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Recycling technician vs scrap metal processing worker

The differences between recycling technicians and scrap metal processing 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 recycling technician and a scrap metal processing worker. Additionally, a recycling technician has an average salary of $33,687, which is higher than the $27,192 average annual salary of a scrap metal processing worker.

Recycling technician vs scrap metal processing worker overview

Recycling TechnicianScrap Metal Processing Worker
Yearly salary$33,687$27,192
Hourly rate$16.20$13.07
Growth rate1%-3%
Number of jobs26,19731,382
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 44%Bachelor's Degree, 43%
Average age4343
Years of experience1212

Recycling technician vs scrap metal processing worker salary

Recycling technicians and scrap metal processing workers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Recycling TechnicianScrap Metal Processing Worker
Average salary$33,687$27,192
Salary rangeBetween $27,000 And $41,000Between $14,000 And $50,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CA-
Highest paying stateNebraska-
Best paying companySF-Marin Food Bank-
Best paying industryManufacturing-

Differences between recycling technician and scrap metal processing worker education

There are a few differences between a recycling technician and a scrap metal processing worker in terms of educational background:

Recycling TechnicianScrap Metal Processing Worker
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 44%Bachelor's Degree, 43%
Most common majorBusinessCriminal Justice
Most common college-University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Recycling technician vs scrap metal processing worker demographics

Here are the differences between recycling technicians' and scrap metal processing workers' demographics:

Recycling TechnicianScrap Metal Processing Worker
Average age4343
Gender ratioMale, 86.2% Female, 13.8%Male, 100.0% Female, 0.0%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 11.6% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 18.5% Asian, 6.6% White, 58.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%Black or African American, 12.2% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 19.2% Asian, 5.5% White, 58.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage5%5%

Differences between recycling technician and scrap metal processing worker duties and responsibilities

Recycling technician example responsibilities.

  • Handle hazardous materials according to OSHA standards.
  • Sort a variety of recycle materials such as concrete, drywall, plastics and wood into containers or bucket loaders.
  • Bale cardboard in baling machine.
  • Experience with torches, saws, shredders and balers.
  • Handle groundskeeper duties including mowing grass, removing weeds, and other landscaping.
  • Work independently, using judgment and discretion in making decisions that directly impact facility compliance.
  • Show more

Scrap metal processing worker example responsibilities.

  • Handle groundskeeper duties including mowing grass, removing weeds, and other landscaping.
  • Operate balers to compress recyclable materials into bundles or bales.

Recycling technician vs scrap metal processing worker skills

Common recycling technician skills
  • Recyclable Materials, 18%
  • Pallets, 13%
  • Pallet Jack, 10%
  • Routine Maintenance, 10%
  • Hazardous Waste, 9%
  • Troubleshoot, 8%
Common scrap metal processing worker skills

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