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Environmental Services
Clean Harbors, Veolia, WM
Hazardous Materials Removal Workers
Hazardous materials removal workers strip out asbestos, lead, mold, and other contamination so buildings and equipment can be used again safely. The work mixes cleanup, demolition, and strict safety control: crews set up sealed work zones, test for hazards, and package waste for legal disposal. The tradeoff is clear—there is steady hands-on work, but it is physically demanding, tightly regulated, and can be dangerous if procedures slip.
Also known as Abatement TechnicianAsbestos Abatement WorkerHazmat TechnicianMold Remediation TechnicianRemediation Technician
Median Salary
$48,490
Mean $55,740
U.S. Workforce
~51K
5K openings per year
10-Year Growth
+1%
51.3K to 51.8K
Entry Education
High school diploma or equivalent
+ None experience
What This Role Looks Like in Practice
Hazardous Materials Removal Workers sits in the Trades category. In practical terms, this role combines day-to-day execution, cross-team coordination, and consistent decision-making under real business constraints.
U.S. employment is currently about ~51K workers, with a median annual pay of $48,490 and roughly 5K openings each year. Based on BLS projections, total employment is expected to grow from 51.3 K in 2024 to 51.8K in 2034.
Most hiring paths start with High school diploma or equivalent, and employers typically expect none of related experience. Many careers in this track begin around Remediation Helper and can progress toward Project Manager. High-value skills usually include Air Monitoring Devices & Sampling Pumps, Site Risk Assessment & Critical Thinking, and Forklifts, Hoists & Material-Handling Equipment, paired with soft skills such as Attention to detail, Team communication, and Safety awareness.
Core Responsibilities
- Test buildings and materials to find asbestos, lead, mold, or other contamination before cleanup starts.
- Set up plastic barriers, signs, and sealed work areas so the hazard stays contained.
- Take out damaged materials, bag or seal the waste, and load it for approved transport.
- Scrub contaminated rooms, tools, and surfaces so they can be safely reused.
Keep exploring: more Trades careers or browse all job titles.
A Day in the Life
01 Test buildings and materials to find asbestos, lead, mold, or other contamination before cleanup starts.
02 Set up plastic barriers, signs, and sealed work areas so the hazard stays contained.
03 Take out damaged materials, bag or seal the waste, and load it for approved transport.
04 Scrub contaminated rooms, tools, and surfaces so they can be safely reused.
05 Run cleanup equipment such as vacuums, pumps, forklifts, and lifting gear.
06 Follow safety rules, wear protective gear, and document disposal so the site meets legal requirements.
Industries That Hire
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Construction & Demolition
Fluor, Turner Construction, Skanska
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Disaster Restoration
BELFOR, SERVPRO, Paul Davis
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Government & Public Sector
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, FEMA, EPA
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Manufacturing & Industrial Sites
Dow, 3M, BASF
Pros and Cons
Advantages
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You can enter the field without a college degree; the BLS says the typical entry requirement is a high school diploma or equivalent, and workers receive moderate on-the-job training instead of years of school.
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There are about 5.0 thousand annual openings, so even with only 1.0% projected growth, people still leave room for new hires and replacements.
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The work has clear, visible results: you remove a real hazard and make a home, school, or job site safe to use again.
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Specialized skills like asbestos handling, lead abatement, mold cleanup, and equipment operation can make you more valuable over time.
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The job is hands-on and outdoors or on-site, which appeals to people who prefer physical work over desk work.
Challenges
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The pay is not especially high for the level of risk: the median wage is $48,490 and the mean is $55,740.
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The work is physically demanding and often dirty, with heavy lifting, crawling into tight spaces, and long periods in protective gear.
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Exposure is a constant concern because crews may handle asbestos, lead, mold, or contaminated waste, so one mistake can create a health or contamination problem.
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Growth is basically flat at 1.0% through 2034, which is a structural limit on how much the occupation expands on its own.
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Career progression can be narrow unless you move into supervision, inspection, or industrial hygiene, because much of the work stays labor-intensive and site-based.
Career Progression
Remediation Helper
0-2 years
$32K-$39K
Workers at this level learn site rules, help set up containment, and move materials while closely following instructions.
Hazardous Materials Removal Worker
2-5 years
$40K-$55K
This is the core field role, where workers remove contamination, operate cleanup equipment, and handle waste safely; the salary band includes the $48,490 median.
Lead Abatement Technician THIS ROLE
5-8 years
$56K-$68K
Experienced workers take on more complex jobs, oversee cleanup steps, and make sure crews stay within safety rules.
Site Supervisor
8-12 years
$69K-$84K
Supervisors coordinate crews, check compliance, and solve problems when a site is more hazardous than expected.
Project Manager
12+ years
$85K-$105K
At the top end, the work shifts toward planning, bidding, compliance oversight, and managing multiple remediation jobs.
Education Paths
High school diploma or equivalent
This is the BLS typical entry point, and 24.89% of workers in this occupation have this level of education.
Less than a high school diploma
A surprisingly common route in this field, with 26.03% of workers entering with less than a high school diploma and learning the job through training.
Post-secondary certificate in asbestos abatement, hazmat, or environmental remediation
About 19.71% of workers have a post-secondary certificate, which can make it easier to start with stronger safety and cleanup training.
OSHA, HAZWOPER, or trade certification
This is a practical alternative for people who build skills through short courses and certifications, especially because employers often want proof of safety training before sending crews onto a site.
Key Skills
Technical
Air Monitoring Devices & Sampling Pumps 66%
Site Risk Assessment & Critical Thinking 63%
Forklifts, Hoists & Material-Handling Equipment 60%
Containment Setups, HEPA Vacuums & Negative-Air Machines 56%
Decontamination Procedures & Surface Cleaning Tools 53%
Hazardous Waste Packaging, Labeling & Transport Compliance 50%
Soft Skills
Attention to detailTeam communicationSafety awarenessPhysical staminaProblem-solvingFollowing procedures Job Outlook and Trends
+1%
Projected growth (2024-2034)
5K
Annual job openings
Employment is projected to rise from 51.3K to 51.8 K over the next decade, representing 1% growth. Around 5 K openings per year include both newly created roles and replacement hiring from turnover.
Remote availability is currently Rare. Demand remains strongest where employers need practical domain knowledge plus modern workflow and data skills.