How To Become A Solid Waste Truck Driver: What It Is and Career Path

What is a solid waste truck driver and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

3 min read

The average solid waste truck driver salary is $38,234. The most common degree is a high school diploma degree with an business major. It usually takes 1-2 years of experience to become a solid waste truck driver. Solid waste truck drivers with a Commercial Driver License (CDL) certification earn more money. Between 2018 and 2028, the career is expected to grow 4% and produce 90,900 job opportunities across the U.S.

ScoreSolid Waste Truck DriverUS Average

Salary

3.0

Avg. Salary $38,234

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

7.3

Growth rate 4%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

4.6

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.75%

Asian 3.20%

Black or African American 15.76%

Hispanic or Latino 22.79%

Unknown 4.44%

White 53.07%

Gender

female 6.31%

male 93.69%

Age - 49

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 49

Stress level

7.3

Stress level is high

7.1 - high

Complexity level

4.6

Complexity level is intermediate

7 - challenging

Work life balance

1.4

Work life balance is very poor

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become a solid waste truck driver

Explore solid waste truck driver education requirements

Most common solid waste truck driver degrees

High School Diploma

36.8 %

Associate

23.7 %

Bachelor's

18.4 %

Start to develop specific solid waste truck driver skills

Skills	Percentages
CDL	42.14%
DOT	21.03%
Post-Trip Inspections	16.21%
Maintenance Checks	8.74%
Yard Waste	4.79%

Complete relevant solid waste truck driver training and internships

Accountants spend an average of Less than 1 month on post-employment, on-the-job training. New solid waste truck drivers learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a solid waste truck driver based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real solid waste truck driver resumes.

Research solid waste truck driver duties and responsibilities

Manage and expedite the secure transportation and accountability of logistic materials and HAZMAT chemicals to commercial, state and government facilities.
Conduct deliveries of medical equipment throughout Florida, collect payments, and ensure proper cleanliness of medical equipment
Deliver customers to their destination/homes/doorsteps with luggage/baggage groceries

Prepare your solid waste truck driver resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your solid waste truck driver resume.

You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a solid waste truck driver resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

Choose from 10+ customizable solid waste truck driver resume templates

Build a professional solid waste truck driver resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your solid waste truck driver resume.