What it pays
Government survey numbers — not estimates, not ads.
Half of all Hazardous Materials Removal Workers in the U.S. earn more than $49,450 a year — the middle 80% land between $38,460 and $82,410. About 51,710 people in the U.S. do this work. Figures are for the U.S. occupation group “Hazardous Materials Removal Workers”. (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics survey, published 2025.) In India, Craft and related trades workers earn about ₹16,825 a month on average — around ₹2.0 lakh a year (government PLFS survey via ILOSTAT, occupation-family figure).
$49,450typical pay / year
51,710people in this work
$82,410+top 10% earn
₹2.0 lakha year in India (family avg)
Think you get this job?Six quick questions on how it really works — with a hint and the reason behind every answer.
Test yourself →The work, task by task
These are the real jobs-to-be-done, not a wish list. Each task shows where we found it, and the prompt underneath is written for that exact task.
Protecting3
Remove asbestos, lead, or radioactive waste
+Strip and bag all asbestos insulation from the northwest boiler room tonight, decontaminate surfaces with…
Remove asbestos, lead, or radioactive waste
+Strip and bag all asbestos insulation from the northwest boiler room tonight, decontaminate surfaces with HEPA vacuuming and approved chemical wipe, log chain-of-custody for waste, and move sealed drums to the secured hazardous waste yard for licensed pickup tomorrow morning.
The tools that do the workComputerized maintenance management system software CMMSInventory managementESCOjob descriptionsO*NET
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Prevent contamination of other areas
+Establish a two-stage decontamination corridor at the east stairwell, seal off adjacent corridors with…
Prevent contamination of other areas
+Establish a two-stage decontamination corridor at the east stairwell, seal off adjacent corridors with impermeable barriers, set up negative pressure, post contamination zone signage, and supervise all personnel movement to prevent spread during the remediation shift.
The tools that do the workComputerized maintenance management system software CMMSESCOjob descriptionsO*NET
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Follow safety procedures during cleanup
+Follow the site cleanup checklist for the chemical spill: don full respiratory and suit protection, monitor…
Follow safety procedures during cleanup
+Follow the site cleanup checklist for the chemical spill: don full respiratory and suit protection, monitor air with the PID and dosimeter every 15 minutes, perform wet wiping from clean to dirty, and log all measurements and PPE changeovers in the incident file.
The tools that do the workComputerized maintenance management system software CMMSjob descriptionsO*NET
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Analysing1
Identify hazardous materials for removal
+Sample suspect materials from the marked storage room: collect bulk, swab, and wipe samples, label each with…
Identify hazardous materials for removal
+Sample suspect materials from the marked storage room: collect bulk, swab, and wipe samples, label each with location and time, perform field screening for asbestos and lead, and send three chain-of-custody samples to the accredited lab by courier tomorrow morning.
The tools that do the workInventory managementComputerized maintenance management system software CMMSjob descriptionsO*NET
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The daily work16
Operate cranes to move or load baskets, casks, or canisters.
+Operate the crane to lift and place the loaded canister into the designated containment bay at Dock 3, verify…
Operate cranes to move or load baskets, casks, or canisters.
+Operate the crane to lift and place the loaded canister into the designated containment bay at Dock 3, verify shackles and load tag match the lift plan, confirm exclusion zone is clear, and report completion to shift supervisor by 18:00.
The tools that do the workComputerized maintenance management system software CMMSO*NET
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Organize or track the locations of hazardous items in landfills.
+Survey trench B7 and update the landfill map with exact GPS locations and hazard codes for discovered…
Organize or track the locations of hazardous items in landfills.
+Survey trench B7 and update the landfill map with exact GPS locations and hazard codes for discovered chemical drums, attach photos and chain-of-custody notes, flag items needing excavation, and notify the site manager before end of shift.
The tools that do the workInventory managementO*NET
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Process e-waste, such as computer components containing lead or mercury.
+Disassemble collected e-waste at Station 2, segregate circuit boards and CRT glass into designated hazardous…
Process e-waste, such as computer components containing lead or mercury.
+Disassemble collected e-waste at Station 2, segregate circuit boards and CRT glass into designated hazardous bins, document serials and weight for each bin, decontaminate workstation surfaces, and submit the disposal manifest to the environmental lead.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft ExcelO*NET
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Mix or pour concrete into forms to encase waste material for disposal.
+Mix the specified concrete batch, pour it into the prepared waste form around the contaminated drum in Cell…
Mix or pour concrete into forms to encase waste material for disposal.
+Mix the specified concrete batch, pour it into the prepared waste form around the contaminated drum in Cell A, monitor slump and fill level to eliminate voids, allow initial set under cover, and record batch details and curing start time.
The tools that do the workComputerized maintenance management system software CMMSO*NET
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Apply bioremediation techniques to hazardous wastes to allow naturally occurring bacteria to break down toxic substances.
+Apply the bioaugmentation slurry to the contaminated soil plot 4C at dawn, inoculate per the treatment…
Apply bioremediation techniques to hazardous wastes to allow naturally occurring bacteria to break down toxic substances.
+Apply the bioaugmentation slurry to the contaminated soil plot 4C at dawn, inoculate per the treatment schedule, take baseline and weekly soil samples, log temperature and moisture readings, and send weekly progress notes to the remediation scientist.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft WordO*NET
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Transport hazardous materials safely
+Load the secured drums onto the transport trailer, verify placards and shipping papers match manifest,…
Transport hazardous materials safely
+Load the secured drums onto the transport trailer, verify placards and shipping papers match manifest, confirm driver hazmat endorsement, secure trailer doors and restraints, then notify dispatch and safety officer before departure at 07:30.
The tools that do the workSAPjob descriptions
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Use monitoring devices to identify hazardous substances
+Survey the work area with the PID and gas detectors to identify and log volatile chemicals, combustible…
Use monitoring devices to identify hazardous substances
+Survey the work area with the PID and gas detectors to identify and log volatile chemicals, combustible gases, and oxygen levels, flagging anything above action limits and notify site supervisor immediately if readings rise.
The tools that do the workComputerized maintenance management system software CMMSjob descriptions
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Clean contaminated tools and equipment
+Decon and scrub all hand tools, power-tool housings, and respirator components using approved detergent and…
Clean contaminated tools and equipment
+Decon and scrub all hand tools, power-tool housings, and respirator components using approved detergent and wipe technique, document serial numbers cleaned, bag and label items with the decon date, and return to secured tool cache.
The tools that do the workInventory managementjob descriptions
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Keep records of cleanup activities
+Complete the cleanup log for today’s shift listing each task, start and end times, team member initials,…
Keep records of cleanup activities
+Complete the cleanup log for today’s shift listing each task, start and end times, team member initials, contaminants removed, PPE used, waste manifests generated, and upload photos of work areas to the project file before leaving site.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft Wordjob descriptions
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Investigate the intensity of the asbestos contamination
+Collect bulk and air samples from designated rooms, run clearance samples against the baseline to measure…
Investigate the intensity of the asbestos contamination
+Collect bulk and air samples from designated rooms, run clearance samples against the baseline to measure asbestos fiber counts, record lab chain-of-custody and preliminary intensity readings, and notify the industrial hygienist of any exceedances.
The tools that do the workSAPESCO
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Prepare the structure for removal
+Seal off the affected wing with plastic sheeting, establish negative pressure, remove fixtures that impede…
Prepare the structure for removal
+Seal off the affected wing with plastic sheeting, establish negative pressure, remove fixtures that impede access, post required warning signs, and verify containment integrity with the supervisor before abatement begins.
The tools that do the workComputerized maintenance management system software CMMSESCO
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Remove contaminants
+Perform the prescribed removal method on contaminated surfaces and materials using HEPA vacuuming, wet…
Remove contaminants
+Perform the prescribed removal method on contaminated surfaces and materials using HEPA vacuuming, wet wiping, and controlled demolition as specified, collect and tag hazardous waste containers, and confirm final wipe samples are below clearance limits.
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Disinfect surfaces
+Disinfect the break room and locker-room high-touch surfaces, using EPA-registered disinfectant on metal,…
Disinfect surfaces
+Disinfect the break room and locker-room high-touch surfaces, using EPA-registered disinfectant on metal, plastic, and painted surfaces, wait full contact time, document lot numbers and contact times, and mark the area cleared for staff use at 08:00 tomorrow.
The tools that do the workComputerized maintenance management system software CMMSESCOsee the evidence ↗
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Investigate contamination
+Investigate the chemical spill in Bay 4: secure the perimeter, map contamination spread with sequential…
Investigate contamination
+Investigate the chemical spill in Bay 4: secure the perimeter, map contamination spread with sequential surface swabs, photograph findings, chain-of-custody samples to lab, and produce a written incident timeline for the safety manager by end of shift.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft WordComputerized maintenance management system software CMMSESCOsee the evidence ↗
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Contamination exposure regulations
+Compile current exposure limits and required PPE for the site contaminants, compare them to our monitoring…
Contamination exposure regulations
+Compile current exposure limits and required PPE for the site contaminants, compare them to our monitoring results, flag any exceedances, and deliver a one-page compliance brief with recommended controls to the operations director before the safety review on Friday.
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Avoid contamination
+Put control measures in place for the maintenance team entering Tank C: establish clean routes, issue…
Avoid contamination
+Put control measures in place for the maintenance team entering Tank C: establish clean routes, issue disposable coveralls and respirators per the hazard assessment, set decon station at the exit, and log each worker's entry and exit times at shift change.
The tools that do the workComputerized maintenance management system software CMMSESCOsee the evidence ↗
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Says who?
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The logs, files & records this job keeps
Shared with other careers — the same record means something different in each.
Related careers
Same family of work — each with its own tasks and prompts.
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Built on public evidence: O*NET®, ESCO, Wikipedia, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, ILOSTAT. All sources & licenses
Built on public evidence: O*NET®, ESCO, Wikipedia, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, ILOSTAT. All sources & licenses