Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors
Collect and dump refuse or recyclable materials from containers into truck. May drive truck.
Also called: Front Load Trash Truck Driver · Garbage Man · Recycle Driver · Refuse Collector · Roll Off Container Truck Driver · Roll Off Truck Driver
Median pay (national)
$48,350
$31,810–$75,200 (10th–90th)
Employed (US)
139,180
BLS OEWS, May 2024
Outlook 2024–34
+0.9%
~16,900 openings/yr
Typical entry
No formal educational credential
What the numbers say
Refit analysis ·Pay for refuse and recyclable material collectors shows a broad range: the top 10% earn $75,200 versus $31,810 at the bottom 10% — 2.4x. The median of $48,350 leaves roughly 56% of headroom to the 90th percentile, which is where seniority, specialization, and the skills below tend to pay off.
Refit analysis ·Employment is projected to change +0.9% from 2024 to 2034 — slower than the 3% all-occupation average. Even so, BLS projects about 16,900 openings a year, mostly to replace workers who retire or change careers.
Refit analysis ·Where you work moves the number a lot. Across the 52 states with released data, Washington pays the most for this role (median $71,440, +48% vs the national median), while Puerto Rico sits lowest at $19,760 — a 262% spread for the same job title.
Refit analysis ·O*NET rates Active Listening, Speaking, Critical Thinking as the highest-importance skills here — so a resume aimed at this role should lead with evidence of those, not a generic skills list.
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Top skills employers ask for
Ranked by O*NET importance for this occupation.
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Critical Thinking
- Reading Comprehension
- Writing
- Monitoring
- Active Learning
- Learning Strategies
- Mathematics
- Science
What they actually do
Core O*NET tasks for this role.
- 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.
- Dump refuse or recyclable materials at disposal sites.
- Dismount garbage trucks to collect garbage and remount trucks to ride to the next collection point.
- Operate equipment that compresses collected refuse.
- Communicate with dispatchers concerning delays, unsafe sites, accidents, equipment breakdowns, or other maintenance problems.
Tools & technology
- AMCS Platform
- Computerized maintenance management system CMMS
- Dossier software
- Fleet management software
- Global positioning system GPS software
- Mileage logging software
- Payroll software
- Routeware software
- Squeegee
- WAM software
Knowledge areas
- Mechanical
- English Language
- Transportation
- Customer and Personal Service
- Public Safety and Security
- Administration and Management
- Telecommunications
- Computers and Electronics