Find Trade Colleges

Refuse and Recyclable Material Collector

What is a Refuse and Recyclable Material Collector?

Refuse & Recyclable Material Collector Example Collect and dump refuse or recyclable materials from containers into truck. May drive truck.

List of Refuse & Recyclable Material Collector Job Duties

  • Tag garbage or recycling containers to inform customers of problems, such as excess garbage or inclusion of items that are not permitted.
  • Communicate with dispatchers concerning delays, unsafe sites, accidents, equipment breakdowns, or other maintenance problems.
  • Refuel trucks or add other fluids, such as oil or brake fluid.
  • Fill out defective equipment reports.
  • Inspect trucks prior to beginning routes to ensure safe operating condition.
  • Clean trucks or compactor bodies after routes have been completed.

Qualities of a Refuse & Recyclable Material Collector

Below is a list of the skills most Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors say are important on the job.

Operation and Control: Controlling operations of equipment or systems.

Coordination: Adjusting actions in relation to others’ actions.

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.

Equipment Maintenance: Performing routine maintenance on equipment and determining when and what kind of maintenance is needed.

Operation Monitoring: Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.

Types of Refuse and Recyclable Material Collector

  • Solid Waste Collector
  • Solid Waste Truck Driver
  • Wasteman
  • Thrower
  • Limb Driver

Job Outlook for Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors

In the United States, there were 136,000 jobs for Refuse and Recyclable Material Collector in 2016. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 13.2% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 17,900 new jobs for Refuse and Recyclable Material Collector by 2026. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 18,900 job openings in this field each year.

undefined

The states with the most job growth for Refuse & Recyclable Material Collector are Utah, Missouri, and Georgia. Watch out if you plan on working in Alaska, Tennessee, or New Jersey. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.

Average Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors Salary

The salary for Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors ranges between about $22,290 and $66,020 a year.

undefined

Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors who work in Illinois, New York, or Washington, make the highest salaries.

How much do Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors make in each U.S. state?

State Annual Mean Salary
Alabama $31,080
Alaska $48,000
Arizona $39,960
Arkansas $29,090
California $53,730
Colorado $40,780
Connecticut $44,290
Delaware $40,840
Florida $36,460
Georgia $32,390
Hawaii $37,290
Idaho $35,670
Illinois $57,680
Indiana $33,840
Iowa $33,460
Kansas $32,420
Kentucky $30,200
Louisiana $33,300
Maine $30,800
Maryland $30,890
Massachusetts $44,020
Michigan $41,880
Minnesota $40,240
Mississippi $26,310
Missouri $33,020
Montana $38,840
Nebraska $33,030
Nevada $38,420
New Hampshire $33,110
New Jersey $36,730
New Mexico $32,790
New York $56,710
North Carolina $29,370
North Dakota $33,030
Ohio $37,970
Oklahoma $34,150
Oregon $44,650
Pennsylvania $37,640
Rhode Island $36,620
South Carolina $24,920
South Dakota $26,750
Tennessee $30,060
Texas $34,500
Utah $38,970
Vermont $34,020
Virginia $35,510
Washington $51,780
West Virginia $28,860
Wisconsin $41,330
Wyoming $37,150

What Tools do Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors Use?

Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors:

  • Computerized maintenance management system CMMS
  • Global positioning system GPS software
  • Payroll software

How do I Become a Refuse & Recyclable Material Collector?

Are there Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors education requirements?

undefined

How Long Does it Take to Become a Refuse & Recyclable Material Collector?

undefined

Similar Careers

Those interested in being a Refuse and Recyclable Material Collector may also be interested in:

Are you already one of the many Refuse and Recyclable Material Collector in the United States? If you’re thinking about changing careers, these fields are worth exploring:

References:

Image Credit: via

More about our data sources and methodologies.

Find Trade Schools Near You

Our free school finder matches students with accredited trade schools across the U.S.