Garbage collector vs residential recycle driver

The differences between garbage collectors and residential recycle drivers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 6-12 months to become both a garbage collector and a residential recycle driver. Additionally, a residential recycle driver has an average salary of $38,339, 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 residential recycle driver are pre, mechanical problems, and safety standards.

Garbage collector vs residential recycle driver overview

	Garbage Collector	Residential Recycle Driver
Yearly salary	$29,093	$38,339
Hourly rate	$13.99	$18.43
Growth rate	6%	6%
Number of jobs	3,431	50,000
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 60%	High School Diploma, 51%
Average age	43	43
Years of experience	12	12

Garbage collector vs residential recycle driver salary

Garbage collectors and residential recycle drivers have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Garbage Collector	Residential Recycle Driver
Average salary	$29,093	$38,339
Salary range	Between $21,000 And $39,000	Between $29,000 And $50,000
Highest paying City	Fairfield, CA	-
Highest paying state	Alaska	-
Best paying company	City of Charleston	-
Best paying industry	Manufacturing	-

Differences between garbage collector and residential recycle driver education

There are a few differences between a garbage collector and a residential recycle driver in terms of educational background:

	Garbage Collector	Residential Recycle Driver
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 60%	High School Diploma, 51%
Most common major	General Studies	Business
Most common college	-	-

Garbage collector vs residential recycle driver demographics

Here are the differences between garbage collectors' and residential recycle drivers' demographics:

	Garbage Collector	Residential Recycle Driver
Average age	43	43
Gender ratio	Male, 95.0% Female, 5.0%	Male, 90.1% Female, 9.9%
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, 10.8% Unknown, 3.5% Hispanic or Latino, 19.1% Asian, 3.2% White, 61.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.0%
LGBT Percentage	4%	4%

Differences between garbage collector and residential recycle driver duties and responsibilities

Garbage collector example responsibilities.

Start hoisting device that raises refuse bin attach to rear of truck and dumps contents onto opening in enclose truck body.
Used pitch forks, shovels and similar hand tools to pick up general refuse and trash from curbside and other areas.
Return products to Comcast corporate locations

Residential recycle driver example responsibilities.

Operate automated and semi-automate hoisting devices that raise refuse bins and dump contents into openings in truck bodies.
Conduct deliveries of medical equipment throughout Florida, collect payments, and ensure proper cleanliness of medical equipment
Deliver customers to their destination/homes/doorsteps with luggage/baggage groceries

Garbage collector vs residential recycle driver skills

Common garbage collector skills

Hoisting, 26%
Recyclable Materials, 24%
Maintenance Checks, 7%
Residential Buildings, 7%
Drive Trucks, 7%
Property Damage, 6%

Common residential recycle driver skills

Pre, 18%
Mechanical Problems, 18%
Safety Standards, 16%
Vehicle Operation, 13%
Mechanical Failures, 11%
DOT, 10%

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Garbage Collector vs Residential Recycle Driver

Updated January 8, 2025

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