Hazardous Materials Removal Worker Salary
Hazardous Materials Removal Workers earn a median $49,450 a year nationally. Construction and Extraction Occupations
What hazardous materials removal workers 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.
- Typical education
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- Moderate-term on-the-job training
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +1.5% (slower than average)
- Openings per year
- 4,300
Employment of hazardous materials removal workers is projected to grow 1.5% from 2025 to 2035, slower than the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 4,300 openings are expected each year, on average, including jobs left by workers who retire or switch careers.
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Hazardous Materials Removal Worker take-home pay calculator
Starts at the national median. Pick your state to see your real paycheck.
- Federal income tax$3,754
- Social Security (6.2%)$3,066
- Medicare (1.45%)$717
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$41,913
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 0.00% state
Pay by experience
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home (no state tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $38,460 | $18.49 | $33,083 |
| 25th percentile | $44,720 | $21.50 | $38,113 |
| Median (50th) | $49,450 | $23.77 | $41,913 |
| 75th percentile | $61,530 | $29.58 | $51,619 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $82,410 | $39.62 | $66,805 |
Best cities for hazardous materials removal workers (after tax & cost of living)
| # | Metro area | Median | Take-home | Real value* | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York, NY | $74,060 | $57,529 | $51,108 | 3,770 |
| 2 | Los Angeles, CA | $51,160 | $41,503 | $36,545 | 2,470 |
*Take-home pay in U.S.-average dollars (BEA Regional Price Parities).
Highest-paying cities
- New York, NY — $74,060
- Los Angeles, CA — $51,160
Hazardous Materials Removal Worker salary by state
| State | Median | 1-yr change | Take-home | Range | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York | $73,090 | +16.7% | $56,899 | $47,600 – $99,320 | 4,090 |
| Illinois | $61,330 | +10.2% | $48,568 | $43,990 – $98,970 | 1,980 |
| Alaska | $60,320 | +12.0% | $50,647 | $46,130 – $121,770 | 140 |
| District of Columbia | $60,240 | +3.0% | $48,114 | $53,320 – $85,160 | 50 |
| North Dakota | $60,160 | +10.7% | $50,519 | $20,930 – $70,130 | 170 |
| Washington | $60,160 | +0.5% | $50,519 | $45,460 – $104,530 | 3,250 |
| Tennessee | $60,090 | −7.7% | $50,462 | $39,460 – $96,100 | 570 |
| Colorado | $59,920 | +1.9% | $48,398 | $44,800 – $71,870 | 1,400 |
| Missouri | $59,120 | +26.2% | $47,842 | $37,280 – $68,330 | 370 |
| Minnesota | $59,100 | −7.0% | $47,171 | $44,260 – $92,150 | 730 |
| Hawaii | $58,440 | +4.2% | $46,225 | $44,420 – $77,270 | 340 |
| California | $56,120 | +2.5% | $45,126 | $41,660 – $85,470 | 7,340 |
| New Jersey | $55,900 | −0.2% | $45,555 | $43,750 – $107,570 | 2,250 |
| New Hampshire | $55,310 | −8.6% | $46,622 | $47,840 – $97,200 | 140 |
| Montana | $54,540 | +4.3% | $44,196 | $46,180 – $62,930 | 250 |
| New Mexico | $53,440 | +2.4% | $43,773 | $37,010 – $78,000 | 680 |
| South Dakota | $51,420 | +5.2% | $43,496 | $47,400 – $58,030 | 190 |
| Arizona | $50,530 | +6.7% | $41,726 | $34,410 – $60,650 | 800 |
| Iowa | $49,870 | −0.5% | $41,007 | $38,490 – $61,150 | 270 |
| Oregon | $49,720 | +2.1% | $38,609 | $41,660 – $64,450 | 1,130 |
| Idaho | $49,710 | −18.8% | $40,596 | $42,900 – $103,850 | 600 |
| Massachusetts | $49,620 | +1.0% | $39,789 | $46,220 – $65,870 | 2,770 |
| Utah | $49,240 | +7.7% | $40,495 | $36,870 – $77,120 | 530 |
| South Carolina | $49,170 | +4.3% | $39,895 | $37,840 – $102,770 | 870 |
| Georgia | $48,960 | +10.5% | $39,601 | $35,640 – $61,170 | 460 |
| Maryland | $48,640 | +3.4% | $39,315 | $45,590 – $75,180 | 660 |
| Wyoming | $48,570 | — | $41,206 | $46,110 – $58,240 | 30 |
| Nebraska | $48,540 | +0.7% | $39,853 | $37,770 – $59,110 | 210 |
| Pennsylvania | $47,860 | −2.0% | $39,166 | $37,570 – $72,800 | 1,590 |
| Wisconsin | $47,750 | +6.1% | $39,227 | $38,890 – $77,530 | 590 |
| Kentucky | $47,640 | +1.2% | $38,909 | $40,160 – $63,140 | 460 |
| Nevada | $47,520 | +0.1% | $40,362 | $37,870 – $62,500 | 400 |
| Maine | $47,280 | +2.0% | $38,160 | $39,920 – $85,340 | 190 |
| Connecticut | $47,090 | +5.0% | $38,823 | $39,060 – $64,150 | 750 |
| Vermont | $46,780 | −4.5% | $38,634 | $44,860 – $52,290 | 70 |
| Indiana | $46,680 | −4.8% | $38,340 | $38,280 – $62,860 | 990 |
| Rhode Island | $46,670 | −7.4% | $38,546 | $40,400 – $79,710 | 330 |
| Ohio | $46,620 | −5.9% | $39,139 | $39,090 – $66,620 | 830 |
| West Virginia | $46,390 | +5.6% | $38,094 | $37,530 – $76,650 | 130 |
| Michigan | $46,380 | −2.3% | $37,726 | $36,610 – $68,390 | 1,610 |
| Kansas | $45,530 | +11.9% | $37,022 | $36,100 – $56,330 | 480 |
| Virginia | $45,320 | −1.6% | $36,803 | $37,140 – $60,440 | 930 |
| Texas | $44,390 | −1.8% | $37,847 | $37,920 – $60,460 | 4,450 |
| Oklahoma | $44,300 | +10.8% | $36,327 | $37,590 – $50,630 | 650 |
| Delaware | $44,250 | +13.1% | $35,956 | $32,000 – $63,120 | — |
| North Carolina | $43,180 | +3.9% | $35,661 | $37,330 – $58,720 | 1,250 |
| Florida | $42,350 | +10.5% | $36,208 | $34,960 – $59,290 | 1,780 |
| Mississippi | $39,440 | +1.8% | $33,024 | $33,600 – $48,030 | 250 |
| Alabama | $38,610 | −0.5% | $31,538 | $34,450 – $59,160 | 350 |
| Louisiana | $38,000 | +1.9% | $31,959 | $34,440 – $50,120 | 880 |
| Arkansas | $36,630 | −4.6% | $30,396 | $34,800 – $108,620 | 440 |
Related jobs
| Job | Median salary | Education | Growth 2025–35 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Septic Tank Servicer and Sewer Pipe Cleaner | $49,880 | High school diploma or equivalent | +7.8% |
| Miscellaneous Construction and Related Worker | $49,910 | High school diploma or equivalent | +3.9% |
| Highway Maintenance Worker | $50,260 | High school diploma or equivalent | +3.4% |
| Fence Erector | $47,980 | No formal educational credential | +5.6% |
| Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operator | $70,070 | High school diploma or equivalent | +1.5% |
| Construction and Building Inspector | $74,690 | High school diploma or equivalent | 0.0% |
| Elevator and Escalator Installer and Repairer | $109,910 | High school diploma or equivalent | +5.7% |
| Painters, Construction and Maintenance | $49,400 | No formal educational credential | +3.0% |
| Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and Wall | $49,120 | No formal educational credential | +2.4% |
| Pipelayer | $49,000 | No formal educational credential | -3.1% |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a hazardous materials removal worker make?
The national median salary for hazardous materials removal workers is $49,450 a year ($23.77 an hour). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $38,460 and the top 10% earn over $82,410. Source: BLS, May 2025.
Which state pays hazardous materials removal workers the most?
New York has the highest median pay at $73,090. After taxes and local prices, New York, NY offers the best real take-home pay of any metro area.
How many hazardous materials removal workers are there in the U.S.?
About 51,710 people work as hazardous materials removal workers nationwide.