Collect and dump refuse or recyclable materials from containers into truck. May drive truck.
Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors
SOC: 53-7081 O*NET: 53-7081.00
Median Salary
$48,350
per year
Job Growth
📉 0.9%
Slower (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
16.9
projected jobs/year
Education Level
High school diploma or equivalent
Job Zone 2
Collect and dump refuse or recyclable materials from containers into truck. May drive truck.
What does a Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$31,810
10th percentile
Early Career
$38,330
25th percentile
Median
$48,350
50th percentile
Experienced
$61,010
75th percentile
Top Earners
$75,200
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$31,810
25th
$38,330
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$48,350
Mean: $51,210
75th
$61,010
90th
$75,200
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $43,390 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $38,330 and $61,010
- •Salary spread is 46.9% around the median, showing high variation
- •Total national employment: 139,180 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Medium Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:147,900
Top Industries
Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services65.7%
Waste Management and Remediation Services63%
Waste Collection48.8%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:+0.9%
Annual Openings:16,900
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)147,900
Current
2034 (Projected)149,200
+0.9%
+1,300
Employment Change
+0.9%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: More slowly than average
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 50 locations
California
13,240 jobs$61,6500.81x
New York
11,240 jobs$64,5501.31x
Texas
10,720 jobs$45,7100.86x
Florida
9,690 jobs$46,8901.09x
North Carolina
6,460 jobs$40,5001.46x
Pennsylvania
5,800 jobs$42,6901.07x
Ohio
5,000 jobs$48,7301.00x
Illinois
4,940 jobs$61,8800.90x
Georgia
4,790 jobs$43,0001.09x
New Jersey
4,710 jobs$50,7001.23x
Washington
3,890 jobs$71,4401.22x
Virginia
3,720 jobs$46,0801.01x
Michigan
3,680 jobs$59,2900.93x
Colorado
3,410 jobs$60,6101.31x
Indiana
2,980 jobs$59,2601.03x
Understanding the Data
Location Quotient (LQ):
- • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
- • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
- • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average
Data Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024
Key Growth Factors
Standard growth expectations for this occupation
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Operations Monitoring
100%
#2
Operation and Control
40%
Skills Overview
Operations Monitoring
advanced5.0
100%
Operation and Control
basic2.0
40%
Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.
Filter:
Sort by:
Operations Monitoring
advancedImportance100%
skills
5.0/5.0
Operation and Control
basicImportance40%
abilities
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Cleaning, Washing, and Metal Pickling Equipment Operators and Tenders100%
2 shared skills
Rock Splitters, Quarry67%
2 shared skills
Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers50%
2 shared skills
Recycling and Reclamation Workers50%
2 shared skills
Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers50%
1 shared skills
Pressers, Textile, Garment, and Related Materials50%
1 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Operations Monitoring
Senior Level
Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
- •Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
- •Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
- •Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors
Technology Intensity
High
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires advanced digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Proficiency with specialized softwareTechnical documentationData analysis toolsSystem integration
Technology Stack
Technology stack information is being compiled for this career.
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
🏢
Location
MOSTLY INDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
HIGH
👥
Team Orientation
MOSTLY TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
OCCASIONAL
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in mostly indoor environments?
- •Can you meet high physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy mostly team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
14
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
General Responsibilities (11)Operations & Execution (2)Communication & Coordination (1)
1
Inspect trucks prior to beginning routes to ensure safe operating condition.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities100% perform100%
2
Refuel trucks or add other fluids, such as oil or brake fluid.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities97% perform98%
3
Fill out defective equipment reports.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities94% perform96%
4
Drive trucks, following established routes, through residential streets or alleys or through business or industrial areas.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities91% perform94%
5
Operate equipment that compresses collected refuse.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Operations & Execution88% perform92%
6
Operate automated or semi-automated hoisting devices that raise refuse bins and dump contents into openings in truck bodies.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Operations & Execution85% perform90%
7
Dismount garbage trucks to collect garbage and remount trucks to ride to the next collection point.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities82% perform88%
8
Communicate with dispatchers concerning delays, unsafe sites, accidents, equipment breakdowns, or other maintenance problems.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Communication & Coordination79% perform86%
9
Check road or weather conditions to determine how routes will be affected.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities76% perform84%
10
Tag garbage or recycling containers to inform customers of problems, such as excess garbage or inclusion of items that are not permitted.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on general responsibilities activities
- •50% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
- •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors professionals typically have a RCI Holland code and highly value support
RRealistic
CConventional
IInvestigative
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors
Dependability
ImportantDependability
Importance Level3.95
Independence
ImportantIndependence
Importance Level3.74
Cooperation
ImportantCooperation
Importance Level3.62
Complete Work Styles Profile
Dependability
4.0
Independence
3.7
Cooperation
3.6
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
High school diploma or equivalent
Typical duration: High school diploma or GED
Preparation Level
Job Zone 2
Some Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:High school diploma or equivalent
These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work.
Training:
Training of a few months to a year
💼 Experience Requirement
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience
- • Vocational school programs (6 months to 2 years)
- • Industry certifications helpful
2
Job Zone Two: Some Preparation Needed
These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work.
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experienceVocational school programs (6 months to 2 years)Industry certifications helpful
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