Headline risk
24%
Moderate RiskHazardous materials removal workers
AI displacement pressure score for United States AI Work Index, combining global AI task overlap with local wages, employment trends, and demand signals.
Why This Score
Share of job tasks that overlap with current AI capabilities
Median annual wage
Projected employment change over 10 years
Typical preparation needed for this occupation
Occupation profile
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.
Task evidence
100% weighted task match · 0% effective coverage
Scores combine AI task overlap, human advantages, and local demand. How it works
United States Now
Median Wage
USD 48,490
Employment 2024
51.3K
Projected Change (2024–34)
1.0%
Openings (2024–34)
5.0K
Wage distribution
Demand outlook
Employment of hazardous materials removal workers is projected to show little or no change from 2024 to 2034.
Role Profile
Tasks
- 1. Comply with prescribed safety procedures or federal laws regulating waste disposal methods. AI use: 0%
- 2. Prepare hazardous material for removal or storage. AI use: 0%
- 3. Build containment areas prior to beginning abatement or decontamination work. AI use: 0%
- 4. Load or unload materials into containers or onto trucks, using hoists or forklifts. AI use: 0%
- 5. Remove asbestos or lead from surfaces, using hand or power tools such as scrapers, vacuums, or high-pressure sprayers. AI use: 0%
- 6. Clean contaminated equipment or areas for reuse, using detergents or solvents, sandblasters, filter pumps, or steam cleaners. AI use: 0%
Technologies
Requirements
Work context
Worker profile
Median age 39.0 · 77K employed
Under 25: 14% · 25–54: 68% · 55+: 18%
Related
No direct US role match is available yet for this occupation.
Source coverage
11/11 source families · O*NET 30.2 / OEWS 2024 / ORS 2025 / OOH 2025-08-28 / Projections 2024-34 / CPS 2025 / Anthropic task penetration
Data quality
Employment data available
Narrative & sources
Hazardous materials removal workers identify and dispose of harmful substances such as asbestos, lead, and radioactive waste.
Work environments for hazmat removal workers vary. Completing projects may require night and weekend work. Overtime is common for some workers, particularly for those who respond to emergencies or disasters.
Hazmat removal workers typically need a high school diploma and are trained on the job. Workers may complete training that follows Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards. Some hazmat removal workers need federally or state-mandated training, licensing, or permits, depending on the type of waste remediation.
The median annual wage for hazardous materials removal workers was $48,490 in May 2024.
Employment of hazardous materials removal workers is projected to show little or no change from 2024 to 2034.
Important context
This score measures structural AI displacement pressure, not actual job losses. Local wages and demand data are specific to United States AI Work Index; the underlying AI task overlap analysis is consistent across all countries.