Do you love a challenge? Then you’ll love a career that specializes in Hazardous Materials.

Job Description
A major factor that can positively influence the safety of first responders, career and volunteer, is ensuring that all personnel are safe from dangerous chemicals they may not even be able to see. In a career as a Hazmat Specialist, you would be protecting those who protect the public.

Hazmat specialists have many job duties, but are mainly responsible for conducting hazardous waste field investigations and research and are frequently called upon to act independently and make decisions under difficult conditions.

Median Salary
$60,000

Education Requirements
In order to compete in this lucrative and exciting field, candidates should prepare themselves with advanced degrees in Chemistry, Physical and Biological Sciences, Fire Science, or Emergency Management. Having a degree can often mean the difference between cleaning the chemical spill and managing the crew, a difference that could mean thousands of dollars a year. Possession of a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with a major in industrial hygiene, environmental health science, physical science, engineering science or a related field would also benefit the candidate.

Job Outlook
Employment of hazardous materials removal workers is expected to grow 11 percent between 2006 and 2016, and is projected to grow faster than the average as paid positions replace unpaid volunteers. Opportunities will be best for those who have earned advanced certifications. These workers are not greatly affected by economic fluctuations because the facilities in which they work must operate, regardless of the state of the economy.