Hazardous materials handler hiring summary. Here are some key points about hiring hazardous materials handlers in the United States:
In the United States, the median cost per hire a hazardous materials handler is $1,633.
It takes between 36 and 42 days to fill the average role in the US.
Human Resources use 15% of their expenses on recruitment on average.
On average, it takes around 12 weeks for a new hazardous materials handler to become settled and show total productivity levels at work.
How to hire a hazardous materials handler, step by step
To hire a hazardous materials handler, consider the skills and experience you are looking for in a candidate, allocate a budget for the position, and post and promote the job opening to reach potential candidates. Follow these steps to hire a hazardous materials handler:
Here's a step-by-step hazardous materials handler hiring guide:
Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
Step 3: Make a budget
Step 4: Write a hazardous materials handler job description
Step 5: Post your job
Step 6: Interview candidates
Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new hazardous materials handler
Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist
Post a hazardous materials handler job for free, promote it for a fee
Identify your hiring needs
Before you start hiring a hazardous materials handler, identify what type of worker you actually need. Certain positions might call for a full-time employee, while others can be done by a part-time worker or contractor.
Determine employee vs contractor status
Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?
A hazardous materials handler's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, hazardous materials handlers from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.
This list shows salaries for various types of hazardous materials handlers.
Type of Hazardous Materials Handler
Description
Hourly rate
Hazardous Materials Handler
Hand laborers and material movers manually move freight, stock, or other materials. Others feed or remove material to and from machines, clean vehicles, pick up unwanted household goods, and pack materials for moving.
$12-19
Dock Worker
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$13-20
Stacker
A stacker operates machines to fit lumber stacks. These machines include conveyer chains, mechanical hands, and rollers... Show more
Manage the logistics of incoming and outgoing shipments
Assess HAZMAT training needs and ensure training for all HAZMAT representatives.
Establish and maintain procedures for receiving, handling, and shipping of HAZMAT.
Distribute production materials to designate locations on assembly lines observing the first-in-first-out (FIFO) inventory control practice.
Thrive in this fast-pace environment requiring memorization, accuracy, and stamina.
Make a budget
Including a salary range in your hazardous materials handler job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. A hazardous materials handler can vary based on:
Location. For example, hazardous materials handlers' average salary in alabama is 40% less than in alaska.
Seniority. Entry-level hazardous materials handlers 35% less than senior-level hazardous materials handlers.
Certifications. A hazardous materials handler with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in a hazardous materials handler's salary.
Average hazardous materials handler salary
$15.77hourly
$32,796 yearly
Entry-level hazardous materials handler salary
$26,000 yearly salary
Updated December 19, 2025
Writing a hazardous materials handler job description
A job description for a hazardous materials handler role includes a summary of the job's main responsibilities, required skills, and preferred background experience. Including a salary range can also go a long way in attracting more candidates to apply, and showing the first name of the hiring manager can also make applicants more comfortable. As an example, here's a hazardous materials handler job description:
Hazardous materials handler job description example
As an EEO/Affirmative Action Employer, all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, disability, or veteran status.
**I. Job Summary**
Performs general operations activities and labor duties in any of the following treatment/disposal units: Drum Process, Landfill, Stabilization, Biotreatment, Macro-encapsulation, Waste Water Treatment, and Waste Sampling departments managing hazardous and non-hazardous waste streams.
**II. Essential Duties and Responsibilities**
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Other minor duties may be assigned.
Tank Farm Operators / Bio Treatment / Arsenic F039 Leachate Treatment Unit
+ Monitors FO39 Leachate tank levels, overfill protection devices, and transfers water from tank to tank and to tanker trucks as necessary for off-site shipments of FO39 leachate.
+ Fill in for other positions (Hazardous Cell Mapper, Hazardous Waste Material Sampler) when required.
+ Monitors alarms, panel board, bar graphs, and motorized valves on each FO39 leachate tank daily.
+ Fill out appropriate documents as required, including shift log detailing level in each FO 39 leachate tank and any liquids entering or leaving tank farm.
+ Inspects all hoses, valves, pumps, cracks in floors, containment walls, and drip pans daily.
+ Monitor rainwater that falls inside the containment area and pump into proper tank.
+ Orders reagent for Bio/Arsenic FO39 Leachate treatment unit as needed to operate unit.
+ Reference site-specific procedures and more detailed site-specific job descriptions.
+ Performing other duties as assigned.
Macro Operators
+ Treats hazardous debris by sealing in an approved Macro-encapsulation container.
+ Places Macro-encapsulation vaults in roll-off boxes.
+ Transfers hazardous debris from one roll-off to another when required.
+ Fills void spaces in Macro-encapsulation roll-off boxes with cement or gravel.
+ Grinds edge of Macro-encapsulation vault where lid is to be sealed.
+ Measures and cuts the required size of the cover to be tracked on the Macro-encapsulation vault.
+ Seals Macro-encapsulation vaults using equipment provided.
+ Operates yard-truck, forklifts, and bucket loaders as required.
+ Inspects and monitors process and permitted hazardous storage buildings for correction action which include the followings: Floor coatings, cracks, labeling of containers, proper storage of incompatible hazardous waste, and containers which holds hazardous waste are properly closed.
+ Reference site-specific procedures and more detailed site-specific job descriptions.
+ Performing other duties as assigned.
Drum Process Unit
+ Move, empty, or fill with absorbent containers of hazardous waste as indicated by hazardous waste disposal decisions determined by the laboratory.
+ Checks with appropriate personnel to determine correct placement of hazardous waste material and transports hazardous waste to prescribed location as directed.
+ Labels loads as required.
+ When placing hazardous waste in bulk container storage buildings, physically checks hazardous waste is placed in slot next to compatible hazardous waste to prevent potential chemical reactions.
+ Operate yard trucks to move empty trailers to Equipment Wash Facility for cleaning and decontamination, returning clean trailers to storage yard.
+ Operate pneumatic and gear type pumps, perform very minor repairs on chain driven conveyors and solid feed, screw type augers.
+ Operate forklift as required to move hazardous material, rotate hazardous drums, to decant small hazardous containers into a bulk hazardous container, and load or unload trailers.
+ Over pack damaged hazardous containers.
+ Clean up spilled hazardous waste.
+ Operates front-end loader in the landfill to unload hazardous containers.
+ Operates high-lift tractor to empty hazardous contents in van trailers and flatbeds.
+ Performs prescribed safety and maintenance checks to ensure equipment is in safe working condition.
+ Operates other equipment as needed.
+ Reference site-specific procedures and more detailed site-specific job descriptions.
+ Performing other duties as assigned.
Waste Material Samplers
+ Reviews paperwork on all inbound hazardous wastes container shipments.
+ Inspects, opens and samples every hazardous container that is received at the facility per Sampling Protocols and Procedures.
+ Coordinate with Chemical Operators, Forklift, Heavy Equipment Operator and Yard-Truck Operator when hazardous waste containers need to be moved to another location.
+ Completes necessary paperwork and maintain hazardous waste tracking system. Enters data into computerized hazardous waste tracking system and distributes documents as required.
+ Prepare physical hazardous inventories and compare those with the computer-generated inventories and reconcile the differences.
+ Ensure company policies and procedures are followed while performing work assignments.
+ Operates hazardous waste truck wash facility and fills in as hazardous waste cell mapper when required
+ Maintain acceptable level of housekeeping and compliance.
+ Reference site-specific procedures and more detailed site-specific job descriptions.
+ Performing other duties as assigned.
**III. Supervisory Responsibilities**
This job has no supervisory duties
**IV. Qualifications**
The requirements listed below are representative of the qualifications necessary to perform the job.
A. Education and Experience
+ Education: Not required.
+ Experience: 5 years in the position as Material Handler Hazardous Waste
B. Certificates, Licenses, Registrations or Other Requirements
+ Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA)
+ National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES)
+ Occupational Safety & Health Act (OSHA)
+ Hazardous Waste Transportation Act (HWTA)
+ Code of Federal Regulation (CFR 40, 29, & 49)
+ Contingency Plan
+ Spill Prevention Control & Countermeasure Plan (SPCC)
+ Security Plan
+ Hazwoper
Standard Division Practices (per department) (SDPs)
Refresher Training As Required By Law
+ RCRA
+ Hazwoper
+ DOT
+ Forklift
Medical Exam
+ Pre Employment Physical and Drug Test
+ Complete Physical Biennially
+ Pulmonary Function Test (PFT), Audiogram and Respirator Fit Test annual
+ Physical at Termination
PPE
Respirators Full face OV/AG or half face with face shield
Full face supplied air in some arrears
Suit Appropriate Barrier Suite: Liquid yellow Tyvek with sleeves, apron, booties Solid white tyvek
Gloves appropriate to hazards present PVC over Nitrile or Butyl (Liquid Waste) Leather Work (Solid Waste), Leather/Cloth work (when handling equipment or containers)
Overshoes Vinyl Booties Waterproof Boots Chemical Resistant Boots
Safety glasses
Hard Hats
Shoes Steel Toe
C. Other Knowledge, Skills or Abilities Required
+ None required.
**V. Work Environment**
Listed below are key points regarding environmental demands and work environment of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.
+ Required to use motor coordination with finger dexterity (such as keyboarding, machine operation, etc) most of the work day;
+ Required to exert physical effort in handling objects less than __ pounds part of the work day;
+ Required to be exposed to physical occupational risks (such as cuts, burns, exposure to toxic or caustic chemicals, etc) all of the work day rarely;
+ Required to be exposed to physical environment which involves dirt, odors, noise, weather extremes or similar elements Most of work day frequently rarely;
Normal setting for this job is: operating material handling equipment, Hazardous waste landfill.
**Benefits**
At Waste Management, each eligible employee receives a competitive total compensation package including Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance and Short Term Disability. As well as a Stock Purchase Plan, Company match on 401K, and more! Our employees also receive Paid Vacation, Holidays, and Personal Days. Please note that benefits may vary by site.
**What is the value of a WM job?**
The value of a WM job is **more than a paycheck** . It's a way to create opportunities for you and your family.
**We Are Stable:** Our WM team is home every day, and our team members perform essential and meaningful work.
**We Are Committed to Growth:** 100% tuition paid for benefits eligible employees and their family, and established career progression.
**We Are Investing in You:** Amazing Medical, Dental & Vision, 401K with match, discounted stock options, dependent day care, and more!
**Who are we? #WeAreWM**
_Ready to roll with us?_ Click Apply to join the Waste Management team today.
To find hazardous materials handlers for your business, try out a few different recruiting strategies:
Consider internal talent. One of the most important talent pools for any company is its current employees.
Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and your current work to ask if they know any hazardous materials handlers they would recommend.
Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit entry-level hazardous materials handlers with the right educational background.
Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter have more than 3.5 billion users, and they're a great place for company branding and reaching potential job candidates.
Post your job online:
Post your hazardous materials handler job on Zippia to find and recruit hazardous materials handler candidates who meet your exact specifications.
During your first interview to recruit hazardous materials handlers, engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. During the following interview, you'll be able to go into more detail about the company, the position, and the responsibilities.
It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match your ideal candidate profile. If you think a candidate is good enough for the next step, you can move on to the technical interview.
Send a job offer and onboard your new hazardous materials handler
Once you have selected a candidate for the hazardous materials handler position, it is time to create an offer letter. In addition to salary, the offer letter should include details about benefits and perks that are available to the employee. Ensuring your offer is competitive is vital, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and it is important to be open to discussion and reach a mutually beneficial agreement. After the offer has been accepted, it is a good idea to formalize the agreement with a contract.
It's equally important to follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that the position has been filled.
To prepare for the new employee's start date, you can create an onboarding schedule and complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9 forms, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Human Resources should also ensure that a new employee file is created.
Go through the hiring process checklist
Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
Define job responsibilities and requirements
Establish budget and timeline
Determine hiring decision makers for the role
Write job description
Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
Promote the job internally
Process applications through applicant tracking system
Review resumes and cover letters
Shortlist candidates for screening
Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
Conduct background checks on top candidates
Check references of top candidates
Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
Extend offer to top candidate(s)
Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)
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How much does it cost to hire a hazardous materials handler?
There are different types of costs for hiring hazardous materials handlers. One-time cost per hire for the recruitment process. Ongoing costs include employee salary, training, onboarding, benefits, insurance, and equipment. It is essential to consider all of these costs when evaluating hiring a new hazardous materials handler employee.
The median annual salary for hazardous materials handlers is $32,796 in the US. However, the cost of hazardous materials handler hiring can vary a lot depending on location. Additionally, hiring a hazardous materials handler for contract work or on a per-project basis typically costs between $12 and $19 an hour.
Find better hazardous materials handlers in less time
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Hiring hazardous materials handlers FAQs
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