Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors
Collect and dump refuse or recyclable materials from containers into truck. May drive truck.
How to read this profile
BLS projects U.S. employment for Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors to increase by 2.1% between 2024 and 2034, from 156,400 to 159,600 jobs. Its estimate of 15,500 annual openings includes replacement needs, so it does not represent current vacancies, contract postings, or freelance demand. The wage ($49,690), education (No formal educational credential), and related experience (None) figures on this profile describe typical U.S. employees. O*NET skills describe the occupation; they do not assess an individual worker's proficiency.
Base employment (2024)
156,400
Projected employment (2034)
159,600
Projected change (2024–2034)
2%
Annual openings (projected average)
15,500
Pay & Preparation
$49,690
No formal educational credential
None
Short-term on-the-job training
Essential Skills
Operations Monitoring (3/5) • Operation and Control (3/5) • Active Listening (2.88/5) • Speaking (2.88/5) • Critical Thinking (2.75/5) • Equipment Maintenance (2.75/5)
O*NET describes occupational requirements; these ratings do not measure current job-posting frequency or an individual worker’s proficiency.
BLS projections are long-term estimates; annual openings include growth and replacement needs and are not current vacancies.
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