the apprenticeship program.
Most hazmat removal workers are employed full time. Overtime is common for some workers, especially for those who respond to emergency and disaster situations.
Some hazmat removal workers travel to areas affected by a disaster. During a cleanup, workers may be away from home for several days or weeks until the project is completed.
Job Outlook for Hazardous Materials Removal Workers[About this section] [To Top]
Employment of hazardous materials (hazmat) removal workers is projected to show little or no change over the next ten years.
About 5,700 openings for hazardous materials removal workers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
Employment of Hazardous Materials Removal Workers
Employment growth will be driven by the need to safely remove and clean up hazardous materials (hazmat) at sites recognized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. However, funding for these activities may be sporadic; furthermore, construction laborers also perform some hazmat cleanup, offsetting demand for hazardous materials removal workers.
As nuclear plants are decommissioned, hazmat removal workers also will be needed to decontaminate equipment, store waste, and clean up these facilities for safe closure. However, some of the planned decommissioning activities have been delayed by the recent extension of site licenses.
| Occupational Title | Employment, 2021 | Projected Employment, 2031 | Change, 2021-31 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Percent | Numeric | |||
| Hazardous materials removal workers | 44,700 | 44,600 | 0 | -100 |
More Hazardous Materials Removal Worker Information[About this section] [To Top]
For more information about hazardous materials removal workers in the construction industry, including information on training, visit
Laborers’ International Union of North America
For more information about working in the nuclear industry, visit
For information about training and regulations mandated by federal agencies, visit
Mine Safety and Health Administration
Occupational Safety & Health Administration
U.S. Department of Transportation
A portion of the information on this page is used by permission of the U.S. Department of Labor.