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Skilled Trades

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.

Median salary (BLS)

$49,450

10th–90th percentile (BLS)

$38k – $82k

Job outlook

+1% (about average)

AI exposure

Early-career check: graduates of the matching programs below typically earn $70,000 ten years after starting college — an early-career figure, vs. the all-experience BLS median above. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard.

Plan a path to Hazardous Materials Removal Workers

Qualification costsStack incomeBest cities/statesSchool ROIJob-posting fitTailored resume

Education

Typical entry: No degree (trade/license)

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How to qualify

EstimateLicense required

Cost to qualify

$100–$2,600

Time to qualify

3.1 yr

Renewal

$50/yr

  1. 1

    Registered apprenticeship (paid)

    Experience

    Earn-while-you-learn training — apprentices are paid during the program; fees are tools/books, not tuition.

    $0–$2,000 · 36 months · varies by state source

  2. 2

    Journeyman exam & state/local license

    License

    Most states and municipalities test and license journeyman-level trades workers.

    $100–$600 · 1 months · varies by state · renews every 2 yr source

Estimated typical U.S. route for "Hazardous Materials Removal Workers" — built from BLS education requirements and College Board 2024–25 average published prices (public, in-state tuition + fees + books). Not yet verified against a specific state's licensing rules — confirm with your state licensing board or program.

Typical progression

  1. Junior Hazardous Materials Removal Workers

    Entry / Junior

    $38,460

    ~2 yrs to advance

  2. Hazardous Materials Removal Workers

    Established

    $49,450

    ~3 yrs to advance

  3. Senior Hazardous Materials Removal Workers

    Senior

    $65,930

Key skills

A typical day

  • •Build containment areas prior to beginning abatement or decontamination work.
  • •Remove asbestos or lead from surfaces, using hand or power tools such as scrapers, vacuums, or high-pressure sprayers.
  • •Identify asbestos, lead, or other hazardous materials to be removed, using monitoring devices.
  • •Prepare hazardous material for removal or storage.
  • •Comply with prescribed safety procedures or federal laws regulating waste disposal methods.

Fields of study

Any field

Top colleges for Skilled Trades

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Reputation-based selection; stats shown are outcome data per school.