Hazardous Materials Removal Workers
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.
AI Impact Summary
Hazardous Materials Removal Workers faces low AI displacement risk with a score of 22/100. This occupation has higher AI displacement risk than 11% of all analyzed occupations. Of 21 analyzed tasks, 3 are highly automatable, particularly routine cognitive tasks. Strong protective factors — including social intelligence, creativity, or regulatory barriers — significantly reduce effective risk.
Skill Impact Analysis
AI-Vulnerable Skills (6)
High reliance on Information Ordering is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
High reliance on Reading Comprehension is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
Mathematics is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Memorization is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Mathematics is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Programming is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
AI-Resistant Skills (11)
Adaptability/Flexibility is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Leadership is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Manual Dexterity is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Social Perceptiveness is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Complex Problem Solving is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Coordination is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Service Orientation is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Instructing is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
AI-Augmented Skills (7)
Recommended Courses
Courses matched to Hazardous Materials Removal Workers skill gaps, ranked by relevance to your displacement risk profile.
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Upskill to Reduce Risk
Courses addressing your most AI-vulnerable skills
SQL Fundamentals Skill Track
by DataCamp
Estimated Impact
AI-Augmentation Tools
Learn to work alongside AI and boost your productivity
Cybersecurity Fundamentals Path
by Pluralsight
Estimated Impact
Strengthen Your Edge
Double down on skills AI can't replicate
Leading People and Teams Specialization
by University of Michigan
Estimated Impact
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Risk reduction and salary impact are estimates based on skill gap analysis, course relevance, and labor market data. Actual results vary by individual circumstance.
Education & Training
Percentage of workers at each education and training level
Education Level
Prior Experience Needed
Work experience required to enter this job
Training Provided After Hiring
How long it typically takes to learn on the job
How AI Impacts Each Task
21 tasks analyzed
Build containment areas prior to beginning abatement or decontamination work.
Remove asbestos or lead from surfaces, using hand or power tools such as scrapers, vacuums, or high-pressure sprayers.
Identify asbestos, lead, or other hazardous materials to be removed, using monitoring devices.
Prepare hazardous material for removal or storage.
Record numbers of containers stored at disposal sites, specifying amounts or types of equipment or waste disposed.
Comply with prescribed safety procedures or federal laws regulating waste disposal methods.
Sort specialized hazardous waste at landfills or disposal centers, following proper disposal procedures.
Operate cranes to move or load baskets, casks, or canisters.
Drive trucks or other heavy equipment to convey contaminated waste to designated sea or ground locations.
Load or unload materials into containers or onto trucks, using hoists or forklifts.
Identify or separate waste products or materials for recycling or reuse.
Clean contaminated equipment or areas for re-use, using detergents or solvents, sandblasters, filter pumps, or steam cleaners.
Remove or limit contamination following emergencies involving hazardous substances.
Clean mold-contaminated sites by removing damaged porous materials or thoroughly cleaning all contaminated nonporous materials.
Operate machines or equipment to remove, package, store, or transport loads of waste materials.
Upload baskets of irradiated elements onto machines that insert fuel elements into canisters and secure lids.
Process e-waste, such as computer components containing lead or mercury.
Organize or track the locations of hazardous items in landfills.
Mix or pour concrete into forms to encase waste material for disposal.
Apply bioremediation techniques to hazardous wastes to allow naturally occurring bacteria to break down toxic substances.
Package, store, or move irradiated fuel elements in the underwater storage basins of nuclear reactor plants, using machines or equipment.
| Task | AI Capability | Risk | Time % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Build containment areas prior to beginning abatement or decontamination work. | 0Estimated | 9.0% | 8% | |
| Remove asbestos or lead from surfaces, using hand or power tools such as scrapers, vacuums, or high-pressure sprayers. | 0Estimated | 9.0% | 12% | |
| Identify asbestos, lead, or other hazardous materials to be removed, using monitoring devices. | 30Estimated | 39.0% | 5% | |
| Prepare hazardous material for removal or storage. | 10Estimated | 37.0% | 8% | |
| Record numbers of containers stored at disposal sites, specifying amounts or types of equipment or waste disposed. | 92Estimated | 86.0% | 3% | |
| Comply with prescribed safety procedures or federal laws regulating waste disposal methods. | 70Estimated | 77.2% | 5% | |
| Sort specialized hazardous waste at landfills or disposal centers, following proper disposal procedures. | 20Estimated | 41.0% | 4% | |
| Operate cranes to move or load baskets, casks, or canisters. | 30Estimated | 45.0% | 3% | |
| Drive trucks or other heavy equipment to convey contaminated waste to designated sea or ground locations. | 40Estimated | 49.0% | 4% | |
| Load or unload materials into containers or onto trucks, using hoists or forklifts. | 35Estimated | 47.0% | 5% | |
| Identify or separate waste products or materials for recycling or reuse. | 48.32Observed | 52.3% | 3% | |
| Clean contaminated equipment or areas for re-use, using detergents or solvents, sandblasters, filter pumps, or steam cleaners. | 5Estimated | 11.0% | 8% | |
| Remove or limit contamination following emergencies involving hazardous substances. | 0Estimated | 9.0% | 6% | |
| Clean mold-contaminated sites by removing damaged porous materials or thoroughly cleaning all contaminated nonporous materials. | 0Estimated | 9.0% | 6% | |
| Operate machines or equipment to remove, package, store, or transport loads of waste materials. | 30Estimated | 45.0% | 4% | |
| Upload baskets of irradiated elements onto machines that insert fuel elements into canisters and secure lids. | 20Estimated | 41.0% | 2% | |
| Process e-waste, such as computer components containing lead or mercury. | 30Estimated | 45.0% | 3% | |
| Organize or track the locations of hazardous items in landfills. | 90Estimated | 85.2% | 3% | |
| Mix or pour concrete into forms to encase waste material for disposal. | 20Estimated | 41.0% | 3% | |
| Apply bioremediation techniques to hazardous wastes to allow naturally occurring bacteria to break down toxic substances. | 40Estimated | 43.0% | 3% | |
| Package, store, or move irradiated fuel elements in the underwater storage basins of nuclear reactor plants, using machines or equipment. | 15Estimated | 39.0% | 2% |
Protective Factors
Total protective discount: 30.5%
Essential Soft Skills
Traits that are hard for AI to replicate
Wage & Employment (2024)
Median Wage
$48,490
per year
Mean Wage
$55,740
per year
Employment
51K
workers
Wage Range
$37,330 - $82,480
10th - 90th pct
Wage Distribution
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Recommendations
Skills to Develop
These skills are at risk from AI automation. Hazardous Materials Removal Workers professionals should diversify beyond them.
- Information Ordering
High reliance on Information Ordering is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
- Reading Comprehension
High reliance on Reading Comprehension is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
- Mathematics
Mathematics is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
- Memorization
Memorization is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
- Mathematics
Mathematics is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Skills to Leverage
These human-centric skills remain difficult for AI to replicate. Double down here.
- Adaptability/Flexibility
Adaptability/Flexibility is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- Leadership
Leadership is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- Manual Dexterity
Manual Dexterity is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- Social Perceptiveness
Social Perceptiveness is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- Complex Problem Solving
Complex Problem Solving is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Tools to Adopt
AI can amplify these skills. Learn the tools that augment rather than replace your work.
- Monitoring
Monitoring will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
- Critical Thinking
Critical Thinking will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
- Writing
Writing will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
- Judgment and Decision Making
Judgment and Decision Making will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
- Active Learning
Active Learning will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
Score History
Risk score over 2 scoring runs
overall change