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How to hire a refuse collector

Refuse collector hiring summary. Here are some key points about hiring refuse collectors in the United States:

  • There are a total of 71,010 refuse collectors in the US, and there are currently 3,298 job openings in this field.
  • The median cost to hire a refuse collector is $1,633.
  • Small businesses spend $1,105 per refuse collector on training each year, while large companies spend $658.
  • It takes between 36 and 42 days to fill the average role in the US.
  • It takes approximately 12 weeks for a new employee to reach full productivity levels.
  • HR departments typically allocate 15% of their budget towards recruitment efforts.
  • Boca Raton, FL, has the highest demand for refuse collectors, with 2 job openings.

How to hire a refuse collector, step by step

To hire a refuse collector, you should create an ideal candidate profile, determine a budget, and post and promote your job. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to hire a refuse collector:

Here's a step-by-step refuse collector hiring guide:

  • Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
  • Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
  • Step 3: Make a budget
  • Step 4: Write a refuse collector job description
  • Step 5: Post your job
  • Step 6: Interview candidates
  • Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new refuse collector
  • Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist
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  1. Identify your hiring needs

    First, determine the employments status of the refuse collector you need to hire. Certain refuse collector roles might require a full-time employee, whereas others can be done by part-time workers or contractors.

    Determine employee vs contractor status
    Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

    You should also consider the ideal background you'd like them a refuse collector to have before you start to hire. For example, what industry or field would you like them to have experience in, what level of seniority or education does the job require, and how much it'll cost to hire a refuse collector that fits the bill.

    This list shows salaries for various types of refuse collectors.

    Type of Refuse CollectorDescriptionHourly rate
    Refuse CollectorHand laborers and material movers manually move freight, stock, or other materials. Others feed or remove material to and from machines, clean vehicles, pick up unwanted household goods, and pack materials for moving.$10-19
    Trash CollectorAlso known as trash collectors, garbage collectors work for a private waste management firm or the municipal government. Trash collectors collect and remove recyclable and waste materials for processing... Show more$10-18
    CollectorCollectors are responsible for monitoring and providing immediate actions for client accounts with overdue payments. Collectors must be able to contact clients through phone or e-mail... Show more$12-21
  2. Create an ideal candidate profile

    Common skills:
    • CDL
    • Safety Equipment
    • Routine Maintenance
    • Recyclable Materials
    • Hoisting
    • Yard Waste
    • Dump Contents
    • Refuse Truck
    • Maintenance Problems
    • Equipment Operation
    • Collection Truck
    • Landfill
    • Equipment Breakdowns
    • Pre
    Check all skills
    Responsibilities:
    • Operate both automate and semi-automate hoisting devices.
    • Preform complete pre-trip inspections including driver check-in procedures upon vehicle return.
    • Return products to Comcast corporate locations
  3. Make a budget

    Including a salary range in your refuse collector job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. A refuse collector salary can vary based on several factors:
    • Location. For example, refuse collectors' average salary in tennessee is 59% less than in alaska.
    • Seniority. Entry-level refuse collectors earn 46% less than senior-level refuse collectors.
    • Certifications. A refuse collector with a few certifications under their belt will likely demand a higher salary.
    • Company. Working for a prestigious company or an exciting start-up can make a huge difference in a refuse collector's salary.

    Average refuse collector salary

    $14.55hourly

    $30,254 yearly

    Entry-level refuse collector salary
    $22,000 yearly salary
    Updated December 20, 2025
  4. Writing a refuse collector job description

    A good refuse collector job description should include a few things:

    • Summary of the role
    • List of responsibilities
    • Required skills and experience

    Including a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager is also appreciated by candidates. Here's an example of a refuse collector job description:

    Refuse collector job description example

    Hourly Salary: $15.00


    Purpose of Classification:

    The purpose of this classification is to perform manual labor associated with collecting refuse along an assigned route.

    This classification is safety sensitive, subject to random drug testing in accordance with the County's Drug & Alcohol Policy.

    Essential Functions:

    The following duties are normal for this position. The omission of specific statements of the duties does not exclude them from the classification if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment for this classification. Other duties may be required and assigned.

    Collects refuse along assigned route; rides on back of rear-loading sanitation truck; retrieves trash bin, containers, or bags from along route; empties trash bins and containers into truck; operates container arm, lift, and compactor mechanisms as needed; and returns bins and containers to their proper place.

    Performs manual labor in support of other County operations as needed; lifts, moves, loads, and unloads materials, equipment, tools, furniture, and supplies; digs ditches, trenches, and holes manually or utilizing power equipment; shovels, rakes, spreads, compacts, and levels dirt, rock, asphalt, cement, and other materials; performs grounds keeping functions; cleans buildings, restrooms, or other facilities; retrieves supplies, materials, tools, equipment and other items and runs various errands as needed; collects and transports materials, supplies, tools, and equipment to and from the worksite; and removes litter, debris, and deceased animals from roadways and other County property.

    Assists in setting up special events/activities; installs, erects, or hangs holiday decorations; assists with traffic control during event; and assists with cleanup after events.

    Follows established safety procedures; utilizes safety equipment and wears protective gear; monitors work environment to ensure safety of employees and other individuals; monitors traffic conditions surrounding trucks/equipment to identify obstructions, pedestrians, or unsafe traffic conditions; flags and directs traffic and places markers, signs and cones around project/work site to ensure safety of crew and the traveling public; and reports any incidents, accidents, problems, or unusual situations.

    Operates a variety of machinery, equipment, and tools associated with department projects, which may include a service truck, pump, probing rod, tamper, jack hammer, lawn mower, riding mower, edger, weed eater, chipper/mulcher, leaf blower, sod cutter, spreader, tiller, chain saw, power saw, hand saw, concrete saw, air compressor, pickaxe, sledgehammer, rake, post hole digger, shovel, hand tools, measuring instruments, or two-way radio.

    Performs general cleaning and maintenance tasks necessary to keep equipment and tools in operable condition, which may include inspecting equipment, checking/replacing fluids, refueling vehicles, performing minor equipment repairs, greasing equipment, sharpening blades, replacing parts, washing/cleaning equipment, or cleaning shop or work areas; monitors equipment operations to maintain efficiency and safety; and reports faulty equipment.

    Minimum Qualifications:

    High school diploma or GED preferred; previous work experience involving equipment operation or construction/maintenance work preferred; or any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience which provides the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities for this job.

    Specific License or Certification Required: None
  5. Post your job

    To find the right refuse collector for your business, consider trying out a few different recruiting strategies:

    • Consider internal talent. One of the most important sources of talent for any company is its existing workforce.
    • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and current employees and ask if they know or have worked with refuse collectors they would recommend.
    • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit refuse collectors who meet your education requirements.
    • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter now have more than 3.5 billion users, and you can use social media to reach potential job candidates.
    Post your job online:
    • Post your refuse collector job on Zippia to find and recruit refuse collector candidates who meet your exact specifications.
    • Use field-specific websites.
    • Post a job on free websites.
  6. Interview candidates

    Your first interview with refuse collector candidates should focus on their interest in the role and background experience. As the hiring process goes on, you can learn more about how they'd fit into the company culture in later rounds of interviews.

    Remember to include a few questions that allow candidates to expand on their strengths in their own words. Asking about their unique skills might reveal things you'd miss otherwise. At this point, good candidates can move on to the technical interview.

    The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

  7. Send a job offer and onboard your new refuse collector

    Once you've found the refuse collector candidate you'd like to hire, it's time to write an offer letter. This should include an explicit job offer that includes the salary and the details of any other perks. Qualified candidates might be looking at multiple positions, so your offer must be competitive if you like the candidate. Also, be prepared for a negotiation stage, as candidates may way want to tweak the details of your initial offer. Once you've settled on these details, you can draft a contract to formalize your agreement.

    You should also follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that you've filled the position.

    To prepare for the new refuse collector first day, you should share an onboarding schedule with them that covers their first period on the job. You should also quickly complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Finally, Human Resources must ensure a new employee file is created for internal record keeping.

  8. Go through the hiring process checklist

    • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
    • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
    • Define job responsibilities and requirements
    • Establish budget and timeline
    • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
    • Write job description
    • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
    • Promote the job internally
    • Process applications through applicant tracking system
    • Review resumes and cover letters
    • Shortlist candidates for screening
    • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
    • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
    • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
    • Conduct background checks on top candidates
    • Check references of top candidates
    • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
    • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
    • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
    • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
    • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
    • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)
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How much does it cost to hire a refuse collector?

Hiring a refuse collector comes with both the one-time cost per hire and ongoing costs. The cost of recruiting refuse collectors involves promoting the job and spending time conducting interviews. Ongoing costs include employee salary, training, benefits, insurance, and equipment. It is essential to consider the cost of refuse collector recruiting as well the ongoing costs of maintaining the new employee.

You can expect to pay around $30,254 per year for a refuse collector, as this is the median yearly salary nationally. This can vary depending on what state or city you're hiring in. If you're hiring for contract work or on a per-project basis, hourly rates for refuse collectors in the US typically range between $10 and $19 an hour.

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