Hazardous Materials Removal Workers
SOC code 47-4041 · O*NET-SOC 47-4041.00 · Little to some preparation needed · Skilled trades
Hazardous Materials Removal Workers pay
U.S. national figures, May 2025 BLS survey · How we got this number
Median pay
$49,450
a year
Hourly
$23.78
per hour
The solid band is the middle 50% of workers; the bar spans the 10th to 90th percentile.
Average pay
$56,430
$27.13 per hour
Middle 50%
$44,720 – $61,530
25th to 75th percentile
Full spread
$38,460 – $82,410
10th to 90th percentile
People employed
51,710
nationwide
National U.S. figure, May 2025. Local pay can be higher or lower.
- 10th percentile
- $38,460
- $18.49/hr
- 25th percentile
- $44,720
- $21.50/hr
- Median percentile
- $49,450
- $23.78/hr
- 75th percentile
- $61,530
- $29.58/hr
- 90th percentile
- $82,410
- $39.62/hr
Job outlook · federal projection 2024–34
+1%
Growing about as fast as average
51,300
jobs in 2024
51,800
projected for 2034
About 500 more jobs
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics employment projections, 2024–34. Projections describe the broader occupation group and are estimates, not guarantees.
What does a hazardous materials removal worker do?
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.
The tasks that matter most day to day
- 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.
- Prepare hazardous material for removal or storage.
- Comply with prescribed safety procedures or federal laws regulating waste disposal methods.
- Identify asbestos, lead, or other hazardous materials to be removed, using monitoring devices.
- Record numbers of containers stored at disposal sites, specifying amounts or types of equipment or waste disposed.
- Clean contaminated equipment or areas for reuse, using detergents or solvents, sandblasters, filter pumps, or steam cleaners.
- Clean mold-contaminated sites by removing damaged porous materials or thoroughly cleaning all contaminated nonporous materials.
How to become a hazardous materials removal worker
Preparation level: zone 2 — Little to some preparation needed
- Education
- Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
- Experience
- 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.
- Training
- Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training.
The federal survey did not capture education levels for this specific occupation, so the preparation-level card above is the best guide to the entry route.
Common questions
How much does a hazardous materials removal worker earn?
The national median is $49,450 a year. The full range runs from $38,460 at the 10th percentile to $82,410 at the 90th — entry pay sits closer to the lower figure, and experience, licensing and specialisation move you up the range.
Can you become a hazardous materials removal worker without a degree?
Yes — this occupation sits in preparation zone 2, meaning the typical entry route is usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not. A four-year degree is not the standard requirement, though licensing or certification may still apply.
Is hazardous materials removal worker in demand?
Federal projections expect employment to grow by about 1% between 2024 and 2034 — growing about as fast as average. Openings also come from people retiring or changing jobs, which the growth figure does not count.
Skills and knowledge you need
Core skills
- Monitoring3.5/5
- Critical Thinking3.3/5
- Active Listening3.1/5
- Reading Comprehension3.0/5
- Speaking3.0/5
Knowledge areas
- Public Safety and Security3.9/5
- Customer and Personal Service3.8/5
- Administration and Management3.6/5
- Education and Training3.5/5
- English Language3.3/5
- Transportation3.2/5
- Chemistry3.2/5
- Law and Government3.2/5
Transferable strengths: Coordination, Operations Monitoring, Operation and Control, Judgment and Decision Making, Time Management.