Career comparison
Environmental Technician vs. Hazardous Materials Technician
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Environmental technicians earn more at the median ($55,090 vs. $49,450), while hazardous materials technicians usually get to work faster (1–4 weeks of required training of training). Environmental technicians collect and test air, water and soil samples to monitor pollution and protect health. Hazardous materials technicians safely remove and clean up asbestos, lead, chemicals and other hazardous materials.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Environmental Technician | Hazardous Materials Technician | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $55,090 ($26.49/hr) | $49,450 ($23.78/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $38,170 – $94,160 | $38,460 – $82,410 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | +6.9% (faster than average) | +1.5% (slower than average) |
| Openings per year | 5,300 | 4,300 |
| Typical entry education | Associate's degree | High school diploma or equivalent |
| Training time | About 2 years | 1–4 weeks of required training |
| Key credential | OSHA HAZWOPER 40-hour | OSHA HAZWOPER 40-hour |
| Work setting | Environmental technicians work in the field (at industrial sites, construction projects, landfills, rivers and remediation sites) and in labs and offices. | Hazmat technicians work at demolition and renovation sites, industrial facilities, contaminated land and emergency scenes. |
What each job does
Environmental Technician
- Collect air, water, soil and waste samples using approved methods
- Calibrate and operate field monitoring instruments
- Complete chain-of-custody forms and field logs
- Conduct stormwater, spill and compliance inspections
- Perform laboratory tests and prepare samples for labs
Hazardous Materials Technician
- Set up regulated areas, containment and decontamination zones
- Identify hazardous materials and review safety data and site plans
- Remove asbestos, lead paint, mold or contaminated materials using approved methods
- Wear and maintain respirators and chemical protective clothing
- Decontaminate workers, tools and equipment
How they’re similar
Both careers involve working outdoors, hands-on work, and travel. Both are part of the safety & environmental field, so many skills transfer between them.
Which should you choose?
Choose environmental technician if…
- I care about clean air, water and land
- I like working outdoors and in a lab
- I’m careful and precise with records
Choose hazardous materials technician if…
- I follow safety procedures exactly, every time
- I can work in hot, heavy protective gear
- I want a fast path into a skilled field
Still torn? Take the Environmental Technician fit quiz and the Hazardous Materials Technician fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, environmental technician or hazardous materials technician?
Environmental Technicians earn more at the median: $55,090 versus $49,450 for hazardous materials technicians, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Hazardous Materials Technicians typically train faster (1–4 weeks of required training) than environmental technicians (About 2 years).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects environmental technicians to grow +6.9% from 2025–35, compared with +1.5% for hazardous materials technicians.