Hazardous materials inspector

About this occupation

Hazardous materials inspectors inspect facilities which handle hazardous materials to ensure compliance to health and safety regulations, and hazardous materials handling legislation. They investigate violations, oversee tests of emergency and risk response plans, and consult on the improvement of the facilities' operations and procedures, as well as on hazardous materials regulations. They also advise plants on potential sources of danger to a community, and on better safety regulations.

A specialisation of industrial waste inspector.

• Remove asbestos or lead from surfaces, using hand or power tools such as scrapers, vacuums, or high-pressure sprayers.
• Build containment areas prior to beginning abatement or decontamination work.
• Prepare hazardous material for removal or storage.
• Comply with prescribed safety procedures or federal laws regulating waste disposal methods.
• Record numbers of containers stored at disposal sites, specifying amounts or types of equipment or waste disposed.
• Clean contaminated equipment or areas for reuse, using detergents or solvents, sandblasters, filter pumps, or steam cleaners.

Preparation

Job Zone 2 of 5

Interests

Realistic, Conventional, Investigative

Top skills: Monitoring, Critical Thinking, Active Listening, Reading Comprehension, Speaking, Coordination

US median pay: US$49,450 a year (2025), 51,710 employed. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.

Subjects this work relies on

How important each subject's knowledge is in the job itself, rated by people doing it (1 to 5).

• Business Studies or EntrepreneurshipO*NET: Administration and ManagementVery important (3.6)
• English or Literature in EnglishO*NET: English LanguageImportant (3.3)
• ChemistryO*NET: ChemistryImportant (3.2)
• Government and PoliticsO*NET: Law and GovernmentImportant (3.2)
• MetalworkO*NET: MechanicalImportant (3.1)
• WoodworkO*NET: Building and ConstructionImportant (3.0)

O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.

Preparation needed

Job Zone 1-2: Very Little to Some Preparation Needed

Education

Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.

Experience

Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.

Training

Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training.

O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.