How to become a refuse and recyclable material collector
Collect and dump refuse or recyclable materials from containers into truck. May drive truck.
Steps to get there
Most employers expect usually requires a high school diploma or ged, though some occupations may not..Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
What refuse and recyclable material collectors do
- Inspect trucks prior to beginning routes to ensure safe operating condition.
- Fill out defective equipment reports.
- Operate automated or semi-automated hoisting devices that raise refuse bins and dump contents into openings in truck bodies.
- Clean trucks or compactor bodies after routes have been completed.
- Drive trucks, following established routes, through residential streets or alleys or through business or industrial areas.
- Refuel trucks or add other fluids, such as oil or brake fluid.
Skills that matter most
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Critical Thinking
- Reading Comprehension
- Writing
- Monitoring
- Active Learning
- Learning Strategies
Is refuse and recyclable material collector a good career?
On the numbers, this job is close to the average across occupations. Median pay is 3% below the all-occupation median. Whether it fits you depends on the work itself, the schooling you are willing to do and where you want to live.
Where it pays most
- Illinois $75,050
- Washington $74,620
- New York $64,950
- California $64,890
- Oregon $63,210
Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors salary by state and city
Sources: O*NET® 31.0 (CC BY 4.0, USDOL/ETA) and BLS Employment Projections 2025–35. Pay: BLS OEWS May 2025.