What You Need to Know About Recycling and Reclamation Worker
Example of Recycling & Reclamation Worker Job Prepare and sort materials or products for recycling. Identify and remove hazardous substances. Dismantle components of products such as appliances.
A Day in the Life of a Recycling & Reclamation Worker
- Operate processing equipment, such as fiber-sorters and grinders, to sort, crush, or grind recyclable materials.
- Operate shredders to reclaim steel from discarded appliances.
- Operate balers to compress recyclable materials into bundles or bales.
- Deposit recoverable materials into chutes or place materials on conveyor belts.
- Clean recycling yard by sweeping, raking, picking up broken glass and loose paper debris, or moving barrels and bins.
- Sort materials, such as metals, glass, wood, paper or plastics, into appropriate containers for recycling.
Featured schools near , edit
Recycling & Reclamation Worker Required Skills
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.
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.
Operation Monitoring: Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
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.
Types of Recycling and Reclamation Worker
- Reclamation Worker
- Recyclable Materials Sorter
- Household Hazardous Waste Recycling Worker
- Refuse Laborer
- Forklift Driver (Team Lead Driver) Recycling and Waste Dock
What Kind of Recycling & Reclamation Worker Job Opportunities Are There?
In the United States, there were 263,500 jobs for Recycling and Reclamation Worker in 2016. 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. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 31,400 job openings in this field each year.

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.
Do Recycling and Reclamation Workers Make A Lot Of Money?
Recycling and Reclamation Workers make between $20,140 and $55,910 a year.

Recycling and Reclamation Workers who work in Wyoming, Alaska, or New Mexico, make the highest salaries.
Below is a list of the median annual salaries for Recycling and Reclamation Workers 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
What kind of Recycling and Reclamation Worker requirements are there?

How many years of work experience do I need?

Who Employs Recycling and Reclamation Workers?

The table below shows some of the most common industries where those employed in this career field work.

References:
More about our data sources and methodologies.
Featured Schools
![]() |
Southern New Hampshire University You have goals. Southern New Hampshire University can help you get there. Whether you need a bachelor's degree to get into a career or want a master's degree to move up in your current career, SNHU has an online program for you. Find your degree from over 200 online programs. Learn More > |