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

Hazardous materials removal workers in Texas earn a median annual wage of $44,390, which works out to roughly $21.34 per hour based on a standard 2,080-hour work year. That number sits at the midpoint — half of workers in this trade earn more, half earn less. If you're just starting out or working a lower-paying market, expect something closer to the 25th percentile: $40,650 a year, or about $19.54 an hour. Workers with more experience, specialized certifications, or jobs in higher-demand metro areas tend to land at the 75th percentile: $48,160 annually, around $23.15 an hour.

All figures come from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2025. No union scale is currently available for this trade in Texas.

The spread between the bottom quartile and the top quartile is about $7,510 per year. That gap is meaningful. It reflects real differences in the type of work being done — asbestos abatement, lead paint removal, mold remediation, and chemical or radiological decontamination all fall under this occupation code, and they don't all pay the same. Workers certified for higher-hazard materials, particularly asbestos and lead under EPA and OSHA protocols, typically command wages toward or above the median. Radiological decontamination work is less common in Texas but tends to pay at or above the 75th percentile when available.

Texas is a large state with significant variation across metros. The Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land area has a heavy concentration of petrochemical and industrial facilities, which drives steady demand for hazmat removal workers. The Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex generates consistent work through demolition and renovation activity, including older commercial buildings that contain legacy materials like asbestos and lead. San Antonio and Austin also produce ongoing work, though volumes tend to be smaller compared to the Gulf Coast industrial corridor.

Hourly workers in this trade often see their take-home pay affected by overtime. Projects with tight remediation timelines — particularly post-disaster cleanup, storm damage, or facility shutdowns — can push weekly hours well above 40. At the median rate of $21.34 per hour, a worker logging 10 hours of overtime weekly at time-and-a-half adds roughly $320 per week on top of base pay, which can meaningfully lift total annual earnings above the BLS figures, which capture straight-time wages.

Certifications matter here more than in many other trades. Texas follows EPA National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) rules for asbestos work, and the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) licenses asbestos workers, supervisors, contractors, and inspectors separately. Holding an active DSHS asbestos worker license is a baseline requirement for most asbestos abatement jobs in the state. Lead abatement certifications through the Texas DSHS are similarly required for regulated lead work. Workers who carry both asbestos and lead credentials are more competitive and tend to negotiate wages toward the upper end of the range.

Entry-level workers without certifications often start as laborers on abatement crews, doing prep, cleanup, and bagging work under the supervision of licensed workers. That entry point typically aligns with wages near or below the 25th percentile of $40,650. As workers accumulate hours, pass state licensing exams, and demonstrate competency with respirator fit testing and personal protective equipment procedures, their wages rise. Supervisory roles — foreman or project supervisor — can push compensation above the 75th percentile figure reported here.

Job stability in this trade is generally solid in Texas. The state's large stock of older industrial, commercial, and residential buildings ensures a consistent pipeline of abatement and remediation work. Federal and state infrastructure spending on school and government building renovation also generates recurring contracts. Hazmat removal is not a trade that can be offshored or automated, which keeps demand for qualified workers steady regardless of broader economic cycles.