Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors
Collect and dump refuse or recyclable materials from containers into truck.
About the profession
Collect and dump refuse or recyclable materials from containers into truck. May drive truck.
How to Get Started
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Career Match Test →Explore the Career Path section to see progression from junior to senior
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Jump to Learning Path →Video
Occupation on screen: Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand (O*NET 53-7062.00). The Department of Labor publishes one film per occupation family, and this is the film it lists for Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors (53-7081.00), which is how Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors is classified. Closed captions in English and Spanish. CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration)
Personality Fit
Based on the Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors role, here are the RIASEC personality types that tend to thrive in this career. While these alignments are common, individual success depends on motivation, skill development, and finding the right work environment.
Enterprising
Leading, persuading, business
Social
Helping, teaching, working with people
Conventional
Organizing, detail-oriented, structured
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Career Path
Your career progression roadmap with salary growth at each level
Career Ladder
Trainee Refuse and Recyclable Material Collector → Technician Refuse and Recyclable Material Collector → Senior Technician Refuse and Recyclable Material Collector → Lead Technician Refuse and Recyclable Material Collector
Where are you on this career path?
Click a level below to set your current position
Salary Growth
4
Levels
$68K
Top Salary
8+
Years
Learning Path
Skills you need to develop and courses to get there
🚀
Set your current level first
Go to the Career Path tab and select your current level to see your personalized learning plan.
Go to Career PathCareer levels
Timeline: 0-2 | Entry Level Base: $30,050 - $39,530/year With equity/bonuses: $33,055 - $47,436 Top markets (SF/NYC): $34,558 - $47,436 Execute core tasks using Operations…
Skills used in this career
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Day in Life
Junior vs Senior, daily schedule breakdown
9am, Inspect trucks prior to beginning routes to ensure safe operating condition. 10am, Fill out defective equipment reports.
Income Dynamics
Conservative and aggressive scenarios for 10–15 years
Year 1: Entry level $21,035 - $35,577 Year 2-3: Junior level $39,530 - $46,560 Year 4-6: Mid level $46,560 - $50,480 Year 7-10: Senior level $50,480 - $61,415 Year 10+:…
Is this for me?
15 questions, answer honestly
You find the craft of a Refuse and Recyclable Material Collector genuinely interesting, not just a paycheck You enjoy working with Operations Monitoring and Operation and Control…
💰 Salary Range
BLS OEWS, May 2023Half of U.S. workers in this occupation earn more than this, half earn less.
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Related Reading
Related Holland / RIASEC Types