As of June 2026, Hazardous Materials Removal Workers has an AI-exposure score of 45/100 (Moderate exposure) on the AI-Safe Careers index, blending O*NET tasks, the Anthropic Economic Index, the Penn/OpenAI study, and BLS data. This is an estimate of task exposure, not a prediction of job loss.
Hazardous Materials Removal Workers
More exposed than 21% of the roles we track. Median pay ~US$49,450. About 5,000 projected openings a year (BLS 2024–34 — growth plus replacement).
Pay & demand figures are US medians (BLS, in USD) — your local figures will differ. Your exposure score applies broadly.
How you compare to similar Construction roles
Your tasks, by AI exposure
No automatable tasks identified for this role — its real, individually-assessed tasks consistently read as durable (80%).
- Sort specialized hazardous waste at landfills or disposal centers, following proper disposal procedures.
- Record numbers of containers stored at disposal sites, specifying amounts or types of equipment or waste disposed.
- Apply bioremediation techniques to hazardous wastes to allow naturally occurring bacteria to break down toxic substances.
- Operate cranes to move or load baskets, casks, or canisters.
- Comply with prescribed safety procedures or federal laws regulating waste disposal methods.
- Remove or limit contamination following emergencies involving hazardous substances.
- Operate machines or equipment to remove, package, store, or transport loads of waste materials.
- Prepare hazardous material for removal or storage.
- Identify or separate waste products or materials for recycling or reuse.
- Upload baskets of irradiated elements onto machines that insert fuel elements into canisters and secure lids.
- Organize or track the locations of hazardous items in landfills.
- Load or unload materials into containers or onto trucks, using hoists or forklifts.
- 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.
- Identify asbestos, lead, or other hazardous materials to be removed, using monitoring devices.
- Mix or pour concrete into forms to encase waste material for disposal.
- Build containment areas prior to beginning abatement or decontamination work.
- Process e-waste, such as computer components containing lead or mercury.
- Drive trucks or other heavy equipment to convey contaminated waste to designated sea or ground locations.
- Remove asbestos or lead from surfaces, using hand or power tools such as scrapers, vacuums, or high-pressure sprayers.
Safer adjacent roles
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Workers with AI skills earn a roughly 62% wage premium — adapting pays. — PwC Global AI Jobs Barometer, 2026
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