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Refuse and Recyclable Material Collector

What Does it Take to Be a Refuse and Recyclable Material Collector?

Position Description Collect and dump refuse or recyclable materials from containers into truck. May drive truck.

Life As a Refuse & Recyclable Material Collector: What Do They Do?

  • Tag garbage or recycling containers to inform customers of problems, such as excess garbage or inclusion of items that are not permitted.
  • Check road or weather conditions to determine how routes will be affected.
  • Dismount garbage trucks to collect garbage and remount trucks to ride to the next collection point.
  • Inspect trucks prior to beginning routes to ensure safe operating condition.
  • Fill out defective equipment reports.
  • Dump refuse or recyclable materials at disposal sites.

What a Refuse & Recyclable Material Collector Should Know

When polled, Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors say the following skills are most frequently used in their jobs:

Operation and Control: Controlling operations of equipment or systems.

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.

Coordination: Adjusting actions in relation to others’ actions.

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

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

  • Disposal Man
  • Scrap Metal Collector
  • Trashman
  • Helper/Driver
  • Garbage Person

Job Outlook for Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors

There were about 136,000 jobs for Refuse and Recyclable Material Collector in 2016 (in the United States). 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. There will be an estimated 18,900 positions for Refuse & Recyclable Material Collector per year.

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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.

Refuse & Recyclable Material Collector Salary

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

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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 different U.S. states?

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?

Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors may use on a daily basis:

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

How to Become a Refuse & Recyclable Material Collector

What education or degrees do I need to become a Refuse and Recyclable Material Collector?

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

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Where do Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors Work?

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Below are examples of industries where Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors work:

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Other Jobs You May be Interested In

Those thinking about becoming a Refuse and Recyclable Material Collector might also be interested in the following careers:

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:

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