Recyclable materials sorter vs transfer station operator

The differences between recyclable materials sorters and transfer station operators 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 sorter and a transfer station operator. Additionally, a transfer station operator has an average salary of $38,127, which is higher than the $28,030 average annual salary of a recyclable materials sorter.

The top three skills for a recyclable materials sorter include safety regulations, recycle and aluminum cans. The most important skills for a transfer station operator are end loaders, equipment maintenance, and landfill.

Recyclable materials sorter vs transfer station operator overview

	Recyclable Materials Sorter	Transfer Station Operator
Yearly salary	$28,030	$38,127
Hourly rate	$13.48	$18.33
Growth rate	6%	-3%
Number of jobs	22,110	31,100
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 49%	High School Diploma, 32%
Average age	43	43
Years of experience	12	12

Recyclable materials sorter vs transfer station operator salary

Recyclable materials sorters and transfer station operators have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Recyclable Materials Sorter	Transfer Station Operator
Average salary	$28,030	$38,127
Salary range	Between $22,000 And $35,000	Between $26,000 And $55,000
Highest paying City	-	-
Highest paying state	-	-
Best paying company	-	-
Best paying industry	-	-

Differences between recyclable materials sorter and transfer station operator education

There are a few differences between a recyclable materials sorter and a transfer station operator in terms of educational background:

	Recyclable Materials Sorter	Transfer Station Operator
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 49%	High School Diploma, 32%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	Stanford University	Stanford University

Recyclable materials sorter vs transfer station operator demographics

Here are the differences between recyclable materials sorters' and transfer station operators' demographics:

	Recyclable Materials Sorter	Transfer Station Operator
Average age	43	43
Gender ratio	Male, 75.1% Female, 24.9%	Male, 92.3% Female, 7.7%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 10.3% Unknown, 3.4% Hispanic or Latino, 21.0% Asian, 3.2% White, 60.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.0%	Black or African American, 10.7% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 16.1% Asian, 6.0% White, 62.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%
LGBT Percentage	4%	5%

Differences between recyclable materials sorter and transfer station operator duties and responsibilities

Recyclable materials sorter example responsibilities.

Use automate systems and RF units to manage inventory.
Provide leadership need to instill a team-orient, customer experience, and driven team.
Process mail using automate mail processing equipment or manual methods of sortation and distribution.
Process mail using automate mail processing equipment or manual methods of sortation and distribution.

Transfer station operator example responsibilities.

Operate heavy machinery such as bobcat equipment and also operate and pave asphalt perform demolition work.
Review, complete and file necessary documents to reserve training locations and ammunition requests.

Recyclable materials sorter vs transfer station operator skills

Common recyclable materials sorter skills

Safety Regulations, 31%
Recycle, 30%
Aluminum Cans, 9%
Power Lifts, 7%
Stainless Steel, 6%
Hazardous Materials, 6%

Common transfer station operator skills

End Loaders, 37%
Equipment Maintenance, 22%
Landfill, 21%
Hazardous Materials, 15%
Roll-Off Truck, 3%
DOT, 2%

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Transportation Industry
Recyclable Materials Sorter
Recyclable Materials Sorter vs Transfer Station Operator

Updated January 8, 2025

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