Construction & Extraction
Hazardous Materials Removal Workers
Also called: Abatement Worker, Asbestos Abatement Worker, Asbestos Worker, Clandestine Laboratory Responder (Clan Lab Responder)
US median pay
$49,450
per year, 2025
Job growth 2025–35
+1.5%
about average or slower
Openings a year (US)
4,300
52,700 employed
Typical entry education
High school diploma or equivalent
Preparation 2/5 · Some preparation
What this job is
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.
What they do 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.
- 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 and knowledge that matter most
Skills
- Time Management3.0/5
- Operations Monitoring3.0/5
- Operation and Control3.0/5
- Judgment and Decision Making3.0/5
- Coordination3.0/5
- Social Perceptiveness2.9/5
- Complex Problem Solving2.9/5
- Quality Control Analysis2.8/5
Knowledge
- 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
Importance rated by people working in the job (1 = not important, 5 = extremely important).
Education and preparation
Preparation level 2 of 5 — Some preparation. Usually a high school diploma; some previous work experience or training helps.
Typical entry education (BLS): High school diploma or equivalent.
Who this job suits
Mostly Realistic
Hands-on work with tools, machines, plants or animals
Conventional
Organising data, details and procedures
Based on the Holland (RIASEC) interest profile for this occupation.