Post job

Trash collector vs recyclable materials collector

The differences between trash collectors and recyclable materials collectors 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 recyclable materials collector. Additionally, a trash collector has an average salary of $29,503, which is higher than the $29,114 average annual salary of a recyclable materials collector.

The top three skills for a trash collector include apartment community, trash compactor and trash truck. The most important skills for a recyclable materials collector are recyclable materials, hoisting, and dump contents.

Trash collector vs recyclable materials collector overview

Trash CollectorRecyclable Materials Collector
Yearly salary$29,503$29,114
Hourly rate$14.18$14.00
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs3,3646,962
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 65%High School Diploma, 59%
Average age4343
Years of experience1212

Trash collector vs recyclable materials collector salary

Trash collectors and recyclable materials collectors have different pay scales, as shown below.

Trash CollectorRecyclable Materials Collector
Average salary$29,503$29,114
Salary rangeBetween $21,000 And $39,000Between $21,000 And $39,000
Highest paying CityLos Angeles, CANantucket, MA
Highest paying stateAlaskaAlaska
Best paying company5280University of Nebraska System
Best paying industryProfessional-

Differences between trash collector and recyclable materials collector education

There are a few differences between a trash collector and a recyclable materials collector in terms of educational background:

Trash CollectorRecyclable Materials Collector
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 65%High School Diploma, 59%
Most common majorGeneral StudiesGeneral Studies
Most common college--

Trash collector vs recyclable materials collector demographics

Here are the differences between trash collectors' and recyclable materials collectors' demographics:

Trash CollectorRecyclable Materials Collector
Average age4343
Gender ratioMale, 93.1% Female, 6.9%Male, 93.8% Female, 6.3%
Race ratioBlack 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, 13.5% Unknown, 3.5% Hispanic or Latino, 15.7% Asian, 2.5% White, 62.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.0%
LGBT Percentage4%4%

Differences between trash collector and recyclable materials collector 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.
  • Show more

Recyclable materials collector example responsibilities.

  • Operate automated and semi-automate hoisting devices on waste site.
  • Used pitch forks, shovels and similar hand tools to pick up general refuse and trash from curbside and other areas.
  • Return products to Comcast corporate locations

Trash collector vs recyclable materials collector skills

Common trash collector skills
  • Apartment Community, 82%
  • Trash Compactor, 15%
  • Trash Truck, 1%
  • CDL, 1%
  • Dump Contents, 0%
  • Safety Procedures, 0%
Common recyclable materials collector skills
  • Recyclable Materials, 23%
  • Hoisting, 21%
  • Dump Contents, 14%
  • Equipment Breakdowns, 10%
  • Drive Trucks, 8%
  • Maintenance Problems, 8%

Browse transportation jobs