Hazardous Materials Removal Workers

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.

Also called: Abatement Worker, Asbestos Abatement Worker, Asbestos Worker, Clandestine Laboratory Responder (Clan Lab Responder), D and D Operator (Decontaminate and Decommissioning Operator), D and D Operator (Decontamination and Decommissioning Operator), Hazmat Technician (Hazardous Materials Technician), Mold Damage Technician (Mold Damage Tech), Product Disposal Coordinator, Waste Handling Technician (Waste Handling Tech), Asbestos Coverer, Asbestos Handler, Asbestos Remover, Asbestos Technician (Asbestos Tech), Decontamination Worker, Hazard Waste Handler, Hazardous Material Specialist, Hazardous Materials Handler, Hazardous Materials Specialist, Hazardous Waste Disposer, Hazardous Waste Remover, Hazardous Waste Specialist, Hazardous Waste Technician (Hazardous Waste Tech), Irradiated Fuel Handler, Junk Removal Specialist, Lead Abatement Worker, Mitigation Technician (Mitigation Tech), Radiological Control Technician (Radiological Control Tech), Waste Disposal Attendant

This is a career information profile, not an advertised job opening.

What the worker does

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.
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.
Operate machines or equipment to remove, package, store, or transport loads of waste materials.
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.

Skills, machines and equipment

Monitoring
Critical Thinking
Active Listening
Reading Comprehension
Speaking
Coordination
Operations Monitoring
Operation and Control
Judgment and Decision Making
Time Management
Active Learning
Social Perceptiveness

Education and training

Most frequently reported education in the O*NET survey: Less than a High School Diploma (45.82% of responses). This is survey context, not a universal hiring requirement. Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.

O*NET Job Zone 2: Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training. 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. This is broad occupational preparation context; confirm the requirements for a specific employer or apprenticeship.

Apprenticeships

Ask an employer or registered apprenticeship sponsor about current programs, eligibility, training and pay. A career profile does not confirm that a program is available.

Salary reference

44,720–61,530 USD per year · United States · 2025. Source: BLS OEWS via O*NET · 25th–75th percentiles · SOC 47-4041.

Occupational-group wage references are not guaranteed pay for this specialty or an employer's offer.

Career advancement

Develop reliable production, safety, quality, and equipment skills; explore additional processes, senior specialist, or team-lead responsibilities relevant to your workplace.
Ask employers which demonstrated skills, education, or credentials are needed for the next role. Related careers are exploration options, not automatic promotions.

How Do I Get This Job?

Review the skills and responsibilities above.
Most frequently reported education in the O*NET survey: Less than a High School Diploma (45.82% of responses). This is survey context, not a universal hiring requirement. Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
O*NET Job Zone 2: Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training. 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. This is broad occupational preparation context; confirm the requirements for a specific employer or apprenticeship.
Compare real openings and confirm requirements directly with the employer.

View available jobs — availability is not guaranteed; sample listings are not real openings.

Related career information

Sources and limitations

O*NET® 31.0 Database, U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, under CC BY 4.0. ShopFloor adapted occupational grouping, selected manufacturing-relevant occupations, and retained seven legacy guide titles. Specialties and alternative titles are grouped under O*NET occupations; these occupations can also occur outside manufacturing. Source: https://www.onetcenter.org/database.html. No wage, vacancy, certification, or video data is implied. ShopFloor advancement suggestions are general editorial guidance, not O*NET findings or guaranteed career progression. BLS wage ranges, when available, are national 25th–75th percentiles for the source occupational grouping, across industries; they are not local, apprentice, entry-level, or specialty-specific offers.

Hazardous Materials Removal Workers