Career-PathGPS
← All education and training
Career

Hazardous Materials Removal Workers

Typical education: High school diplomaHigh pressure

What they 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.

Kinds of work

  • Realistic: Hands-on work with tools, machines, plants or animals, often outdoors.
  • Conventional: Organizing information, following clear procedures and working with data and details.

High pressure: How much pressure workers in this job report: deadlines, conflict, dealing with upset people, the cost of mistakes, responsibility for others' safety, competition and long hours. It varies a lot from one employer to the next. Source: U.S. Department of Labor worker surveys.

Pay, tasks and more

Salary

United States $49,450 Median per year · $23.78/hr Most earn $38,460–$82,410

BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, 2025.

What you might do

  • Apply bioremediation techniques to hazardous wastes to allow naturally occurring bacteria to break down toxic substances.
  • Operate cranes to move or load baskets, casks, or canisters.
  • Load or unload materials into containers or onto trucks, using hoists or forklifts.
  • Sort specialized hazardous waste at landfills or disposal centers, following proper disposal procedures.
  • Identify asbestos, lead, or other hazardous materials to be removed, using monitoring devices.
  • Remove or limit contamination following emergencies involving hazardous substances.

Job outlook

United States
2% more jobs by 2035, slower than average · about 4,300 openings a year

Openings include new jobs and jobs left by workers who retire or change careers. Projections: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. "Bright Outlook": U.S. Department of Labor.

Where they work

  • Remediation and other waste management services61.6%
  • Waste treatment and disposal13.8%
  • Residential building construction3.2%
  • Waste collection2.8%
  • Temporary help services2.6%

Share of all workers in this career. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, National Employment Matrix.

Experience before this job: 1 to 3 months

Some people start through an apprenticeship: paid training on the job, often with classes. Search apprenticeships on Apprenticeship.gov (opens in a new tab) ↗

Career path

How people usually get into this career, from school to their first job and beyond.

Typical education: High school diplomaExperience before this job: 1 to 3 monthsEntry-level

This is an entry-level job. Many people start within a few months of finishing high school, once they complete hazardous materials training and any required certification or confined space permit.

  1. High school diploma

    4 years

    Finish school with strong science and math basics, and show you can work safely and reliably. This is the usual minimum for entry into this work.

  2. Construction Laborer or general labor job

    1-3 months

    Work on a job site or in a cleanup crew to learn safety rules, equipment use, and teamwork. This early experience is what employers often look for before hazmat training.

  3. Hazardous Materials Removal Worker

    1-3 months of training and on-the-job experience

    Complete hazardous materials handling training and any required certification, then remove, pack, and transport materials like asbestos or lead paint under supervision.

Where it can lead

  1. Hazardous Materials Supervisor

    3-5 years of experience first

    You would plan jobs, lead crews, and make sure safety and disposal rules are followed. It usually takes strong safety records and proven crew leadership.

  2. Abatement Supervisor

    3-5 years of experience first

    You would oversee removal projects for asbestos or lead, manage schedules, and train new workers. Moving up typically means showing you can handle both the technical work and the paperwork.

What you can do now

Ideas for high school and college students.

In high school

  • Take chemistry and biologyThese classes teach you how materials react and how hazards affect people, which is the basis of safe hazmat work.
  • Take shop or auto classesHands-on skills with tools, machines, and equipment prepare you for operating trucks or earth-moving gear.
  • Get a summer job on a job site or with a landscaping or cleanup crewThis gives you real experience with safety rules, equipment, and working as part of a team.
  • Join a safety-related club or the FFAClubs like these build teamwork, responsibility, and experience with safety procedures.
  • Ask about first-aid or CPR trainingMany schools and community groups offer it, and it shows employers you take safety seriously.

In college

  • Take chemistry, environmental science, or safety coursesThese classes give you knowledge of hazardous substances and regulations that employers value.
  • Look for a part-time job on a construction, cleanup, or environmental crewCampus or town jobs in maintenance or site work build the hands-on experience this career needs.
  • Ask about OSHA safety training courses offered locallyMany community colleges and training centers offer OSHA-style safety courses that make your résumé stronger.
  • Join an environmental or safety student groupClubs like these connect you with people in the field and show initiative to future employers.
  • Look into hazmat or asbestos training programs at your local community college or trade schoolPrograms like these can prepare you for required certifications and entry-level hiring.

Tips for getting started

  • Ask employers whether they offer paid hazmat or asbestos training. Many companies train new workers on the job, so you can earn certifications without paying for them yourself.
  • Get comfortable with safety gear and rules now. Showing up on time, following procedures, and asking good questions helps you get hired and promoted.
  • Be ready for physical work and possible travel or long shifts. Staying fit and healthy will help you succeed in this job.

Related jobs a step up

Education, experience and related careers: U.S. Department of Labor. The step-by-step path, where it can lead and what you can do now were written by AI as typical examples; many people take other ways.

College majors that lead here

Majors: U.S. Department of Education and BLS (CIP–SOC crosswalk). Earnings and debt: College Scorecard, typical across U.S. colleges.

Related careers