Life As a Refuse and Recyclable Material Collector
Example of Refuse & Recyclable Material Collector Job 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.
- Make special pickups of recyclable materials, such as food scraps, used oil, discarded computers, or other electronic items.
- Sort items set out for recycling and throw materials into designated truck compartments.
- Operate equipment that compresses collected refuse.
- Dismount garbage trucks to collect garbage and remount trucks to ride to the next collection point.
- Communicate with dispatchers concerning delays, unsafe sites, accidents, equipment breakdowns, or other maintenance problems.
Featured schools near , edit
Refuse & Recyclable Material Collector Required Skills
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.
Related Job Titles for this Occupation:
- Refuse Driver
- Recycle Worker
- Sanitation Truck Driver
- Residential Driver
- Dumpman
Is There Going to be Demand for Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors?
In 2016, there was an estimated number of 136,000 jobs in the United States for Refuse and Recyclable Material Collector. 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. The BLS estimates 18,900 yearly job openings in this field.

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.
Salary for a Refuse & Recyclable Material Collector
The typical yearly salary for Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors is somewhere between $22,290 and $66,020.

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
Becoming a Refuse & Recyclable Material Collector
Education needed to be a Refuse and Recyclable Material Collector:

How many years of work experience do I need?

Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors Sector

The table below shows the approximate number of Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors employed by various industries.

You May Also Be Interested In…
Those thinking about becoming a Refuse and Recyclable Material Collector might also be interested in the following careers:
Career changers with experience as a Refuse and Recyclable Material Collector sometimes find work in one of the following fields:
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 > |