Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors
SOC code 53-7081 · O*NET-SOC 53-7081.00 · Little to some preparation needed · Transportation
Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors pay
U.S. national figures, May 2025 BLS survey · How we got this number
Median pay
$49,690
a year
Hourly
$23.89
per hour
The solid band is the middle 50% of workers; the bar spans the 10th to 90th percentile.
Average pay
$52,820
$25.39 per hour
Middle 50%
$39,080 – $62,020
25th to 75th percentile
Full spread
$33,590 – $75,900
10th to 90th percentile
People employed
147,240
nationwide
National U.S. figure, May 2025. Local pay can be higher or lower.
- 10th percentile
- $33,590
- $16.15/hr
- 25th percentile
- $39,080
- $18.79/hr
- Median percentile
- $49,690
- $23.89/hr
- 75th percentile
- $62,020
- $29.82/hr
- 90th percentile
- $75,900
- $36.49/hr
What do refuse and recyclable material collectors do?
Collect and dump refuse or recyclable materials from containers into truck. May drive truck.
The tasks that matter most day to day
- Inspect trucks prior to beginning routes to ensure safe operating condition.
- 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.
- Fill out defective equipment reports.
- Operate automated or semi-automated hoisting devices that raise refuse bins and dump contents into openings in truck bodies.
- Dismount garbage trucks to collect garbage and remount trucks to ride to the next collection point.
- Operate equipment that compresses collected refuse.
How to qualify for this work
Most people in this role hold high school diploma or the equivalent (such as a ged) — 81% 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.
Education reported by people doing this job
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)81%
- Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree11%
- Post-Secondary Certificate6%
- Less than a High School Diploma2%
Common questions
How much does a refuse and recyclable material collectors earn?
The national median is $49,690 a year. The full range runs from $33,590 at the 10th percentile to $75,900 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 refuse and recyclable material collectors 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 Listening2.9/5
- Speaking2.9/5
- Critical Thinking2.8/5
- Reading Comprehension2.6/5
- Writing2.5/5
- Monitoring2.5/5
Knowledge areas
- Mechanical3.2/5
- English Language2.8/5
- Transportation2.6/5
- Customer and Personal Service2.5/5
- Public Safety and Security2.5/5
Transferable strengths: Operations Monitoring, Operation and Control, Equipment Maintenance, Coordination.