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What is a garbage collector driver and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
3 min read
The average garbage collector driver salary is $35,658. The most common degree is a high school diploma degree with an business major. It usually takes 1-2 years of experience to become a garbage collector driver. Garbage collector drivers with a Commercial Driver License (CDL) certification earn more money. Between 2018 and 2028, the career is expected to grow 4% and produce 90,900 job opportunities across the U.S.
ScoreGarbage Collector DriverUS Average
Salary
2.8

Avg. Salary $35,658

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level
7.3

Growth rate 4%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity
4.9
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.80%

Asian 3.67%

Black or African American 11.77%

Hispanic or Latino 20.45%

Unknown 4.64%

White 58.66%

Gender

female 8.47%

male 91.53%

Age - 49
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 - 49
Stress level
7.3

Stress level is high

7.1 - high

Complexity level
4.6

Complexity level is intermediate

7 - challenging

Work life balance
1.4

Work life balance is very poor

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become a garbage collector driver

  1. Explore garbage collector driver education requirements

    Most common garbage collector driver degrees

    High School Diploma

    50.0 %

    Diploma

    20.8 %

    Certificate

    16.7 %
  2. Start to develop specific garbage collector driver skills

    SkillsPercentages
    Hoisting29.26%
    Drive Trucks26.93%
    Maintenance Checks23.60%
    DOT20.21%
  3. Complete relevant garbage collector driver training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of Less than 1 month on post-employment, on-the-job training. New garbage collector drivers 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 garbage collector driver based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real garbage collector driver resumes.
  4. Research garbage collector driver duties and responsibilities

    • Conduct deliveries of medical equipment throughout Florida, collect payments, and ensure proper cleanliness of medical equipment
    • Perform maintenance on heavy equipment, run backhoe and do interior painting.
  5. Prepare your garbage collector driver resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your garbage collector driver 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 garbage collector driver resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose from 10+ customizable garbage collector driver resume templates

    Build a professional garbage collector driver 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 garbage collector driver resume.
    Garbage Collector Driver Resume
    Garbage Collector Driver Resume
    Garbage Collector Driver Resume
    Garbage Collector Driver Resume
    Garbage Collector Driver Resume
    Garbage Collector Driver Resume
    Garbage Collector Driver Resume
    Garbage Collector Driver Resume
    Garbage Collector Driver Resume
  6. Apply for garbage collector driver jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a garbage collector driver job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How did you land your first garbage collector driver job

Zippi

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Average garbage collector driver salary

The average garbage collector driver salary in the United States is $35,658 per year or $17 per hour. Garbage collector driver salaries range between $27,000 and $46,000 per year.

Average garbage collector driver salary
$35,658 Yearly
$17.14 hourly

What am I worth?

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How do garbage collector drivers rate their job?

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Garbage collector driver reviews

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A zippia user wrote a review on Oct 2019
Pros

I like everything about working as a garbage truck driver.

Cons

I don't like the fact tht people have been killed from the job


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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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