Hazardous materials removal workers
Salary, job outlook, AI risk & career information
Hazardous materials removal workers in the United States earn a median salary of $49,450 per year — about $24 per hour, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Roughly 51K people work in this occupation nationwide, with projected employment growth of +1%.
AI & Automation Risk
The core of this occupation involves physical labor in unpredictable environments, such as scrubbing surfaces, constructing containment areas, and operating heavy machinery. While AI may assist with peripheral tasks like record-keeping, regulatory compliance checks, or analyzing sensor data for radiation levels, the primary work requires a physical human presence to navigate complex, hazardous sites.
Salary by City — What You Actually Take Home
Real purchasing power = salary adjusted for cost of living. Higher = more money in your pocket.
| City | Local Salary | Cost of Living | Real Purchasing Power |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kennewick-Richland, WABEST VALUE | $104,530 | Average (100.1) | $104,447 |
| Pueblo, CO | $79,260 | Below avg (91.8) | $86,376 |
| Amarillo, TX | $77,580 | Below avg (91.8) | $84,491 |
| Knoxville, TN | $75,280 | Below avg (92.6) | $81,323 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $67,010 | Below avg (95.1) | $70,472 |
| Binghamton, NY | $62,090 | Below avg (92.9) | $66,862 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $58,650 | Below avg (89.1) | $65,840 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $74,060 | Above avg (112.6) | $65,794 |
| Duluth, MN-WI | $58,400 | Below avg (88.8) | $65,789 |
| Warner Robins, GA | $61,170 | Below avg (93.8) | $65,221 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $59,140 | Below avg (91.5) | $64,659 |
| Utica-Rome, NY | $59,440 | Below avg (92.7) | $64,136 |
| Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY | $59,700 | Below avg (95.8) | $62,289 |
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $59,220 | Below avg (96.3) | $61,471 |
| Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY | $60,390 | Average (99.6) | $60,653 |