• Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors
  • Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources
  • Annual Median Wage
    $ 45,943
    $27,323 range bar $49,511
    Annual NC Wage Range
    Growth Rate
    Image of growth rate score 5
    Very Fast Growing
  • Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors gather garbage and recyclables and move the materials to a dump, landfill, or recycling center. Some collectors drive the garbage or recycling truck along a scheduled route.

What do they typically do

  • Dump refuse or recyclable materials at disposal sites
  • Operate automated or semi-automated hoisting devices that raise refuse bins and dump contents into openings in truck bodies
  • Communicate with dispatchers about delays, unsafe sites, accidents, equipment breakdowns, or other maintenance problems
  • Operate equipment that compresses collected trash
  • Refuel trucks or add other fluids, such as oil or brake fluid
  • Drive trucks on established routes through residential streets or alleys or through business or industrial areas
  • Get off of garbage trucks to collect garbage and get back on to ride to the next collection point
  • Inspect trucks before starting routes to make sure they are in safe operating condition

Number of Jobs

Average Annual
Job Growth +1.8%
Job Openings 365

Job Listings

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Education & Training

  • Education

    These occupations usually require a high school diploma.
    Associated Programs or Majors
    License
    More
Private Training Programs
2144

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