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Garbage collector vs waste collector

The differences between garbage collectors and waste collectors 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 waste collector. Additionally, a waste collector has an average salary of $29,657, 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 waste collector are waste containers, hoisting, and federal laws.

Garbage collector vs waste collector overview

Garbage CollectorWaste Collector
Yearly salary$29,093$29,657
Hourly rate$13.99$14.26
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs3,4313,928
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 60%High School Diploma, 56%
Average age4343
Years of experience1212

Garbage collector vs waste collector salary

Garbage collectors and waste collectors have different pay scales, as shown below.

Garbage CollectorWaste Collector
Average salary$29,093$29,657
Salary rangeBetween $21,000 And $39,000Between $21,000 And $40,000
Highest paying CityFairfield, CAEl Dorado Hills, CA
Highest paying stateAlaskaAlaska
Best paying companyCity of CharlestonUniversity of Houston
Best paying industryManufacturingGovernment

Differences between garbage collector and waste collector education

There are a few differences between a garbage collector and a waste collector in terms of educational background:

Garbage CollectorWaste Collector
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 60%High School Diploma, 56%
Most common majorGeneral StudiesCriminal Justice
Most common college--

Garbage collector vs waste collector demographics

Here are the differences between garbage collectors' and waste collectors' demographics:

Garbage CollectorWaste Collector
Average age4343
Gender ratioMale, 95.0% Female, 5.0%Male, 90.0% Female, 10.0%
Race ratioBlack 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, 13.3% Unknown, 3.5% Hispanic or Latino, 17.7% Asian, 2.8% White, 60.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.0%
LGBT Percentage4%4%

Differences between garbage collector and waste collector 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

Waste collector example responsibilities.

  • Operate automated and semi-automate hoisting devices that rise refuse bins into openings in truck bodies.
  • 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

Garbage collector vs waste collector skills

Common garbage collector skills
  • Hoisting, 26%
  • Recyclable Materials, 24%
  • Maintenance Checks, 7%
  • Residential Buildings, 7%
  • Drive Trucks, 7%
  • Property Damage, 6%
Common waste collector skills
  • Waste Containers, 27%
  • Hoisting, 15%
  • Federal Laws, 11%
  • Recyclable Materials, 11%
  • Safety Procedures, 9%
  • Waste Materials, 5%

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