Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors: Salary, Job Outlook & How to Become One (2026 Parent Guide)

Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors fall under the Transportation and Material Moving category in the U.S. occupational classification. Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors earn a median salary of $48,350 per year, ranking in the top 68% of all U.S. occupations. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects +0.9% job growth through 2034, projected to grow slower than the US average. Entry into this field typically requires a high school diploma plus on-the-job training, certifications, or postsecondary credentials, with specific licensing or certification depending on the state and employer. For parents whose teenager is exploring this path, the most actionable step is mapping the education requirements to specific colleges and majors before junior year — not waiting until application season.

What do refuse and recyclable material collectors earn?

The median annual wage for refuse and recyclable material collectors is $48,350. That puts refuse and recyclable material collectors at #551 on the BLS ranked list of all U.S. occupations by median pay. This salary is around or below the U.S. median for individual workers, so career growth often depends on advancement into supervisory roles, specialization, or additional credentials. Actual pay varies meaningfully by state, employer type, and years of experience — entry-level salaries are typically 30–40% below the median, while top-decile earners often exceed it by 50% or more.

Is refuse and recyclable material collectors a growing career?

The 10-year outlook for refuse and recyclable material collectors is +0.9%, projected to grow slower than the US average. Employment is projected to move from approximately 147K positions in 2024 to 149K in 2034, a net change of 2K. Flat growth typically reflects a mature, stable field. Most openings will come from retirements rather than new positions, which can favor candidates with strong networks and willingness to relocate.

What do refuse and recyclable material collectors do every day?

According to O*NET task surveys of working refuse and recyclable material collectors, these are the core responsibilities most professionals perform. This is what your teen would actually be doing in this role.

1. 1.Drive trucks, following established routes, through residential streets or alleys or through business or industrial areas.
2. 2.Dump refuse or recyclable materials at disposal sites.
3. 3.Refuel trucks or add other fluids, such as oil or brake fluid.
4. 4.Operate automated or semi-automated hoisting devices that raise refuse bins and dump contents into openings in truck bodies.
5. 5.Clean trucks or compactor bodies after routes have been completed.
6. 6.Inspect trucks prior to beginning routes to ensure safe operating condition.
7. 7.Fill out defective equipment reports.
8. 8.Dismount garbage trucks to collect garbage and remount trucks to ride to the next collection point.

Top skills for refuse and recyclable material collectors

O*NET ranks these as the most important skills for this occupation, on a 1–5 importance scale derived from worker surveys.

What education does my child need to become refuse and recyclable material collector?

Many refuse and recyclable material collectors enter the field with a high school diploma plus on-the-job training, though employers increasingly favor candidates with certifications or some postsecondary coursework. For parents helping a teen prepare, the highest-leverage step before junior year is identifying colleges and programs that feed reliably into this occupation — Solyo's college search lets parents filter by major and admissions data side by side.

Related careers your child might also consider

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Common questions parents ask about refuse and recyclable material collectors