Certified solid waste facility operator vs transportation assistant

The differences between certified solid waste facility operators and transportation assistants can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 1-2 years to become a certified solid waste facility operator, becoming a transportation assistant takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a transportation assistant has an average salary of $44,684, which is higher than the $36,698 average annual salary of a certified solid waste facility operator.

The top three skills for a certified solid waste facility operator include CDL, end loaders and loaders. The most important skills for a transportation assistant are patients, veterans, and rehabilitation.

Certified solid waste facility operator vs transportation assistant overview

	Certified Solid Waste Facility Operator	Transportation Assistant
Yearly salary	$36,698	$44,684
Hourly rate	$17.64	$21.48
Growth rate	4%	9%
Number of jobs	71,444	8,245
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 30%	Bachelor's Degree, 36%
Average age	46	44
Years of experience	2	4

Certified solid waste facility operator vs transportation assistant salary

Certified solid waste facility operators and transportation assistants have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Certified Solid Waste Facility Operator	Transportation Assistant
Average salary	$36,698	$44,684
Salary range	Between $26,000 And $50,000	Between $27,000 And $73,000
Highest paying City	-	Washington, DC
Highest paying state	-	Delaware
Best paying company	-	New Jersey Institute of Technology
Best paying industry	-	Government

Differences between certified solid waste facility operator and transportation assistant education

There are a few differences between a certified solid waste facility operator and a transportation assistant in terms of educational background:

	Certified Solid Waste Facility Operator	Transportation Assistant
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 30%	Bachelor's Degree, 36%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Certified solid waste facility operator vs transportation assistant demographics

Here are the differences between certified solid waste facility operators' and transportation assistants' demographics:

	Certified Solid Waste Facility Operator	Transportation Assistant
Average age	46	44
Gender ratio	Male, 89.4% Female, 10.6%	Male, 43.9% Female, 56.1%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 14.1% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 15.4% Asian, 3.8% White, 61.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%	Black or African American, 12.0% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 19.7% Asian, 6.8% White, 55.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0%
LGBT Percentage	6%	8%

Differences between certified solid waste facility operator and transportation assistant duties and responsibilities

Certified solid waste facility operator example responsibilities.

Operate heavy machinery such as bobcat equipment and also operate and pave asphalt perform demolition work.
Maintain proper communication with management and frac crews on/off-site.

Transportation assistant example responsibilities.

Charge with managing contracts for non-emergency and emergency transportation of Medicaid and Medicare members.
Administer first aid care and cardiopulmonary resuscitation to students, as required.
Transport patients in wheelchair or gurneys.
Schedule all small package and LTL shipments.
Cross train in LTL and CDS shipment building.
Track drivers by using all equipment, global positioning systems (GPS) i.e.

Certified solid waste facility operator vs transportation assistant skills

Common certified solid waste facility operator skills

CDL, 45%
End Loaders, 19%
Loaders, 12%
Routine Maintenance, 12%
Yard Waste, 6%
Vehicle Inspections, 2%

Common transportation assistant skills

Patients, 32%
Veterans, 14%
Rehabilitation, 7%
Logistics, 6%
CPR, 5%
Stretchers, 5%

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Certified Solid Waste Facility Operator
Certified Solid Waste Facility Operator vs Transportation Assistant

Updated January 8, 2025

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