Career Definition for a Refuse Collector
A refuse collector primarily picks up trash and recyclables along designated routes through a town or city. They drive garbage or recycling trucks and operate hydraulic lifts to pick up containers. Some refuse collectors must manually deposit trash into garbage trucks that do not have hydraulic equipment. Most refuse collectors work during early morning hours.
A refuse collector might be employed by a private waste disposal company or by city public works departments.
| Required Education | No formal education; training requirements vary by state |
| Skills Required | Mechanical knowledge, time management, coordination, good physical condition, customer service |
| Median Salary (2021)* | $42,780 (refuse and recyclable material collectors) |
| Job Outlook (2021-2031)* | 5% (refuse and recyclable material collectors) |
Source: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Required Education and Training
No college degree is needed to become a refuse collector. In most locations, a commercial driver's license (CDL) is required to drive and operate a garbage truck. Some states require completion of a driving course before issuing a CDL. In some states, hazardous material (HAZMAT) training may be required. Completion of an employer training program, which includes health and safety training as established by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), might also be necessary before one can become a refuse collector.
Skills Required
Refuse collectors should have good mechanical, time management and coordination skills. They should be in good physical condition and have the ability to work in various and changing weather conditions. Customer service skills are also important since some refuse collectors might occasionally need to interact with the public.
Career and Economic Outlook
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment opportunities for recyclable material and refuse collectors are expected to increase by 5% between 2021 and 2031. While automation has resulted in a slight decrease in opportunities for refuse collectors, high turnover rates and an increase in recycling practices continue to create opportunities. Refuse and recyclable material collectors accounted for about 138,700 of the 6.4 million workers in hand labor and material moving occupations in the United States in 2021. The BLS reported that the median annual salary for refuse and recyclable material collectors was $42,780 as of May 2021.
Alternative Career Options
Some skills necessary to become a refuse collector will help prepare you for jobs in other areas.
Construction Laborer
Like refuse collectors, construction laborers perform physically demanding work in the outdoors. Although there are no formal education requirements for construction laborers, apprenticeship programs are available. Additionally, construction laborers who work with specific materials, such as asbestos, or with specific equipment may be required to become licensed or certified. According to the BLS, jobs for construction laborers are projected to increase by 4% over the 2021-2031 decade. These workers earned a median annual salary of $44,130 as of May 2021.
Delivery Truck Driver
For those who are interested in operating the refuse truck, but prefer not to handle the refuse, becoming a delivery truck driver may be a good option. Delivery truck drivers may have regular routes where they deliver packages or other cargo, or they may go on varied routes depending on the situation. There is no specific education requirement to become a delivery truck driver, but these drivers must have a driver's license, and they are often trained on the job. The BLS reported that these workers earned a median annual salary of $42,630 as of May 2021. Employment for delivery truck drivers is expected to increase by 11% during the 2021-2031 decade, according to the BLS.