Recycling and Reclamation Workers

SOC code 53-7062 · O*NET-SOC 53-7062.04 · Little to some preparation needed · Transportation

Bright Outlook — O*NET expects numerous job openings for this occupation

Recycling and reclamation workers sort and process recyclable materials at collection points and materials recovery facilities. The work is physical and the entry requirements minimal, and sorting-line and equipment experience leads to operator and lead roles.

Recycling and Reclamation Workers pay

U.S. national figures, May 2025 BLS survey · How we got this number

Median pay

$40,240

a year

Hourly

$19.35

per hour

10th$31,270Median$40,24090th$55,140

The solid band is the middle 50% of workers; the bar spans the 10th to 90th percentile.

Average pay

$42,260

$20.32 per hour

Middle 50%

$36,090 – $46,920

25th to 75th percentile

Full spread

$31,270 – $55,140

10th to 90th percentile

People employed

2,950,280

nationwide

National U.S. figure, May 2025. Local pay can be higher or lower.

These pay and employment figures are for the broader BLS group “Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand”, not this job alone.

10th percentile: $31,270; $15.03/hr
25th percentile: $36,090; $17.35/hr
Median percentile: $40,240; $19.35/hr
75th percentile: $46,920; $22.56/hr
90th percentile: $55,140; $26.51/hr

What do recycling and reclamation workers do?

Prepare and sort materials or products for recycling. Identify and remove hazardous substances. Dismantle components of products such as appliances.

The tasks that matter most day to day

Collect and sort recyclable construction materials, such as concrete, drywall, plastics, or wood, into containers.
Sort materials, such as metals, glass, wood, paper or plastics, into appropriate containers for recycling.
Extract chemicals from discarded appliances, such as air conditioners or refrigerators, using specialized machinery, such as refrigerant recovery equipment.
Deposit recoverable materials into chutes or place materials on conveyor belts.
Clean recycling yard by sweeping, raking, picking up broken glass and loose paper debris, or moving barrels and bins.
Operate balers to compress recyclable materials into bundles or bales.
Clean materials, such as metals, according to recycling requirements.
Operate forklifts, pallet jacks, power lifts, or front-end loaders to load bales, bundles, or other heavy items onto trucks for shipping to smelters or other recycled materials processing facilities.

How to qualify for this work

Most people in this role hold high school diploma or the equivalent (such as a ged) — 74% of workers surveyed reported it as their level of education.

Preparation level: zone 2 — Little to some preparation needed

Education: Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
Experience: Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
Training: Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training.

See all zone 2 occupations →

Education reported by people doing this job

High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)74%
Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree15%
Doctoral Degree8%
Less than a High School Diploma2%

Common questions

How much does a recycling and reclamation workers earn?

The national median is $40,240 a year. The full range runs from $31,270 at the 10th percentile to $55,140 at the 90th — entry pay sits closer to the lower figure, and experience, licensing and specialisation move you up the range.

Can you become a recycling and reclamation workers without a degree?

Yes — this occupation sits in preparation zone 2, meaning the typical entry route is usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not. A four-year degree is not the standard requirement, though licensing or certification may still apply.

Skills and knowledge you need

Core skills

Active Listening3.1/5
Monitoring3.1/5
Speaking2.8/5
Critical Thinking2.8/5
Reading Comprehension2.6/5

Knowledge areas

Production and Processing3.9/5
Mechanical3.5/5
Administration and Management3.5/5
Public Safety and Security3.5/5
Education and Training3.4/5
Customer and Personal Service3.2/5
English Language3.1/5
Personnel and Human Resources3.0/5

Transferable strengths: Operation and Control, Operations Monitoring, Quality Control Analysis, Social Perceptiveness, Coordination.