Find Trade Colleges
What Do Recycling and Reclamation Worker Do?
Job Description: Prepare and sort materials or products for recycling. Identify and remove hazardous substances. Dismantle components of products such as appliances.
Daily Life Of a Recycling & Reclamation Worker
- Sort materials, such as metals, glass, wood, paper or plastics, into appropriate containers for recycling.
- Operate shredders to reclaim steel from discarded appliances.
- Collect and sort recyclable construction materials, such as concrete, drywall, plastics, or wood, into containers.
- Clean materials, such as metals, according to recycling requirements.
- Operate processing equipment, such as fiber-sorters and grinders, to sort, crush, or grind recyclable materials.
- Operate automated refuse or manual recycling collection vehicles.
Featured schools near , edit
What a Recycling & Reclamation Worker Should Know
Recycling and Reclamation Workers state the following job skills are important in their day-to-day work.
Operation and Control: Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
Operation Monitoring: Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Related Job Titles for this Occupation:
- Machine Operator
- Shredding Specialist
- Deconstruction and Decontamination Operator
- Auto Dismantler
- Forklift Driver (Team Lead Driver) Recycling and Waste Dock
Job Demand for Recycling and Reclamation Workers
There were about 263,500 jobs for Recycling and Reclamation Worker in 2016 (in the United States). New jobs are being produced at a rate of 4.4% which is below the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 11,600 new jobs for Recycling and Reclamation Worker by 2026. The BLS estimates 31,400 yearly job openings in this field.
The states with the most job growth for Recycling & Reclamation Worker are Nevada, Florida, and Utah. Watch out if you plan on working in Delaware, Maine, or Alaska. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Average Recycling and Reclamation Workers Salary
The average yearly salary of a Recycling & Reclamation Worker ranges between $20,140 and $55,910.
Recycling and Reclamation Workers who work in Wyoming, Alaska, or New Mexico, make the highest salaries.
How much do Recycling and Reclamation Workers make in different U.S. states?
State | Annual Mean Salary |
---|---|
Alabama | $28,700 |
Alaska | $56,120 |
Arizona | $37,420 |
Arkansas | $30,450 |
California | $34,400 |
Colorado | $35,420 |
Connecticut | $36,610 |
District of Columbia | $55,860 |
Florida | $28,220 |
Georgia | $30,030 |
Hawaii | $30,260 |
Idaho | $29,640 |
Illinois | $36,920 |
Indiana | $37,710 |
Iowa | $43,290 |
Kansas | $28,950 |
Kentucky | $28,520 |
Louisiana | $38,140 |
Maine | $34,510 |
Maryland | $36,850 |
Massachusetts | $37,970 |
Michigan | $38,980 |
Minnesota | $37,930 |
Mississippi | $28,030 |
Missouri | $31,610 |
Montana | $33,320 |
Nebraska | $27,990 |
Nevada | $36,910 |
New Hampshire | $34,340 |
New Jersey | $33,160 |
New Mexico | $50,040 |
New York | $36,960 |
North Carolina | $32,350 |
North Dakota | $34,200 |
Ohio | $35,750 |
Oklahoma | $31,400 |
Oregon | $34,610 |
Pennsylvania | $39,650 |
Rhode Island | $36,540 |
South Carolina | $35,660 |
South Dakota | $46,940 |
Tennessee | $31,000 |
Texas | $33,240 |
Utah | $30,150 |
Vermont | $32,590 |
Virginia | $30,080 |
Washington | $35,250 |
West Virginia | $29,570 |
Wisconsin | $34,000 |
Wyoming | $54,480 |
Tools & Technologies Used by Recycling and Reclamation Workers
Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Recycling and Reclamation Workers may use on a daily basis:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Work scheduling software
How to Become a Recycling & Reclamation Worker
Are there Recycling and Reclamation Workers education requirements?
How many years of work experience do I need?
References:
More about our data sources and methodologies.