Who Earns What

How much does a hazmat worker make?

US Hazardous Materials Removal Workers
$49,450

a year · about $24 an hour

A typical hazmat worker in the United States makes $49,450 a year, about $24 an hour, about the same as a typical US worker (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).

What do they do?

At the site, workers identify hazards and put on protective equipment before starting. Depending on the job, they may measure radiation, remove or clean hazardous materials, and package them for transport or storage.

Did you know? Some U.S. hazmat workers measure radiation, use high-pressure cleaning equipment, and package radioactive materials for removal or storage.

Is that a lot?

Compared with jobs you know
This job$49,450
Typical worker$50,980
Elementary teacher$63,970
Doctor$244,180
Cashier$32,880

If 100 people had this job

Most earn between $38,460 and $82,410
49 of 100
not many

How do you become one?

In the U.S., usually finish high school, then learn on the job and take safety training such as HAZWOPER if required. Some states require a license: workers may need to be 18, complete approved training, pass a written exam, and take yearly classes.

School needed: High school plus some training

Good for people who like building and doing and keeping things organized

Why does pay differ?

In the United States, experience and useful safety training or licenses can affect pay. It also varies by employer and location, the hazards handled, and whether workers take night, weekend, or emergency overtime shifts.

Where does it pay most?

Highest in New York ($73,090), lowest in Louisiana ($38,000).

See every state
Whole US$49,450
New York$73,090
Illinois$61,330
Washington$60,160
Tennessee$60,090
Colorado$59,920
North Carolina$43,180
Florida$42,350
Louisiana$38,000

Top 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.

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Who earns more?
Data table and sources
Hazmat worker pay in the United States (May 2025, median and spread) — Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025
Lower earner (10th from bottom)Typical person (median)Higher earner (10th from top)People in this job
$38,460$49,450$82,410about 52,000
States where hazmat workers earn the most (median, May 2025)
StateTypical person (median)People in this job
New York$73,090about 4,000
Illinois$61,330about 2,000
Washington$60,160about 3,000
Tennessee$60,090about 570
Colorado$59,920about 1,000

Official definition: 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.

Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 (bls.gov); descriptions and related jobs from O*NET 31.0. Figures as of May 2025, full-time yearly pay (hourly × 2,080 hours). bls.gov/oes · O*NET OnLine

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Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY