Hazardous Materials Removal Workers Salary
In Tennessee, hazardous materials removal workers earn $60,090 at the median, or about $28.89 an hour. The range runs from $39K at the entry level to $96K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 89.78), which stretches that salary to about $66,930 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,215/month, or 29.1% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Tennessee. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $60K get you in Tennessee?
About hazardous materials removal workers
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What this looks like in Tennessee
Tennessee sits well above the national pay line for hazardous materials removal workers, local pay runs about 22% higher than the U.S. median of $49K. Rent runs $1,215/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 29% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Regional Price Parity sits at 89.78 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 10% cheaper here. Your dollar stretches further than the headline salary suggests. Use the affordability calculator above to model your specific situation.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Tennessee
Entry-level hazardous materials removal workers (10th percentile) start around $39K. Mid-career wages sit at $60K. Top earners bring in $96K or more, a $57K spread from bottom to top.
Hazardous Materials Removal Workers salary by metro in Tennessee
4 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Knoxville | $75K | +25% | 230 |
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin | $59K | -1% | 130 |
| Chattanooga | $59K | -2% | 50 |
| Memphis | $48K | -19% | 100 |
Compare to other states
Track hazardous materials removal workers salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Tennessee numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a hazardous materials removal worker afford a 2BR apartment alone in Tennessee?
Yes — at the median salary of $60K, rent takes 29% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,215/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for hazardous materials removal workers in Tennessee?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new hazardous materials removal workers typically earn — is $39K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $2,368/month. At HUD’s $1,215/month FMR, rent would take 51% of that take-home — above the 30% guideline, so a 1-bedroom or shared housing is likely necessary starting out.
Is hazardous materials removal worker a high-paying job in Tennessee?
Local pay is 22% above the national median — $60K here vs. $49K nationally.
How does Tennessee compare to the national average for hazardous materials removal workers?
Tennessee pays $60K median vs. the U.S. average of $49K — that’s +22%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 89.78), the purchasing-power equivalent is $67K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do hazardous materials removal workers make in Tennessee?
The median is $60,090 a year, that works out to about $29 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $39,460, and experienced hazardous materials removal workers can clear $96,100. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $60K enough to live in Tennessee?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,193/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,215/month, which eats 29% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a hazardous materials removal workers salary go in Tennessee?
Tennessee has a Regional Price Parity of 89.78 (100 is the national average). That's below average, your money stretches further here than the raw salary number suggests. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median hazardous materials removal workers salary is worth about $66,930 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do hazardous materials removal workers get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.