How To Become A Disposal Operator: What It Is and Career Path

What is a disposal operator and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

3 min read

The average disposal operator salary is $41,101. The most common degree is a high school diploma degree with an business major. It usually takes 6-12 months of experience to become a disposal operator. Disposal operators with a Commercial Driver License (CDL) certification earn more money. Between 2018 and 2028, the career is expected to grow -7% and produce -8,600 job opportunities across the U.S.

ScoreDisposal OperatorUS Average

Salary

3.2

Avg. Salary $41,101

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

8.6

Growth rate -7%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

3.6

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 2.62%

Asian 1.84%

Black or African American 7.55%

Hispanic or Latino 12.44%

Unknown 4.57%

White 70.98%

Gender

female 14.78%

male 85.22%

Age - 47.5

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 47.5

Stress level

8.6

Stress level is very high

7.1 - high

Complexity level

6.2

Complexity level is intermediate

7 - challenging

Work life balance

7.8

Work life balance is good

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become a disposal operator

Explore disposal operator education requirements

Most common disposal operator degrees

High School Diploma

36.2 %

Bachelor's

30.4 %

Associate

20.3 %

Start to develop specific disposal operator skills

Skills	Percentages
DOT	16.01%
EPA	10.85%
Equipment Maintenance	10.64%
Hazardous Materials	10.40%
Salt Water Disposal	9.82%

Complete relevant disposal operator training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 6-12 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New disposal operators learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a disposal operator based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real disposal operator resumes.

Research disposal operator duties and responsibilities

Manage the master calendar and schedule resources such as communication equipment, weapons, transportation and ammunition forecast and delivery.
Monitor combat missions through satellite and computer global positioning systems in order to prepare accurate reports for unit commanders.
Mobilize, and maintain specialize tools, equipment, supplies, and EOD publications.
Clean out disposal strainers and baskets on the pumps.

Prepare your disposal operator resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your disposal operator resume.

You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a disposal operator resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

Choose from 10+ customizable disposal operator resume templates

Build a professional disposal operator resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your disposal operator resume.