Hazardous Materials Removal Worker salary in California
Hazardous Materials Removal Workers in California earn a median of $56,120 a year ($26.98 an hour), based on BLS data for 7,340 workers.
Pay ranges from $41,660 for the lowest-paid 10% to $85,470 for the top 10%. That is 13% higher than the national median of $49,450. California ranks 12th of 51 states for hazardous materials removal workers pay. There are 0.40 hazardous materials removal workers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $60,750, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for hazardous materials removal workers in California
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $41,660 | $20.03 |
| 25th percentile | $47,180 | $22.68 |
| Median | $56,120 | $26.98 |
| 75th percentile | $67,540 | $32.47 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $85,470 | $41.09 |
| Average (mean) | $60,750 | $29.21 |
Half of hazardous materials removal workers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $4,676.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,338.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,158.46 |
| Weekly | $1,079.23 |
| Hourly | $26.98 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Hazardous Materials Removal Worker salary in cities in California
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $60,390 | 250 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $59,580 | 1,410 |
| Vallejo, CA | $55,960 | 220 |
| Fresno, CA | $54,570 | 210 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $51,790 | 670 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $51,260 | 90 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $51,160 | 2,470 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $50,490 | 450 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $50,240 | 150 |
| Salinas, CA | $49,390 | 100 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $48,650 | 180 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $48,360 | 110 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $47,950 | 450 |
Highest-paying states for hazardous materials removal workers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| New York | $73,090 |
| Illinois | $61,330 |
| Alaska | $60,320 |
| District of Columbia | $60,240 |
| North Dakota | $60,160 |
| Washington | $60,160 |
| Tennessee | $60,090 |
| Colorado | $59,920 |
| Missouri | $59,120 |
| Minnesota | $59,100 |
Related jobs in California
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Construction and Building Inspectors | $101,290 | $48.70 |
| Highway Maintenance Worker | $59,580 | $28.64 |
| Fence Erector | $56,060 | $26.95 |
| Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaners | $55,220 | $26.55 |
| Miscellaneous Construction and Related Workers | $60,890 | $29.28 |
| Elevator and Escalator Installers and Repairers | $141,180 | $67.88 |
| Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators | $71,170 | $34.22 |
| Carpenter | $75,920 | $36.50 |
| Construction Laborer | $60,270 | $28.98 |
| Electrician | $76,160 | $36.62 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers | $97,680 | $46.96 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $72,830 | $35.01 |
| Painters, Construction and Maintenance | $59,020 | $28.38 |
| Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators | $87,160 | $41.90 |
More: Construction and Extraction Occupations · all salaries in California
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 47-4041. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a hazardous materials removal worker make in California?
The median salary for hazardous materials removal workers in California is $56,120 a year, or $26.98 an hour. Pay ranges from $41,660 for the lowest-paid 10% to $85,470 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid hazardous materials removal workers make in California?
The top 10% of hazardous materials removal workers in California earn at least $85,470 a year. The top 25% earn $67,540 or more.
What is the starting pay for hazardous materials removal workers in California?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $41,660 a year, and a quarter of hazardous materials removal workers earn $47,180 or less.
How many hazardous materials removal workers work in California?
About 7,340 hazardous materials removal workers are employed in California, not counting the self-employed.