Have you ever wondered what crime scene cleaners make and if the job is right for you? If cleaning up crime scenes seems appealing to you, there are many variables to consider first. Crime scene cleaning is a job that requires a certain kind of person, skill, and demeanor. 

Whether crime scene cleaning is a good job or not is subjective and can depend on individual preferences, skills, and experiences.

What is a Crime Scene Cleaner?

A crime scene cleaner, a biohazard remediation technician, is a trained professional who specializes in cleaning and sanitizing crime scenes, accident scenes, and other locations where hazardous materials may be present. Their job involves removing and disposing of hazardous materials, such as blood, bodily fluids, and other biological materials that may contain harmful pathogens.

Crime scene cleaners must follow strict protocols and safety procedures to ensure that they protect themselves and others from exposure to hazardous materials. They use specialized equipment and cleaning agents to thoroughly clean and disinfect the affected areas, and they may also need to remove and dispose of contaminated materials, such as carpeting or furniture.

In addition to crime scenes, biohazard remediation technicians may also be called upon to clean up after suicides, homicides, unattended deaths, hoarding situations, and other traumatic events. They play an important role in restoring the affected areas to a safe and habitable condition, and helping families and communities recover from these difficult situations.

The skillset of a crime scene cleaner requires both soft and technical skills. Crime scene cleaners are often faced with offering condolences to grief stricken family members while also managing biohazardous waste scenes. The utmost consideration for families on traumatic scenes is important, and if a biohazard remediation technician can’t handle the pressure, it can be a bad situation. We are all human, and these things affect us. The question is if an employee can handle that kind of pressure and not let it bother them on a psychological level. 

Factors to Consider

The following are bullet points to consider when thinking about becoming a crime scene cleaner. It’s important to think hard about these specifics and really consider if this job is right for you. Because the work can be emotionally draining and just plain hard, it can also take a toll on your well-being— or maybe not. Again, it depends on the person.

Pros:

Rewarding Work
Crime scene cleaning involves helping people during difficult times and making spaces safe and habitable again. It is possible to give the people you serve a second chance at living in their spaces again.

Everyday is Different
Crime scene cleaners may work on a wide range of sites, from residential homes to commercial properties, and each job can be different. If you are a person who gets bored easily, this could be a great career fit for you.

Security
Unfortunately, crime happens everywhere, so there is always a need for crime scene cleaning services. Biohazard remediation offers job security and constant cash flow. If consistent pay is of the utmost importance to you, you surely won’t run out of work in this field.

Median Salary
As mentioned earlier, the median annual wage for hazardous materials removal workers, which includes crime scene cleaners, is $43,900. This number has changed with inflation over the years, and of course varies based on where you live and who you work for.

Professional Opportunities
Crime scene cleaners can work their way up to supervisory roles or start their own cleaning business. It is common for business savvy folks to begin their own company after spending some time getting experience working for someone else’s. Crime scene cleaning companies not only gain popularity and repertoire for how well they clean, but also how compassionate and kind they can be to their clients. This kind of compassion and fortitude can only be learned through experience on the job.

Cons

Emotionally Exhausting
As previously mentioned, crime scene cleaners often work in environments where traumatic events have occurred, which can be emotionally challenging. Seeing folks in their hardest times of their entire life can be very hard to witness.

Physically Demanding
Cleaning up crime scenes can be physically demanding, with long hours spent on one’s feet and lifting heavy objects. This job requires a lot of physical activity and a ‘can do’ attitude, as sometimes it takes longer to clean things up than expected.

Dangerous
Crime scenes can be contaminated with biological and chemical materials, which can pose health risks if not handled properly. Although biohazardous remediation techs are trained at length to protect themselves, the consequences can be severe if a mistake is made. There is very little room for error when it comes to protecting yourself against contaminants that can become life-threatening.

Wacky Hours
Crime scene cleaners may need to work irregular hours, including overnight and on weekends, to accommodate the needs of their clients. Since accidents don’t happen on a schedule, a crime scene cleaner has to be available on off hours. Chances are, though, that the company you work for will have specific shifts you can count on.

Salary

The salary of a crime scene cleaner can vary depending on factors such as location, level of experience, and the company they work for. However, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), as of May 2020, the median annual wage for hazardous materials removal workers, which includes crime scene cleaners, was $43,900.

The lowest 10 percent of workers in this occupation earned less than $28,350, while the highest 10 percent earned more than $76,080 per year. It’s worth noting that crime scene cleaners may also be paid on an hourly basis, and their hourly rate can range from $15 to $50, depending on the factors mentioned above.

Some people may find crime scene cleaning rewarding and fulfilling, while others may find it emotionally and physically demanding. It is important to carefully consider all factors before deciding if it is the right career path for you.