Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors
Job Zone 2 - Some preparation needed
Collect and dump refuse or recyclable materials from containers into truck. May drive truck.
Median pay: $49,690/yr (U.S. national, May 2025)
Typical range nationwide (10th–90th percentile). This is a population snapshot, not a personal prediction - actual pay varies by location, employer, and experience.
Job outlook: +0.9% projected growth, 2024–2034 — slower than average.
About 16,900 openings per year, on average, over the decade.
Typical entry-level education: No formal educational credential.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS and Employment Projections.
• Inspect trucks prior to beginning routes to ensure safe operating condition.
• Drive trucks, following established routes, through residential streets or alleys or through business or industrial areas.
• Refuel trucks or add other fluids, such as oil or brake fluid.
• Dump refuse or recyclable materials at disposal sites.
• Fill out defective equipment reports.
• Operate automated or semi-automated hoisting devices that raise refuse bins and dump contents into openings in truck bodies.
• Dismount garbage trucks to collect garbage and remount trucks to ride to the next collection point.
• Operate equipment that compresses collected refuse.
What's the median pay for Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors?
The median pay for Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors is $49,690 per year, per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
What's the job outlook for Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors?
Employment for Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors is projected to change +0.9% from 2024 to 2034 - slower than average.
What education is typically required for Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors?
Typical entry-level education: No formal educational credential.
How many job openings are there each year for Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors?
About 16,900 openings per year, on average, over the decade.