Sanitation Worker Education Requirements And Courses

Sanitation worker education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025

2 min read

Usually, sanitation workers don't need a college education. The most common degree for sanitation workers is high school diploma with 61% graduates, with only 17% sanitation worker graduates earning diploma. Sanitation workers who decided to graduate from college often finish University of Phoenix or Central State University. Some good skills to have in this position include cleanliness, pallet jack and food safety.

Popular sanitation worker certifications include OSHA Safety Certificate , EPA Amusement Operators Safety Certification (EPA), or Certified Food Manager (CFM). To improve sanitation worker qualification and skills, we prepared some online courses to help in sanitation worker education paths.

What education do you need to become a sanitation worker?

What degree do you need to be a sanitation worker?

The most common degree for sanitation workers is high school diploma, with 61% of sanitation workers earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are diploma degree at 17% and diploma degree at 10%.

High School Diploma, 61%

Diploma, 17%

Associate, 10%

Bachelor's, 7%

Other Degrees, 5%

What should I major in to become a sanitation worker?

You should major in business to become a sanitation worker. 23% of sanitation workers major in business. Other common majors for a sanitation worker include general studies and criminal justice.

Business, 23%

General Studies, 16%

Criminal Justice, 9%

Automotive Technology, 5%

Other Majors, 47%

Best majors for sanitation workers

Rank	Major	Percentages
1	Business	22.8%
2	General Studies	16.4%
3	Criminal Justice	9.3%
4	Automotive Technology	4.8%
5	Precision Metal Working	4.4%

Show more common sanitation worker majors

20 best online courses for sanitation workers

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1. Fun food safety and sanitation course

4.6

(539)

The food safety course will help prepare you for safely working in a kitchen and food handler tests like Servesafe...

2. ISO 22000:2018. Food Safety Management System

4.4

(976)

Understand the requirements for a food safety management system applicable for any organization in the food chain...

3. OSHA Safety Pro: Personal Protective Equipment

4.5

(1,881)

Impress management or get that job with you your ability to display life and dollar saving work place safety practices...

4. OSHA Workplace Safety (General Industry 6 Hr Class)

4.5

(2,583)

Learn the requirements and standards associated with OSHA and workplace safety. Safety best practices for the workplace...

5. Food Safety for Managers and Supervisors

4.3

(489)

The Highfield Food Safety Level 3 syllabus presented in two hours of video tutorials. Boost your food safety knowledge...

6. OSHA Safety Pro: Deadly Concrete Dust. Crystalline Silica.

4.4

(478)

OSHA's General, Construction, and Maritime Industries Hazard Prevention and Safety Standard...

7. OSHA Safety Pro: Trenching Excavation & Soil Mechanics

4.3

(727)

A quick yet detailed certification in OSHA safety with a focus on Trenching, Excavation, & Soil Mechanics...

8. OSHA Safety Training: Heat Stress Management

4.6

(465)

A Workplace Safety Management Course for Current and Future Safety Professionals...

9. OSHA Safety Training: Conducting Safety Meetings

4.5

(958)

A Brief Safety Management Course for Current and Aspiring Safety Professionals...

10. ISO 22000 (HACCP and PRPs) for Food Safety

4.4

(618)

Standards, analysis, control points, and risk management related to ISO 22000 for food industry professionals...

11. Electrical Power Equipment

4.6

(939)

Learn how electrical equipments operate and how they fit together into a network...

12. Blockchain applications in Food Safety, Healthcare & Pharma

4.5

(3,019)

Best course to learn about Blockchain Business Applications in Pharma, Food Safety, Healthcare and Insurance Industries...

13. Occupational Health & Safety Training

4.4

(1,198)

Workplace Health and Safety Course For Employees & Managers...

14. Advanced Process Control & Safety Instrumented Systems SIS

4.5

(783)

Learn how the main process equipment such as chemical reactors , pumps , compressors & heat exchangers are controlled...

15. OSHA Safety Pro: Hearing Protection Program

4.5

(1,113)

Your guide to preventing hearing loss using OSHA's Occupational Noise Exposure Standards...

16. Basic Fire Safety Awareness

4.3

(776)

Basic Fire Safety Awareness - Your Gateway towards Career in Fire Safety...

17. Fire Safety: Become A Fire Safety Expert

4.3

(484)

Become an expert in Fire Safety, Fire Hazards Control, Fire Evacuation Plans, and Fire Risk Assessment...

18. Fire Safety and Prevention Planning

4.4

(1,467)

Become an expert in understanding Fire Safety and Prevention Planning for your workplaces and organizations...

19. Basic Food Photography

4.2

(1,349)

Learn how to take delicious food photos from scratch...

20. Complete Health and Safety Auditor Course. OHSAS 18001.

4.5

(2,235)

How to implement and audit a health & safety management system and obtain certification to OHSAS 18001 Standard...

Average sanitation worker salary by education level

According to our data, sanitation workers with a Associate degree earn the highest average salary, at $34,794 annually. Sanitation workers with a Bachelor's degree earn an average annual salary of $34,111.

Sanitation worker education level	Sanitation worker salary
High School Diploma or Less	$33,949
Bachelor's Degree	$34,111
Some College/ Associate Degree	$34,794