What Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors do
The U.S. Department of Labor's O*NET database describes the work of Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors this way: "Collect and dump refuse or recyclable materials from containers into truck. May drive truck."
The core tasks O*NET records for this occupation include: "Inspect trucks prior to beginning routes to ensure safe operating condition"; "Refuel trucks or add other fluids, such as oil or brake fluid"; "Fill out defective equipment reports"; "Drive trucks, following established routes, through residential streets or alleys or through business or industrial areas"; "Operate equipment that compresses collected refuse".
Education, experience and training
According to the BLS Employment Projections, the typical education needed to enter this occupation is no formal educational credential. Typical on-the-job training to reach competency is short-term on-the-job training.
Job outlook for Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors
The Bureau of Labor Statistics counted 156,400 jobs in this occupation in 2025 and projects 159,600 in 2035, an increase of 3,200 jobs (+2.1%). That is slower than the 3.5% projected for all occupations.
About 15,500 openings a year are projected on average, counting both new positions and positions vacated by workers who retire or switch occupations. Relative to today's employment that is 9.9% a year, against 10.3% for all occupations. BLS lists a national median annual wage of $49,690, compared with $50,980 for all occupations.
Where Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors earn the most
Across the 2 states with published data, the employment-weighted average of local median wages for this occupation ranges from $63,663 in New Jersey to $64,020 in New York, a gap of $357 (1.01 times). 2 of those 2 states average above the BLS national median of $49,690 and 0 average at or below it.
New Jersey employs the most people in this occupation among the states covered, 16,950, which is 53.5% of the 31,670 counted across them. New York follows with 14,720.
Highest-paying states
New York ($64,020) and New Jersey ($63,663) lead the ranking, while New Jersey ($63,663) and New York ($64,020) are at the bottom. The table below lists every state with a link to its county-level detail.
Occupations related to Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors
Other occupations in the same SOC minor group (53-7000) include Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators, Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand, Stockers and Order Fillers and Packers and Packagers, Hand.
Frequently asked questions about Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors
What is the national median wage for Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors?
BLS lists a national median annual wage of $49,690. Across the states covered here the average local median ranges from $63,663 to $64,020.
Which state pays Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors the most?
New York, with an employment-weighted average local median wage of $64,020. New Jersey is next at $63,663.
What is the job outlook for Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors?
BLS projects employment to grow by 2.1% between 2025 and 2035, compared with 3.5% for all occupations, with about 15,500 openings a year.
What education do Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors need?
The typical entry-level education is no formal educational credential and short-term on-the-job training, according to BLS.