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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Hazardous Materials Technician in California is $57,686 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $28.
However, a Hazardous Materials Technician's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Hazardous Materials Technician Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $65,525 | $5,460 | $1,260 | $32 |
| Average | $57,686 | $4,807 | $1,109 | $28 |
| 25th Percentile | $52,070 | $4,339 | $1,001 | $25 |
Terraphase Engineering Inc - Oakland, CA
NV5 - Torrance, CA
Lockwood Industries, LLC dba Fralock - Milpitas, CA
Aerotek - Long Beach, CA
A Hazardous Materials Technician's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of a Hazardous Materials Technician's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here’s how the average salary grows at different career stages:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Hazardous... Level Hazardous Materials Technician | $56,053 |
| Audio Vis... Level Hazardous Materials Technician | $65,389 |
| Audio Vis... Level Hazardous Materials Technician | $79,583 |
| Audio Vis... Level Hazardous Materials Technician | $98,308 |
| Audio Vis... Level Hazardous Materials Technician | $93,893 |
What Am I Worth?
Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Hazardous Materials Technicians. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:
For Hazardous Materials Technician roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 60% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Aerospace & Defense and Biotechnology sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 30% above the average. In contrast, Hazardous Materials Technician positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit or Transportation typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Hazardous Materials Technician as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aerospace & Defense | $74,992 | $36.0 | 30% |
Understanding how a Hazardous Materials Technician's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $65,525 | $5,460 | $1,260 | $32 |
| Average | $57,686 | $4,807 | $1,109 | $28 |
| 25th Percentile | $52,070 | $4,339 | $1,001 | $25 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Hazardous Materials Technician job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
Tesla, Inc.
Fremont, CA
Tesla, Inc. | Fremont, CA
Tesla, Inc. Environmental, Health, Safety & Security [Factory Worker / Utility Worker] As a Hazardous Waste Technician at Tesla, Inc., you'll: Perform coll... more
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Gana-A'Yoo, Limited - Antarctic Program
Oxnard, CA
Gana-A'Yoo, Limited - Antarctic Program | Oxnard, CA
Job Description. Job Description. POSITION: Hazardous Waste TechnicianSEASON: February - April LOCATION: Port Hueneme. CaliforniaSECTOR/DEPT. Six Mile, LLC... more
5 Days Ago
Kleinfelder
Ontario, CA
Kleinfelder | Ontario, CA
Job DescriptionTake Your Construction Career to the Next Level. Are you ready to be challenged, make a difference, and experience professional growth in yo... more
7 Days Ago
Radiant
El Segundo, CA
Radiant | El Segundo, CA
Job Description. Job Description. Metallography. Support metallography operations involving sectioning, mounting, polishing, and etching of specimens per A... more
7 Days Ago
Virgin Galactic
Irvine, CA
Virgin Galactic | Irvine, CA
Specialist Materials Manufacturing Technician. Virgin Galactic is seeking a talented and motivated technical person to join our Test & Evaluation team to h... more
8 Days Ago
SpaceX
Hawthorne, CA
SpaceX | Hawthorne, CA
Lead Materials R&D Technician (Materials Lab - Characterization). Hawthorne, CA. SpaceX was founded under the belief that a future where humanity is out ex... more
8 Days Ago
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