Hazard waste handler vs decontamination/decommissioning operator

The differences between hazard waste 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 a hazard waste handler and a decontamination/decommissioning operator. Additionally, a hazard waste handler has an average salary of $49,743, which is higher than the $38,834 average annual salary of a decontamination/decommissioning operator.

The top three skills for a hazard waste handler include hazardous materials, safety procedures and . The most important skills for a decontamination/decommissioning operator are demolition, radioactive waste, and .

Hazard waste handler vs decontamination/decommissioning operator overview

	Hazard Waste Handler	Decontamination/Decommissioning Operator
Yearly salary	$49,743	$38,834
Hourly rate	$23.91	$18.67
Growth rate	-	-
Number of jobs	26,901	30,316
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 30%	High School Diploma, 50%
Average age	43	43
Years of experience	2	2

Hazard waste handler vs decontamination/decommissioning operator salary

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

	Hazard Waste Handler	Decontamination/Decommissioning Operator
Average salary	$49,743	$38,834
Salary range	Between $28,000 And $87,000	Between $26,000 And $56,000
Highest paying City	-	-
Highest paying state	-	-
Best paying company	-	-
Best paying industry	-	-

Differences between hazard waste handler and decontamination/decommissioning operator education

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

	Hazard Waste Handler	Decontamination/Decommissioning Operator
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 30%	High School Diploma, 50%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Hazard waste handler vs decontamination/decommissioning operator demographics

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

	Hazard Waste 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, 11.2% Unknown, 3.1% Hispanic or Latino, 29.2% Asian, 2.3% White, 51.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 3.2%	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 hazard waste handler and decontamination/decommissioning operator duties and responsibilities

Hazard waste handler example responsibilities.

Manage the logistics of incoming and outgoing shipments
Consult MSDS for accurate spill decontamination.
Consult MSDS for accurate spill decontamination.

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.

Hazard waste handler vs decontamination/decommissioning operator skills

Common hazard waste handler skills

Hazardous Materials, 51%
Safety Procedures, 49%

Common decontamination/decommissioning operator skills

Demolition, 57%
Radioactive Waste, 43%

Hazard Waste Handler vs. similar jobs

Hazard Waste Handler related careers

Hazard Waste Handler related jobs

What similar roles do

Zippia Careers
Construction and Extraction Industry
Hazard Waste Handler
Hazard Waste Handler vs Decontamination/Decommissioning Operator

Updated January 8, 2025

Browse construction and extraction jobs