Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors
Median salary, education path, job outlook, and related careers — based on U.S. labor data.
Median salary
$49,690/yr
Typical range
$39,080 – $62,020
Education
High school diploma
Time to entry
No degree required — short-term training or on-the-job learning
What a Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors does
You operate trucks and equipment to collect trash and recyclable materials from homes and businesses, then transport them to disposal or processing facilities. This essential work keeps communities clean and supports environmental sustainability.
Education & path
The typical entry point is a high school diploma. No degree required — short-term training or on-the-job learning.
Estimated cost of that path: No degree cost. Estimates only — actual cost varies widely by school and financial aid; payback assumes ~20% of income applied.
Related careers
- Recycling and Reclamation Workers — $40,240/yr
- Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand — $40,240/yr
- Stockers and Order Fillers — $37,330/yr
- Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers — $58,640/yr
- Light Truck Drivers — $44,860/yr
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