Hazardous materials removal workers identify and dispose of harmful substances such as asbestos, lead, mold and radioactive waste. They work in protective gear, follow strict procedures and keep records for regulators. Generative AI can help with the paperwork. The removal itself is physical work in hazardous conditions.
The short answer: AI exposure is very low. The ILO's 2025 index rates building frame and related trades workers not elsewhere classified, the closest group, as not exposed with a score of 0.09. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 2 percent growth for hazardous materials removal workers from 2025 to 2035, slower than average, with about 4,300 openings a year. Projections are estimates, not guarantees.
How exposed hazmat removal workers are
The International Labour Organization scores occupations' tasks from 0 (cannot be automated with generative AI) to 1 (could be done without a human operator), and groups them into gradients from 1 to 4, with 4 the most exposed; below them sit minimal exposure and not exposed (ILO Working Paper 140, 2025).
| Occupation (ISCO-08) | ILO category | Mean task score (0 to 1) |
|---|---|---|
| Building Frame and Related Trades Workers Not Elsewhere Classified | Not exposed | 0.09 |
The ILO scores groups of occupations, so this is the closest group for hazardous materials removal workers, not a score for the job title itself.
The ILO index measures generative AI, not robots or automated machines.
What the BLS projects
| Occupation | Projected change 2025 to 2035 | Openings a year |
|---|---|---|
| Hazardous materials removal workers | Grow 2% | About 4,300 |
The BLS expects most openings to come from replacing workers who move to other occupations or retire. Its outlook does not mention AI.
Where AI is helping
- Drafting work plans, logs and disposal records.
- Summarizing regulations and site documents for a first read.
- Scheduling crews, equipment and waste pickups.
- Writing estimates and customer updates.
What stays with hazmat removal workers
- Removal: containment, removal and cleanup with the right protective equipment.
- Safety: protecting crews, occupants and neighbors from exposure.
- Compliance: following the rules exactly, because mistakes harm people.
- Checking AI help: a generated summary of a safety rule can be wrong, so go back to the regulation, which NIST calls confabulation (NIST AI 600-1). See checking AI output.
How the job is changing
Openings come mostly from replacement, and the work stays physical and regulated. Software helps most with records and planning. This page is general information, not career advice.
See also will AI replace construction workers?, will AI replace environmental science technicians? and will AI replace safety specialists?
Pay and how to get in
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics puts the median annual pay for hazardous materials removal workers at $49,450 in May 2025, against $50,980 for all workers. The typical education needed to enter is: high school diploma or equivalent. See how this job compares in AI exposure by pay and AI exposure by education level.
Questions and answers
Will AI replace hazardous materials removal workers?
Not on current projections. The BLS projects 2 percent growth from 2025 to 2035.
How exposed is hazmat removal work to AI?
The closest ILO group is rated not exposed, with a score of 0.09. The index measures generative AI, not robots.
How many openings are expected?
About 4,300 a year on average over the decade, mostly from replacing workers, according to the BLS.
Can AI help with hazmat compliance?
It can draft records and summarize rules, but every summary should be checked against the regulation itself.