How to become a hazardous materials removal worker
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.
Steps to get there
Most employers expect usually requires a high school diploma or ged, though some occupations may not..Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
What hazardous materials removal workers do
- Prepare hazardous material for removal or storage.
- Comply with prescribed safety procedures or federal laws regulating waste disposal methods.
- Sort specialized hazardous waste at landfills or disposal centers, following proper disposal procedures.
- Remove asbestos or lead from surfaces, using hand or power tools such as scrapers, vacuums, or high-pressure sprayers.
- Build containment areas prior to beginning abatement or decontamination work.
- Record numbers of containers stored at disposal sites, specifying amounts or types of equipment or waste disposed.
Skills that matter most
- Monitoring
- Critical Thinking
- Active Listening
- Reading Comprehension
- Speaking
- Active Learning
- Writing
- Learning Strategies
Is hazardous materials removal worker a good career?
On the numbers, this job is close to the average across occupations. Median pay is 3% below the all-occupation median. Whether it fits you depends on the work itself, the schooling you are willing to do and where you want to live.
Where it pays most
- New York $73,090
- Illinois $61,330
- Alaska $60,320
- District of Columbia $60,240
- North Dakota $60,160
Hazardous Materials Removal Workers salary by state and city
Sources: O*NET® 31.0 (CC BY 4.0, USDOL/ETA) and BLS Employment Projections 2025–35. Pay: BLS OEWS May 2025.