Career Definition of a Recycling Worker
Recycling workers are the individuals who process recyclable materials. They may be responsible for separating different materials and grouping things together based on what they're made of. This can involve taking some products apart and separating their components. It's also common for recycling workers to operate equipment, such as forklifts, to move materials for processing.
As part of their duties when they sort through recyclable goods they must ensure that hazardous materials are separated. They are responsible for keeping a clean work area and this can also be important for workplace safety. Since they work with metals and glass they need to make sure that these types of materials don't drop on the floor where someone could be harmed by stepping on them. They are also responsible for cleaning the equipment that they use and maintaining the equipment so that it works properly.
| Educational Requirements | High school diploma or GED |
| Job Skills | Physical fitness, stamina, attention to detail, safety conscious, mechanical skills, communication skills |
| Median Salary (2020)* | $31,420 (production workers, all other) |
| Job Outlook (2020-2030)* | 8% (production workers, all other) |
Source: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Required Education
Recycling workers do not have strict educational requirements. It's possible to pursue this type of work with a high school diploma or GED. Some individuals do opt to complete an associate's degree before entering this field, which may help increase their prospects if they want to pursue advancement to a role as a recycling coordinator.
Required Skills
Recycling workers need to stand for long periods of time so they must have physical stamina. They need physical strength in order to lift heavy materials, which is a regular duty throughout their day. They may be responsible for operating forklifts and other type of equipment so mechanical skills are an asset. Since they interact regularly with other recycling workers they need to have good communication skills. There can be hazards in their workplace so it's important for them to prioritize workplace safety and pay attention to details in order to eliminate hazards or prevent accidents.
Career Outlook and Salary
The listing for 'production workers, all other' is used by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) for recycling workers. Although the average job growth rate the BLS expects for all occupations from 2020 to 2030 is 8%, the BLS only expects this job field to experience an 8% growth rate as well. As of 2020, the BLS reported that employees working in this field earned a median income of $31,420 per year.
Related Careers
Those considering becoming recycling workers may also be interested in being refuse collectors, forklift operators or custodians, or they may wish to consider advancement options to roles such as being a warehouse manager. Learn more about these occupations that share similar duties or skill requirements by following the links below.
