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Decontamination technician vs hazardous waste technician

The differences between decontamination technicians and hazardous waste technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a decontamination technician and a hazardous waste technician. Additionally, a decontamination technician has an average salary of $44,291, which is higher than the $41,776 average annual salary of a hazardous waste technician.

The top three skills for a decontamination technician include papr, safety procedures and PPE. The most important skills for a hazardous waste technician are DOT, OSHA, and HAZWOPER.

Decontamination technician vs hazardous waste technician overview

Decontamination TechnicianHazardous Waste Technician
Yearly salary$44,291$41,776
Hourly rate$21.29$20.08
Growth rate9%9%
Number of jobs28,10813,899
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 33%Bachelor's Degree, 37%
Average age3838
Years of experience22

Decontamination technician vs hazardous waste technician salary

Decontamination technicians and hazardous waste technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.

Decontamination TechnicianHazardous Waste Technician
Average salary$44,291$41,776
Salary rangeBetween $28,000 And $69,000Between $26,000 And $66,000
Highest paying CityNewton, MASan Mateo, CA
Highest paying stateNew YorkCalifornia
Best paying companyBattelleTesla
Best paying industryEnergyManufacturing

Differences between decontamination technician and hazardous waste technician education

There are a few differences between a decontamination technician and a hazardous waste technician in terms of educational background:

Decontamination TechnicianHazardous Waste Technician
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 33%Bachelor's Degree, 37%
Most common majorBusinessEnvironmental Science
Most common college-Stanford University

Decontamination technician vs hazardous waste technician demographics

Here are the differences between decontamination technicians' and hazardous waste technicians' demographics:

Decontamination TechnicianHazardous Waste Technician
Average age3838
Gender ratioMale, 69.6% Female, 30.4%Male, 84.6% Female, 15.4%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 10.4% Unknown, 5.6% Hispanic or Latino, 15.8% Asian, 8.9% White, 58.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0%Black or African American, 9.5% Unknown, 5.9% Hispanic or Latino, 16.9% Asian, 10.4% White, 56.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1%
LGBT Percentage8%8%

Differences between decontamination technician and hazardous waste technician duties and responsibilities

Decontamination technician example responsibilities.

  • Concrete crushing, demolition, and wrecking of commercial buildings, apartments, and homes.
  • Assign with ALARA for lead shielding projects.
  • Monitor NRC license compliance and support inspections.
  • Set up ladders, scaffolds and hoists.
  • Perform decontamination of a sand blast booth using a HEPA vacuum cleaner.
  • Design, maintain, install, and replace rectifiers and grind beds.
  • Show more

Hazardous waste technician example responsibilities.

  • Manage the logistics of incoming and outgoing shipments
  • Manage daily RCRA inspections and mechanical, electrical, and electronic equipment preventive/corrective maintenance procedures.
  • Pick up trash recycle plastic and pick up yard waste
  • Administer first aid and CPR.
  • Dispose waste and recycle items.
  • Used specific tools, ladders, and extinguishers.
  • Show more

Decontamination technician vs hazardous waste technician skills

Common decontamination technician skills
  • Papr, 14%
  • Safety Procedures, 13%
  • PPE, 12%
  • Hazardous Materials, 10%
  • Radioactive Waste, 7%
  • Hazardous Waste, 6%
Common hazardous waste technician skills
  • DOT, 13%
  • OSHA, 8%
  • HAZWOPER, 7%
  • Spill Response, 7%
  • Safety Procedures, 6%
  • Household Hazardous Waste, 5%

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