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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.
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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.
Related Job Titles
- 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.
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.
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?
How Long Does it Take to Become a Refuse & Recyclable Material Collector?
Where do Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors Work?
Below are examples of industries where Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors work:
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:
More about our data sources and methodologies.