Asbestos handler vs decontamination/decommissioning operator

The differences between asbestos handlers and decontamination/decommissioning operators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both an asbestos handler and a decontamination/decommissioning operator. Additionally, an asbestos handler has an average salary of $47,412, which is higher than the $38,834 average annual salary of a decontamination/decommissioning operator.

The top three skills for an asbestos handler include OSHA, site safety and demolition. The most important skills for a decontamination/decommissioning operator are demolition, radioactive waste, and .

Asbestos handler vs decontamination/decommissioning operator overview

	Asbestos Handler	Decontamination/Decommissioning Operator
Yearly salary	$47,412	$38,834
Hourly rate	$22.79	$18.67
Growth rate	-	-
Number of jobs	26,007	30,316
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 33%	High School Diploma, 50%
Average age	43	43
Years of experience	2	2

Asbestos handler vs decontamination/decommissioning operator salary

Asbestos handlers and decontamination/decommissioning operators have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Asbestos Handler	Decontamination/Decommissioning Operator
Average salary	$47,412	$38,834
Salary range	Between $25,000 And $87,000	Between $26,000 And $56,000
Highest paying City	New York, NY	-
Highest paying state	Alaska	-
Best paying company	-	-
Best paying industry	Utilities	-

Differences between asbestos handler and decontamination/decommissioning operator education

There are a few differences between an asbestos handler and a decontamination/decommissioning operator in terms of educational background:

	Asbestos Handler	Decontamination/Decommissioning Operator
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 33%	High School Diploma, 50%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Asbestos handler vs decontamination/decommissioning operator demographics

Here are the differences between asbestos handlers' and decontamination/decommissioning operators' demographics:

	Asbestos Handler	Decontamination/Decommissioning Operator
Average age	43	43
Gender ratio	Male, 96.1% Female, 3.9%	Male, 78.9% Female, 21.1%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 10.9% Unknown, 3.2% Hispanic or Latino, 32.2% Asian, 2.4% White, 48.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 3.4%	Black or African American, 11.3% Unknown, 3.0% Hispanic or Latino, 29.4% Asian, 1.9% White, 51.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.6%
LGBT Percentage	9%	9%

Differences between asbestos handler and decontamination/decommissioning operator duties and responsibilities

Asbestos handler example responsibilities.

Work as a asbestos and demolition laborer.
Perform demolition of structures and walls to access insulation.
Ensure worker maintenance of OSHA regulations in order to ensure onsite, worker safety.
Comply with all OSHA regulations and Dow chemical plant safety policies, including wearing require personal protective equipment.
Train laborer for asbestos abatement projects in a variety of industrial and residential work environments.
Apply shingles, gravel and asphalt.

Decontamination/decommissioning operator example responsibilities.

Manage day-to-day transportation and logistics services for multinational account base.
Follow all company safety rules; utilize all require safety equipment.
Work in all levels of personal protective equipment; follow all standard operating procedures to maintain clean and safe work environment.
Perform various radiological control demolition inside and out side facility utilizing a broad range of tooling and containments.
Monitor combat missions through satellite and computer global positioning systems in order to prepare accurate reports for unit commanders.
Operate monitoring systems for various demil and recycle equipment via remote cameras and computer data output.

Asbestos handler vs decontamination/decommissioning operator skills

Common asbestos handler skills

OSHA, 33%
Site Safety, 23%
Demolition, 11%
Hazardous Materials, 8%
Safety Procedures, 8%
Hand Tools, 8%

Common decontamination/decommissioning operator skills

Demolition, 57%
Radioactive Waste, 43%

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Asbestos Handler vs Decontamination/Decommissioning Operator

Updated January 8, 2025

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