Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
Garbage truck driver salary
Average garbage truck driver salary
$38,257
Understanding Garbage Truck Driver Salaries
The average salary for a garbage truck driver in the United States is approximately $38,257 per year. However, this figure can vary based on several factors, including geographic location and years of experience. For instance, drivers in urban areas may earn more due to a higher cost of living. In addition, those with greater experience might command higher wages.
Salary by State
When analyzing compensation, states like California and New York typically offer higher salaries, often exceeding the national average. Conversely, states with lower living costs may present lower salary figures. It's essential for prospective drivers to consider these variations when evaluating job opportunities.
Opportunities for Advancement
Garbage truck drivers can increase their earnings through overtime and specialized roles, such as operating advanced waste management equipment. Employers may provide additional training, leading to promotions and increased pay. Staying informed about salary trends and opportunities in the field can significantly impact your career trajectory.
Let Zippi find your next garbage truck driver job
Let Zippi find your next garbage truck driver job
Where can a Garbage Truck Driver earn more?
Garbage truck driver salaries by experience level
Garbage truck driver salary estimates from across the web
Average garbage truck driver salary by state
The highest-paying states for garbage truck drivers are Alaska, Hawaii, and Montana. The lowest average garbage truck driver salary states are South Carolina, Alabama, and Missouri.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for garbage truck drivers
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Montana | $45,511 | $21.88 |
| 2 | Michigan | $40,034 | $19.25 |
| 3 | Minnesota | $43,079 | $20.71 |
| 4 | Wyoming | $41,240 | $19.83 |
| 5 | Nevada | $41,146 | $19.78 |
| 6 | North Dakota | $43,763 | $21.04 |
| 7 | Alaska | $48,899 | $23.51 |
| 8 | Kansas | $37,316 | $17.94 |
| 9 | New York | $43,813 | $21.06 |
| 10 | Ohio | $36,282 | $17.44 |
| 11 | Arizona | $39,601 | $19.04 |
| 12 | Nebraska | $37,459 | $18.01 |
| 13 | Iowa | $36,781 | $17.68 |
| 14 | Washington | $42,427 | $20.40 |
| 15 | Utah | $38,998 | $18.75 |
| 16 | Oklahoma | $36,601 | $17.60 |
| 17 | Pennsylvania | $36,842 | $17.71 |
| 18 | Hawaii | $45,998 | $22.11 |
| 19 | California | $39,833 | $19.15 |
| 20 | South Dakota | $37,865 | $18.20 |
| 21 | Massachusetts | $40,635 | $19.54 |
| 22 | Wisconsin | $36,683 | $17.64 |
| 23 | Indiana | $35,410 | $17.02 |
| 24 | Delaware | $36,870 | $17.73 |
| 25 | Rhode Island | $38,049 | $18.29 |
| 26 | Connecticut | $38,694 | $18.60 |
| 27 | Vermont | $37,081 | $17.83 |
| 28 | North Carolina | $35,539 | $17.09 |
| 29 | West Virginia | $32,533 | $15.64 |
| 30 | New Hampshire | $37,262 | $17.91 |
| 31 | Colorado | $37,429 | $17.99 |
| 32 | Idaho | $35,671 | $17.15 |
| 33 | Oregon | $37,768 | $18.16 |
| 34 | New Jersey | $38,582 | $18.55 |
| 35 | New Mexico | $34,939 | $16.80 |
| 36 | Virginia | $36,390 | $17.50 |
| 37 | Tennessee | $32,734 | $15.74 |
| 38 | Mississippi | $32,045 | $15.41 |
| 39 | Texas | $34,932 | $16.79 |
| 40 | Illinois | $33,021 | $15.88 |
| 41 | District of Columbia | $37,988 | $18.26 |
| 42 | Arkansas | $30,725 | $14.77 |
| 43 | Maine | $34,791 | $16.73 |
| 44 | Louisiana | $31,400 | $15.10 |
| 45 | South Carolina | $30,212 | $14.53 |
| 46 | Maryland | $33,938 | $16.32 |
| 47 | Kentucky | $28,587 | $13.74 |
| 48 | Alabama | $30,146 | $14.49 |
| 49 | Missouri | $29,801 | $14.33 |
| 50 | Georgia | $29,369 | $14.12 |
| 51 | Florida | $24,435 | $11.75 |
Highest paying cities for garbage truck drivers
The highest-paying cities for garbage truck drivers are New York, NY, Eugene, OR, and Manassas, VA.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York, NY | $43,753 | $21.04 |
| 2 | Eugene, OR | $37,755 | $18.15 |
| 3 | Manassas, VA | $37,372 | $17.97 |
| 4 | Amarillo, TX | $36,334 | $17.47 |
| 5 | Twin Falls, ID | $35,352 | $17.00 |
| 6 | Rock Island, IL | $32,900 | $15.82 |
| 7 | Johnson City, TN | $32,584 | $15.67 |
| 8 | New Orleans, LA | $31,147 | $14.97 |
| 9 | Rock Hill, SC | $30,731 | $14.77 |
| 10 | Bowling Green, KY | $28,172 | $13.54 |
| 11 | Miami, FL | $24,677 | $11.86 |
Garbage truck driver salary details
A garbage truck driver's salary ranges from $28,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $50,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is a garbage truck driver's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $50,000 | $4,167 | $24 |
| 75th Percentile | $44,000 | $3,667 | $21 |
| Average | $38,257 | $3,188 | $18 |
| 25th Percentile | $33,000 | $2,750 | $16 |
| 10th Percentile | $28,000 | $2,333 | $13 |
Highest paying garbage truck driver jobs
The highest paying types of garbage truck drivers are operator and truck driver, truck driver-over-the-road, and commercial truck driver.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Driver | $34,771 | $2,898 | $16.72 | 1,017,998 |
| CDL Driver | $63,112 | $5,259 | $30.34 | 784,044 |
| Local Driver | $48,160 | $4,013 | $23.15 | 786,531 |
| Lead Driver | $43,769 | $3,647 | $21.04 | 821,463 |
| Truck Driver-Over-The-Road | $69,158 | $5,763 | $33.25 | 689,630 |
| Van Driver | $36,254 | $3,021 | $17.43 | 791,293 |
Top companies hiring garbage truck drivers now:
Which companies pay garbage truck drivers the most?
Garbage truck driver salaries at Trucking Partners and Amwaste Inc. are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average garbage truck driver salary at companies like Waste Connections and Richard are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Trucking Partners | $44,117 | $21.21 |
| 2 | Amwaste Inc. | $40,520 | $19.48 |
| 3 | Waste Connections | $38,722 | $18.62 |
| 4 | Richard | $37,670 | $18.11 |
| 5 | PeopleReady | $30,419 | $14.62 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Garbage truck driver salary trends
The average garbage truck driver salary has risen by $7,468 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average garbage truck driver earned $30,789 annually, but today, they earn $38,257 a year. That works out to a 14% change in pay for garbage truck drivers over the last decade.
Compare garbage truck driver salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average garbage truck driver salary over time
Compare garbage truck driver salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Garbage truck driver salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $38,300 | $18.39 | +4.0% |
| 2024 | $36,700 | $17.66 | +3.5% |
| 2023 | $35,500 | $17.05 | +2.7% |
| 2022 | $34,500 | $16.58 | +2.7% |
| 2021 | $33,600 | $16.13 | +2.6% |
Recently added garbage truck driver salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Waste Connections | Local Garbage Truck Driver | Cope, SC | 06/30/2025 | $41,740 |
| Waste Connections | Residential Garbage Truck Driver (Labelle FL) | Belle Chasse, LA | 06/30/2025 | $48,001 |
| Waste Connections | Local Garbage Truck Driver | Norfolk, VA | 06/30/2025 | $45,914 |
| Waste Connections | Local Garbage Truck Driver | Rapid City, SD | 06/27/2025 | $48,001 |
| Waste Connections | Local Garbage Truck Driver | Sioux City, IA | 06/25/2025 | $41,740 |
| Waste Connections | Residential Garbage Truck Driver (Labelle FL) | LaBelle, FL | 06/21/2025 | $48,001 |
| Waste Connections | Local Garbage Truck Driver | Lincoln, NE | 06/20/2025 | $41,740 |
| Waste Connections | Front Load Garbage Truck Driver | Lubbock, TX | 06/19/2025 | $45,914 |
| Interstate Waste Services | Class B Roll Off Garbage Truck Driver | Sloatsburg, NY | 06/07/2025 | $52,175 |
| Interstate Waste Services, Inc. | Class B Roll Off Garbage Truck Driver | Paterson, NJ | 06/05/2025 | $63,987 |
Garbage truck driver salary FAQs
Search for garbage truck driver jobs