There was an error. Please try again.
This page is already listed in your guide. Please choose a different page to add.
Environmental Technician/Technologist, Hazardous Waste Technician, Laboratory Technician/Technologist, Waste Management Specialist
In Canada, the federal government groups and organizes occupations based on a National Occupational Classification (NOC) system. This alis occupation may not reflect the entire NOC group it is part of. Data for the NOC group can apply across multiple occupations.
The NOC system is updated every 5 years to reflect changes in the labour market. Government forms and labour market data may group and refer to an occupation differently, depending on the system used.
Here is how this occupation has been classified over time.
2006 NOC
2006 NOC-S
2011 NOC
2016 NOC
2021 NOC
2023 OaSIS
Hazardous waste management involves preventing and reducing the use of hazardous materials, reducing or eliminating the production of hazardous waste, reusing materials and disposing of hazardous waste safely.
Duties and responsibilities vary from one position to another but, in general, hazardous waste management technologists:
Hazardous waste management technologists often work in cooperation with environmental engineers to develop new methods of dealing with hazardous waste.
Working conditions vary. Hazardous waste management technologists may work in office environments or around dirty, noisy industrial sites. Depending on the circumstances, they may be required to wear personal protective equipment, work outdoors in all kinds of weather, travel frequently (sometimes internationally) or lift equipment weighing up to or over 20 kilograms. They may also be required to work for extended periods of time in emergency response situations.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2023 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
To find out how well this occupation fits your work personality types, complete the Work Personalities Quiz in Find Your Fit.
Click or tap a personality type for its description.
Find other alis occupations that match this occupation’s work personalities.
To identify or change your work personalities, complete the Work Personalities Quiz in Find Your Fit.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2023 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
Public and environmental health and safety professionals
2023 OaSIS: 21120.00
The graph below shows how well your scores match the overall abilities for this occupation.
The closer your ability scores are to the center, the more they match this occupation’s. The further away they are, the less they match this occupation’s.
The lower your ability scores are compared to the occupation’s, the more challenging the occupation will likely be for you. The higher your ability scores are compared to the occupation’s, the less challenging the occupation will likely be for you.
To find out how well this occupation fits your abilities, complete the Abilities Quiz in Find Your Fit.
The 49 abilities are grouped into 5 abilities sets: Critical Thinking, Numbers and Patterns, Physical Activity, Mind-Body Coordination, and Senses.
Some abilities are more relevant to an occupation than other abilities. Individual abilities that are not relevant to an occupation are greyed out.
To fill in or change the values for your abilities, complete the Abilities Quiz in Find Your Fit.
Critical Thinking includes 9 abilities related to identifying and solving problems, thinking of ideas, and communication, such as speaking and writing.
This is how well your scores match the set of Critical Thinking abilities for this occupation:
Numbers and Patterns includes 10 abilities related to math, memorizing, and multitasking. It also includes how we perceive patterns, shapes, and distances.
This is how well your scores match the set of Numbers and Patterns abilities for this occupation:
Physical Activity includes 9 abilities related to strength, balance, flexibility, coordination, and endurance.
This is how well your scores match the set of Physical Activity abilities for this occupation:
Mind-Body Coordination includes 9 abilities related to movement control and how we react to signals. It also includes fine motor skills, such finger and hand dexterity and hand-eye coordination.
This is how well your scores match the set of Mind-Body Coordination abilities for this occupation:
Senses includes 12 abilities related to seeing, hearing, and speaking.
This is how well your scores match the set of Senses abilities for this occupation:
Hazardous waste management technologists need:
They should enjoy taking a methodical approach to their work, analyzing data, finding innovative solutions to problems and directing the work of others.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
This chart shows which job skills are currently in highest demand for this occupational group. It was created using this occupation's 101 most recent Alberta job postings, collected between Apr 26, 2023 and Oct 29, 2025.
Review these skills to learn:
| Tasks: Inspect workplaces for safety or health hazards | 73 |
|---|---|
| Tasks: Ensure health and safety regulations are followed | 71 |
| Tasks: Develop and implement health and safety plans | 66 |
| Attention to detail | 60 |
| Construction Specialization: Excellent oral communication | 55 |
| Computer and Technology Knowledge: MS Excel | 55 |
| Tasks: Investigate workplace accidents or illnesses | 54 |
| Construction Specialization: Team player | 53 |
| Tasks: Provide information/training to employers, employees and general public | 53 |
| Construction Specialization: Flexibility | 50 |
Hazardous waste management technologists must be:
Hazardous waste management technologists may acquire the required skills and knowledge through a variety of educational routes combined with on-the-job training. For example, they may take a related 2-year diploma program (such as environmental science or natural resource management) or a related 3 or 4-year degree program (such as a bachelor of science degree in biology, chemistry or environmental science). Hazardous waste management technologists employed in mid-level positions may require a master's or a doctoral degree.
The following hazardous material courses may be required or recommended:
The following schools offer programs or courses that are related to this occupation but are not required to enter the field.
To expand or narrow your program options, visit Post-Secondary Programs and start your search with:
Completing a program does not guarantee entrance into an occupation. Before enrolling in an education program, prospective students should look into various sources for education options and employment possibilities. For example, contact associations and employers in this field.
There is currently no provincial legislation regulating this occupation in Alberta.
Source: 2021-2025 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook
Hazardous waste management technologists are employed by the following types of organizations:
Some employers may require applicants to have a clean driving record.
Hazardous waste management technologists employed in larger organizations may advance to supervisory positions. Obtaining a bachelor's, master's or doctoral degree in science or environmental engineering usually is required to move into management, consulting or professional roles such as hazardous materials engineer, recycling manager or environmental auditor.
This section shows the industries where the majority of people in this occupation work. The data is based on the 2016 Census.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.
Inspectors in public and environmental health and occupational health and safety
2016 NOC: 2263
75.6% of people in this occupational group work in:
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.
This section shows the Alberta job market condition, or short-term demand forecast, for this occupation over a 3-year period. It also shows the number of people employed in the occupation.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2021 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.
Source: 2024-2026 Alberta Short-Term Employment Forecast
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.
To see data for all occupations, visit Occupations in Demand.
This section shows the employment outlook for this occupation in Alberta over a 5-year period.
Employment outlook is influenced by a wide variety of factors including:
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.
Source: 2021-2025 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook
Annual growth is from 2021 to 2025. New positions created each year are in addition to job openings created by employment turnover.
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.
Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2021 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
Unless otherwise noted, the data shown here is for all industries and all regions in Alberta.
All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production), and other forms of compensation.
To see the full survey data for this NOC group, visit the wage profile.
Other wage sources
To make an informed wage and salary decision, research other wage sources to supplement this data.
High Reliability, represents a CV of less than or equal to 6.00% and 30 survey observations and/or represents 50% or more of all estimated employment for the occupation.
| Wages* | Low (5th percentile) | High (95th percentile) | Average | Median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting | $22.60 | $53.91 | $38.31 | $40.31 |
| Overall | $24.96 | $63.70 | $47.57 | $49.55 |
| Top | $31.25 | $92.31 | $55.21 | $55.63 |
Swipe left and right to view all data. Scroll left and right to view all data.
* All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production) and other forms of compensation.
Pay brackets for hourly wages
| ALL INDUSTRIES | $95,481 |
|---|---|
| Manufacturing | $120,824 |
| Professional, Scientific & Technical Services | $88,693 |
| Business, Building and Other Support Services | $78,738 |
| Health Care & Social Assistance | $101,677 |
| Public Administration | $93,244 |
Association of Science and Engineering Technology Professionals of Alberta (ASET) website: aset.ab.ca
Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Alberta (APEGA) website: www.apega.ca
Association of the Chemical Profession of Alberta (ACPA) website: www.pchem.ca
Canadian Environmental Certification Approvals Board (CECAB) website: cecab.org
ECO Canada website: www.eco.ca
Environmental Services Association of Alberta website: esaa.org
Alberta Construction Safety Association website: www.youracsa.ca
Get information and referrals about career, education, and employment options from Alberta Supports.
Updated Mar 03, 2021. The information contained in this profile is current as of the dates shown. Salary, employment outlook, and educational program information may change without notice. It is advised that you confirm this information before making any career decisions.
