How much do hazardous materials removal workers make in Michigan in 2026?

Hazardous materials removal workers in Michigan earn a median of $46,380 per year, which works out to roughly $22.30 per hour based on a standard 2,080-hour work year. That's the number that sits right in the middle of the field — half of workers in this trade earn more, half earn less.

The bottom quarter of earners — workers newer to the trade or in less-specialized roles — come in at $40,890 per year, or about $19.66 per hour. The top quarter reaches $55,440 per year, around $26.65 per hour. That spread of roughly $14,550 between the 25th and 75th percentile tells you there's real room to grow pay as you add certifications, years on the job, and experience with more complex abatement work.

The type of hazardous material you're certified to handle makes a significant difference in what you can earn. Michigan has a steady stream of work across all three major categories: asbestos abatement, lead paint removal, and mold remediation. Asbestos and lead work require specific state licensing through the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA). Workers who hold multiple certifications — say, both asbestos abatement and lead abatement licenses — are more valuable to contractors and can negotiate better hourly rates. If you're only remediation-certified right now, adding an asbestos abatement license is one of the fastest ways to push your pay toward the 75th percentile.

Geography inside Michigan matters too. The Detroit metro area and greater Grand Rapids tend to have the highest concentration of commercial and industrial abatement contracts, which generally pay more than residential work. Flint's ongoing infrastructure remediation has also driven sustained demand for lead-certified workers in the mid-Michigan corridor. Workers based in rural areas of the Upper Peninsula may see thinner job pipelines, though traveling to larger project sites can offset that gap.

Overtime is a real factor in this trade. Project timelines on hazmat removal are often compressed — building owners and general contractors want abatement finished before other trades move in. That urgency means overtime hours are common, especially on commercial demolition and school renovation projects, which in Michigan often run during summer and holiday breaks to minimize occupant exposure. Overtime at 1.5x a base rate of $22.30 per hour comes to roughly $33.45 per hour, and a few weeks of heavy overtime in a busy season can meaningfully lift your annual take-home.

Entry-level workers typically start through on-the-job training combined with state-required initial certification courses. Michigan's asbestos abatement initial training is 32 hours for workers; lead abatement requires separate coursework and a passing score on a LARA-administered exam. These aren't long runways — most workers can complete initial certifications within a couple of weeks and be job-ready shortly after. Annual refresher training is required to maintain active licenses, which keeps your credentials current and signals to employers you're not a liability risk.

Some workers in this trade may be covered by a collective bargaining agreement — check with your local for current rates.

The BLS OEWS figures reported here are for wage and salary employees and are collected from employer payroll records. They don't capture unreported cash pay, per diem allowances, or the value of employer-paid safety gear and PPE — which in hazmat work can be substantial. Health insurance is more commonly offered in this trade than in some others, partly because the physical risks are higher and contractors need to attract workers who will handle regulated materials safely. When comparing offers, factor in whether PPE, decontamination supplies, and medical monitoring (required under certain OSHA standards) are employer-provided or come out of your pocket.

The data here comes from the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2025 release, covering Michigan specifically. These are the most current published figures available for this trade in this state.