Solid waste truck driver vs garbage truck driver

The differences between solid waste truck drivers and garbage truck drivers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a solid waste truck driver and a garbage truck driver. Additionally, a garbage truck driver has an average salary of $38,257, which is higher than the $38,234 average annual salary of a solid waste truck driver.

The top three skills for a solid waste truck driver include CDL, DOT and post-trip inspections. The most important skills for a garbage truck driver are CDL, customer service, and post-trip inspections.

Solid waste truck driver vs garbage truck driver overview

	Solid Waste Truck Driver	Garbage Truck Driver
Yearly salary	$38,234	$38,257
Hourly rate	$18.38	$18.39
Growth rate	4%	4%
Number of jobs	627,516	626,774
Job satisfaction	-	5
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 37%	High School Diploma, 60%
Average age	48	48
Years of experience	2	2

Solid waste truck driver vs garbage truck driver salary

Solid waste truck drivers and garbage truck drivers have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Solid Waste Truck Driver	Garbage Truck Driver
Average salary	$38,234	$38,257
Salary range	Between $29,000 And $49,000	Between $28,000 And $50,000
Highest paying City	-	New York, NY
Highest paying state	-	Alaska
Best paying company	-	Trucking Partners
Best paying industry	-	Insurance

Differences between solid waste truck driver and garbage truck driver education

There are a few differences between a solid waste truck driver and a garbage truck driver in terms of educational background:

	Solid Waste Truck Driver	Garbage Truck Driver
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 37%	High School Diploma, 60%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Solid waste truck driver vs garbage truck driver demographics

Here are the differences between solid waste truck drivers' and garbage truck drivers' demographics:

	Solid Waste Truck Driver	Garbage Truck Driver
Average age	48	48
Gender ratio	Male, 93.7% Female, 6.3%	Male, 92.9% Female, 7.1%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 15.8% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 22.8% Asian, 3.2% White, 53.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%	Black or African American, 11.8% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 17.7% Asian, 4.0% White, 60.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%
LGBT Percentage	4%	4%

Differences between solid waste truck driver and garbage truck driver duties and responsibilities

Solid waste truck driver example 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

Garbage truck driver example responsibilities.

Manage and expedite the secure transportation and accountability of logistic materials and HAZMAT chemicals to commercial, state and government facilities.
Operate automate or semi-automate hoisting devices that raise refuse bins and dump contents into openings in truck bodies.
Operate and run routes for garbage pickup.
Haul garbage and drive all CDL trucks they have.
Acquire CDL while working to be eligible for driver position.
Perform maintenance on heavy equipment, run backhoe and do interior painting.

Solid waste truck driver vs garbage truck driver skills

Common solid waste truck driver skills

CDL, 42%
DOT, 21%
Post-Trip Inspections, 16%
Maintenance Checks, 9%
Yard Waste, 5%
Traffic Laws, 3%

Common garbage truck driver skills

CDL, 47%
Customer Service, 31%
Post-Trip Inspections, 5%
Routine Maintenance, 4%
DOT, 3%
Safety Checks, 2%

Solid Waste Truck Driver vs. similar jobs

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Transportation Industry
Solid Waste Truck Driver
Solid Waste Truck Driver vs Garbage Truck Driver

Updated January 8, 2025

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