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The differences between garbage collectors and recycling collections drivers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 6-12 months to become a garbage collector, becoming a recycling collections driver takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a recycling collections driver has an average salary of $32,074, which is higher than the $29,093 average annual salary of a garbage collector.
The top three skills for a garbage collector include hoisting, recyclable materials and maintenance checks. The most important skills for a recycling collections driver are CDL, dot regulations, and hoisting.
| Garbage Collector | Recycling Collections Driver | |
| Yearly salary | $29,093 | $32,074 |
| Hourly rate | $13.99 | $15.42 |
| Growth rate | 6% | 4% |
| Number of jobs | 3,431 | 565,955 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 60% | High School Diploma, 52% |
| Average age | 43 | 48 |
| Years of experience | 12 | 2 |
Garbage collectors and recycling collections drivers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Garbage Collector | Recycling Collections Driver | |
| Average salary | $29,093 | $32,074 |
| Salary range | Between $21,000 And $39,000 | Between $23,000 And $43,000 |
| Highest paying City | Fairfield, CA | - |
| Highest paying state | Alaska | - |
| Best paying company | City of Charleston | - |
| Best paying industry | Manufacturing | - |
There are a few differences between a garbage collector and a recycling collections driver in terms of educational background:
| Garbage Collector | Recycling Collections Driver | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 60% | High School Diploma, 52% |
| Most common major | General Studies | General Studies |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between garbage collectors' and recycling collections drivers' demographics:
| Garbage Collector | Recycling Collections Driver | |
| Average age | 43 | 48 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 95.0% Female, 5.0% | Male, 97.0% Female, 3.0% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 13.1% Unknown, 3.5% Hispanic or Latino, 15.9% Asian, 2.8% White, 62.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.0% | Black or African American, 12.7% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 20.6% Asian, 3.4% White, 58.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% |
| LGBT Percentage | 4% | 4% |