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How to hire a hazmat technician

Hazmat technician hiring summary. Here are some key points about hiring hazmat technicians in the United States:

  • HR departments typically spend 15% of their expenses on recruitment.
  • It usually takes about 12 weeks for a new employee to reach full productivity levels.
  • It typically takes 36-42 days to fill a job opening.
  • The median cost to hire a hazmat technician is $1,633.
  • Small businesses spend an average of $1,105 per hazmat technician on training each year, while large companies spend $658.
  • There are currently 6,315 hazmat technicians in the US and 31,166 job openings.
  • Rancho Cucamonga, CA, has the highest demand for hazmat technicians, with 4 job openings.
  • Fort Worth, TX has the highest concentration of hazmat technicians.

How to hire a hazmat technician, step by step

To hire a hazmat technician, you should create an ideal candidate profile, determine a budget, and post and promote your job. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to hire a hazmat technician:

Here's a step-by-step hazmat technician hiring guide:

  • Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
  • Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
  • Step 3: Make a budget
  • Step 4: Write a hazmat technician job description
  • Step 5: Post your job
  • Step 6: Interview candidates
  • Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new hazmat technician
  • Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist
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  1. Identify your hiring needs

    First, determine the employments status of the hazmat technician you need to hire. Certain hazmat technician roles might require a full-time employee, whereas others can be done by part-time workers or contractors.

    Determine employee vs contractor status
    Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

    A hazmat technician's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, hazmat technicians 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 hazmat technicians.

    Type of Hazmat TechnicianDescriptionHourly rate
    Hazmat TechnicianEnvironmental science and protection technicians monitor the environment and investigate sources of pollution and contamination, including those affecting public health. In addition, they work to ensure that environmental violations are prevented.$13-25
    Environmental Services SupervisorEnvironmental services supervisors direct and administer a healthcare facility's housekeeping program to maintain sanitation and occupational health. They help departments in charge of the cleanup, sanitation, pest control, housekeeping, and laundry... Show more$14-25
    Laboratory AnalystA Laboratory Analyst helps conduct experiments, run laboratory tests, and analyze results. They compile and record data for the documentation needed for testing and report preparation.$14-29
  2. Create an ideal candidate profile

    Common skills:
    • Safety Procedures
    • Emergency Response
    • OSHA
    • Industrial Cleaning
    • Space Entry
    • CPR
    • HAZWOPER
    • Chemical Waste
    • Oil Spill
    • Asbestos
    • SCBA
    • Materials Handling
    • Space Rescue
    • Respirators
    Check all skills
    Responsibilities:
    • Manage daily RCRA inspections and mechanical, electrical, and electronic equipment preventive/corrective maintenance procedures.
    • Can conduct remediation at hazwoper sites.
    • Re-Cover residue material for disposal are done in accordance to EPA guidelines.
    • Complete complex governmental paperwork require by FAA, EPA, on say incidents.
    • Ensure shop area follow and maintain all EPA laws as well as OSHA rules and regulations.
    • Ensure proper segregation of items store in HAZMAT storage areas to prevent mixing of incompatible chemicals.
  3. Make a budget

    Including a salary range in your hazmat technician job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. A hazmat technician salary can vary based on several factors:
    • Location. For example, hazmat technicians' average salary in tennessee is 45% less than in connecticut.
    • Seniority. Entry-level hazmat technicians earn 46% less than senior-level hazmat technicians.
    • Certifications. A hazmat technician with a few certifications under their belt will likely demand a higher salary.
    • Company. Working for a prestigious company or an exciting start-up can make a huge difference in a hazmat technician's salary.

    Average hazmat technician salary

    $40,096yearly

    $19.28 hourly rate

    Entry-level hazmat technician salary
    $29,000 yearly salary
    Updated December 17, 2025
  4. Writing a hazmat technician job description

    A hazmat technician job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. Below, you can find an example of a hazmat technician job description:

    Hazmat technician job description example

    On Call Role - $21.43/Hour

    The Hazmat technician will respond to hazardous materials release/spill incidents and other related Emergency Management incidents as directed by the Emergency Management Director, Deputy Director, Hazmat Team Leader or Sheriff’s Command staff.

    Hazmat Technicians respond to Hazardous Material incidents as the main unit to mitigate the incident, and in the course of that response, he/she may be required to use highly technical and specialized equipment for the containment, stabilization and mitigation of emergencies involving hazardous and toxic substances. Additionally he/she shall perform or assist with any other duties as assigned by Sheriff Command staff, Emergency Management Director, Deputy Director or Hazmat Team Leader

    JOB REQUIREMENTS : To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

    Valid WI driver’s license and successful completion of a background investigation.

    Meet all education and experience requirements and possess the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities listed below.

    Must pass a biennial annual OSHA medical examination or an immediate examination if a significant exposure to a known chemical while on a deployment occurs.

    Regulation of conduct on and off-duty under the rules and regulations of the Sheriff’s Department.

    Required to attend departmental training programs as assigned.

    Required to function in a drug-free workplace.

    Successful completion of the 12 month probationary period.

    Education Requirements :

    High School Education

    Completion of the First Responder operations and/technician Level for Hazardous Materials per OSHA Standard 29 CFR 1910.120, Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response. *OR* Completion of the 40-Hour Emergency Response to Hazardous Incidents course OSHA 165.15

    Completion of the FEMA courses including:

    ICS-100 Basic Incident Command

    ICS-200 Incident Command System – Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents

    IS-700 NIMS (National Incident Management System) – An Introduction

    IS-800 National Response Plan – An Introduction

    CPR training with AED endorsement and training in Blood Borne Pathogens awareness.

    Experience Requirements:

    None required, but exposure to HazMat training or previous emergency response experience is preferred.

    Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

    Ability to recognize and identify the risks and hazards at the incident response sites.

    Ability to exercise and demonstrate professionalism, good judgment, integrity, discretion, and initiative.

    Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

    Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with supervisors, associates and the public.

    Strong organizational skills.

    Ability to operate specialized computers, instruments and communication equipment.

    Ozaukee County offers a generous benefits package including: health, dental, life, & vision insurance; free employee health clinic & Teladoc; paid holidays, vacation, & sick time; state of Wisconsin WRS defined benefit pension program; bonus opportunities; employee fitness room; wellness program & wellness reimbursement; tuition reimbursement & continuing education opportunities; and more!

    Ozaukee County prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type against applicants and employees on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, handicap, disability, genetics, veteran status or military service, marital status or sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic or status protected by federal, state or local laws. Ozaukee County also provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with the requirements of the Americans With Disabilities Act and applicable state and local laws.

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  5. Post your job

    To find the right hazmat technician for your business, consider trying out a few different recruiting strategies:

    • Consider internal talent. One of the most important sources of talent for any company is its existing workforce.
    • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and current employees and ask if they know or have worked with hazmat technicians they would recommend.
    • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit hazmat technicians who meet your education requirements.
    • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter now have more than 3.5 billion users, and you can use social media to reach potential job candidates.
    Post your job online:
    • Post your hazmat technician job on Zippia to find and recruit hazmat technician candidates who meet your exact specifications.
    • Use field-specific websites.
    • Post a job on free websites.
  6. Interview candidates

    To successfully recruit hazmat technicians, your first interview needs to engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. You can go into more detail about the company, the role, and the responsibilities during follow-up interviews.

    It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents. You can move on to the technical interview if a candidate is good enough for the next step.

    The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

  7. Send a job offer and onboard your new hazmat technician

    Once you've selected the best hazmat technician candidate for the job, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, this letter should include details about the benefits and perks you offer the candidate. Ensuring that your offer is competitive is essential, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and you should be open to discussion. After you reach an agreement, the final step is formalizing the agreement with a contract.

    You should also follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that you've filled the position.

    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.

  8. 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 hazmat technician?

Before you start to hire hazmat technicians, it pays to consider both the one-off costs like recruitment, job promotion, and onboarding, as well as the ongoing costs of an employee's salary and benefits. While most companies that hire hazmat technicians pay close attention to the initial cost of hiring, ongoing costs are much more significant in the long run.

Hazmat technicians earn a median yearly salary is $40,096 a year in the US. However, if you're looking to find hazmat technicians for hire on a contract or per-project basis, hourly rates typically range between $13 and $25.

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