Recyclable materials collector vs garbage pick up worker

The differences between recyclable materials collectors and garbage pick up workers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 6-12 months to become both a recyclable materials collector and a garbage pick up worker. Additionally, a garbage pick up worker has an average salary of $33,959, which is higher than the $29,114 average annual salary of a recyclable materials collector.

Recyclable materials collector vs garbage pick up worker overview

	Recyclable Materials Collector	Garbage Pick Up Worker
Yearly salary	$29,114	$33,959
Hourly rate	$14.00	$16.33
Growth rate	6%	6%
Number of jobs	6,962	24,154
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 59%	High School Diploma, 67%
Average age	43	43
Years of experience	12	12

Recyclable materials collector vs garbage pick up worker salary

Recyclable materials collectors and garbage pick up workers have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Recyclable Materials Collector	Garbage Pick Up Worker
Average salary	$29,114	$33,959
Salary range	Between $21,000 And $39,000	Between $22,000 And $50,000
Highest paying City	Nantucket, MA	-
Highest paying state	Alaska	-
Best paying company	University of Nebraska System	-
Best paying industry	-	-

Differences between recyclable materials collector and garbage pick up worker education

There are a few differences between a recyclable materials collector and a garbage pick up worker in terms of educational background:

	Recyclable Materials Collector	Garbage Pick Up Worker
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 59%	High School Diploma, 67%
Most common major	General Studies	Business
Most common college	-	-

Recyclable materials collector vs garbage pick up worker demographics

Here are the differences between recyclable materials collectors' and garbage pick up workers' demographics:

	Recyclable Materials Collector	Garbage Pick Up Worker
Average age	43	43
Gender ratio	Male, 93.8% Female, 6.3%	Male, 90.0% Female, 10.0%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 13.5% Unknown, 3.5% Hispanic or Latino, 15.7% Asian, 2.5% White, 62.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.0%	Black or African American, 18.5% Unknown, 3.6% Hispanic or Latino, 22.5% Asian, 2.1% White, 51.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.0%
LGBT Percentage	4%	4%

Differences between recyclable materials collector and garbage pick up worker duties and responsibilities

Recyclable materials collector example responsibilities.

Operate automated and semi-automate hoisting devices on waste site.
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 pick up worker example responsibilities.

start hoisting device that raises refuse bin attach to rear of truck and dumps contents into opening in enclose truck body.
start hoisting device that raises refuse bin attach to rear of truck and dumps contents into opening in enclose truck body.

Recyclable materials collector vs garbage pick up worker skills

Common recyclable materials collector skills

Recyclable Materials, 23%
Hoisting, 21%
Dump Contents, 14%
Equipment Breakdowns, 10%
Drive Trucks, 8%
Maintenance Problems, 8%

Common garbage pick up worker skills

Recyclable Materials Collector vs. similar jobs

Recyclable Materials Collector related careers

Recyclable Materials Collector related jobs

What similar roles do

Zippia Careers
Transportation Industry
Recyclable Materials Collector
Recyclable Materials Collector vs Garbage Pick Up Worker

Updated January 8, 2025

Browse transportation jobs