Hazardous Material Removal Workers Salary in California (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Hazardous Materials Removal Workers in California, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
California Median
$56,120
per year
Hourly Rate
$26.98
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+13% vs US median
US median $49,450
State Rank
#12 of 51
7,340 employed here

How much does a Hazardous Material Removal Workers make in California?

Hazardous Materials Removal Workers in California take home a median of $56,120 annually — roughly $26.98 an hour — which runs 13% above the national median of $49,450.

Within California, entry-level pay starts around $41,660 while the top 10% make $85,470 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $47,180 and $67,540 a year.

Hazardous Material Removal Workers salary range in California

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$41,660$20.03
25th percentile (early career)$47,180$22.68
50th percentile (median)$56,120$26.98
75th percentile (experienced)$67,540$32.47
90th percentile (top earners)$85,470$41.09

How California compares

California ranks 12th out of 51 states and territories for Hazardous Material Removal Workers pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1New York$73,090
2Illinois$61,330
3Alaska$60,320
4District of Columbia$60,240
5North Dakota$60,160

Working as a Hazardous Material Removal Workers in California

Nationally, about 52,000 people work as Hazardous Materials Removal Workers in the United States. A high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job.

Considering a move? Compare California pay ($56,120) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a Hazardous Material Removal Workers make in California?
The median Hazardous Material Removal Workers salary in California is $56,120 per year, or about $26.98 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $41,660 at the entry level to $85,470 for the top 10% of earners.
How does California pay compare to the national average?
California pays Hazardous Materials Removal Workers about 13% more than the national median of $49,450. California ranks 12th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is California a good state for Hazardous Materials Removal Workers?
Yes on pay — California pays above the national median for this occupation, at $56,120 a year. About 7,340 Hazardous Materials Removal Workers are employed in California. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in California?
The highest-paying occupations in California include Ophthalmologist, Except Pediatric ($400,150), Neurologist ($357,080), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($353,900), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.

← See the national Hazardous Material Removal Workers salary report

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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.