Trash collector vs garbage pick up worker

The differences between trash collectors and garbage pick up 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 trash collector and a garbage pick up worker. Additionally, a garbage pick up worker has an average salary of $33,959, which is higher than the $29,503 average annual salary of a trash collector.

Trash collector vs garbage pick up worker overview

	Trash Collector	Garbage Pick Up Worker
Yearly salary	$29,503	$33,959
Hourly rate	$14.18	$16.33
Growth rate	6%	6%
Number of jobs	3,364	24,154
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 65%	High School Diploma, 67%
Average age	43	43
Years of experience	12	12

Trash collector vs garbage pick up worker salary

Trash collectors and garbage pick up workers have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Trash Collector	Garbage Pick Up Worker
Average salary	$29,503	$33,959
Salary range	Between $21,000 And $39,000	Between $22,000 And $50,000
Highest paying City	Los Angeles, CA	-
Highest paying state	Alaska	-
Best paying company	5280	-
Best paying industry	Professional	-

Differences between trash collector and garbage pick up worker education

There are a few differences between a trash collector and a garbage pick up worker in terms of educational background:

	Trash Collector	Garbage Pick Up Worker
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 65%	High School Diploma, 67%
Most common major	General Studies	Business
Most common college	-	-

Trash collector vs garbage pick up worker demographics

Here are the differences between trash collectors' and garbage pick up workers' demographics:

	Trash Collector	Garbage Pick Up Worker
Average age	43	43
Gender ratio	Male, 93.1% Female, 6.9%	Male, 90.0% Female, 10.0%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 13.1% Unknown, 3.5% Hispanic or Latino, 17.5% Asian, 2.9% White, 61.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.0%	Black or African American, 18.5% Unknown, 3.6% Hispanic or Latino, 22.5% Asian, 2.1% White, 51.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.0%
LGBT Percentage	4%	4%

Differences between trash collector and garbage pick up worker duties and responsibilities

Trash collector example responsibilities.

Operate a tandem axle garbage truck in a city setting collection household waste and recycle.
Operate automated or semi-automate hoisting devices.
Conduct pre and post trip inspections.
Vacuum & clean carpeted areas as well as offices, restrooms and stock areas.
Perform pre trips on the truck to make sure everything are in good mechanical order.
Ensure cleanliness of break rooms and restrooms, as well as restock the supplies and the food.

Garbage pick up worker example responsibilities.

start hoisting device that raises refuse bin attach to rear of truck and dumps contents into opening in enclose truck body.
start hoisting device that raises refuse bin attach to rear of truck and dumps contents into opening in enclose truck body.

Trash collector vs garbage pick up worker skills

Common trash collector skills

Apartment Community, 82%
Trash Compactor, 15%
Trash Truck, 1%
CDL, 1%
Dump Contents, 0%
Safety Procedures, 0%

Common garbage pick up worker skills

Trash Collector vs. similar jobs

Trash Collector related careers

Trash Collector related jobs

What similar roles do

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Transportation Industry
Trash Collector
Trash Collector vs Garbage Pick Up Worker

Updated January 8, 2025

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