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Careers›Roles›Decontaminator
Mid-Level

Decontaminator

Some messes are dangerous to be near, and you handle them: removing and neutralizing chemical, biological, or radioactive contamination under strict protocol. Where procedure is the difference between safe and not.

Career Level
Junior
Mid
Senior
Director
VP
Executive
Work Personality
R
C
I
S
E
A
Realistichands-on, practical
Conventionalorganizing, detail-oriented
Based on Holland Code framework
Industries that often hire Decontaminators
Energy & Utilities · 63%Professional Services · 17%Administrative Services · 9%Manufacturing · 6%Healthcare · 2%Government · 2%
Job markets for Decontaminators
Employment concentration · ~5 areas
Based on employment in related occupations
Mapped SOC categories:
Science
BLS Occupational Employment Statistics
Jump to:What it's likeCareer pathsBy the numbers
What it's like

What it's like to be a Decontaminator

The work means donning protective gear, following decontamination procedures exactly, and verifying that an area or item is safe. The protocols exist for deadly serious reasons, and a shortcut can expose you or others. Much of it is methodical, physical work in heavy gear.

What's harder than it looks is the discipline the danger demands: there's no improvising around contamination. The work can be physically taxing and stressful, training and certification are required, and exposure risk is real if procedure slips. Settings span healthcare, industry, labs, and emergency response.

Disciplined, calm, and exacting about safety: that's who fits. If you chafe at rules or want loose, fast work, the rigor won't suit. But if you respect the stakes and take pride in making dangerous things safe, the work tends to carry real, steady purpose.

What people in this role value
SupportHigh
RelationshipsAbove avg
IndependenceModerate
AchievementModerate
Working ConditionsModerate
RecognitionLower
O*NET Work Values survey
✦ Editorial — written by Truest from industry research and career patterns
Career Paths

Where this role sits in the broader career landscape — and where it can take you.

Earning potential across this track
$239K$179K$119K$60K$0KLower paying387 metro areas, sorted by salary level
All experience levels1
This level's estimated range
INDUSTRIES PAYING ABOVE AVERAGE
Professional Services$92K+15%
Technology & Information$91K+13%
Energy & Utilities$82K+2%
Financial Services$81K+2%
Wholesale & Distribution$79K-1%
Compared to Science average across all industries
1 BLS OEWS May 2024 covers all Decontaminators (SOC 19-4051.02), not just this title · BEA RPP 2023
* Top salaries exceed this figure. BLS caps reported wages at ~$240K to protect individual privacy in high-earning roles.
Related rolesExplore Science →
DecontaminatorRadiation TechnicianRadiation MonitorNuclear TechnicianRadiochemical TechnicianChemical Radiation TechnicianHealth Physics Technician (HP Tech)
Exploring the Decontaminator career path? Truest helps you figure out if it's the right fit — and plan your path forward.
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✦ Editorial — career progression and interview guidance based on industry patterns
The Broader Landscape

Roles like this one sit within a broader occupational category. The numbers below reflect that full landscape — helpful for context, but your specific experience will depend on level, specialty, and where you work.

$64K–$127K
Salary Range
10th – 90th percentile
6K
U.S. Employment
-7.7%
10yr Growth
700
Annual Openings

How this category is changing

$77K$74K$71K$68K$65K201920202021202220232024$65K$77K
BLS OEWS May 2024 · BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034

Skills & Requirements

MonitoringCritical ThinkingActive ListeningOperations MonitoringReading ComprehensionSpeakingJudgment and Decision MakingInstructingScienceQuality Control Analysis
O*NET OnLine · Bureau of Labor Statistics
Mapped SOC Codes
19-4051.02

Explore related roles

Roles with similar work and overlapping career paths

midRadiation Technician$91KmidRadiation Monitor$81KmidNuclear Technician$104KmidRadiochemical Technician$104KmidChemical Radiation Technician$104KmidHealth Physics Technician (HP Tech)$104K
View all Science roles →

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Federal data: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics (May 2024) · BLS Employment Projections · O*NET OnLine
Truest editorial: Fit check, role profile, things that vary, advancement analysis, lateral moves, interview questions.