Asbestos Abatement Technicians
Overview
Introduction
Asbestos abatement technicians, also known as asbestos removal technicians, assist with the removal of asbestos-containing materials from buildings (or coat and seal asbestos to eliminate exposure). Asbestos, now recognized as a hazardous material when released into the air, was once widely used in wall insulation, paint, pipes, ceiling tiles, and other building materials because of its fire-retardant properties. There are approximately 46,200 hazardous materials removal workers in the United States.
Quick Facts
Median Salary
Employment Prospects
Minimum Education Level
Experience
Skills
Personality Traits
Earnings
Hazardous materials removal workers had median annual earnings of $42,030 in May 2018, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. Those in the lowest 10 percent earned less than $27,910 annually, and those in the highest 10 percent earned $75,840 or more. In July 2019, PayScale reported the national average salary for asbestos abatement workers was about $32,365 ($15.56 per hour)....
Work Environment
Asbestos abatement technicians work indoors at various locations, most often office buildings and schools. They usually work a 40-hour week, although shift work is not uncommon, particularly if there is a deadline. For example, removal of asbestos from a school most likely will take place during the summer and have to be completed before school starts in the fall. An asbestos removal project ma...
Outlook
The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) expects overall employment of hazardous waste removal workers to grow much faster than the average for all occupations through 2028. Concerns about clean air and the environment continue to lead to more safety regulations and more strict requirements for building owners.
Opportunities for asbestos abatement technicians often depends on the pace of resto...
