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Trash collector vs recycling collections driver

The differences between trash collectors and recycling collections drivers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 6-12 months to become a trash collector, becoming a recycling collections driver takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a recycling collections driver has an average salary of $32,074, which is higher than the $29,503 average annual salary of a trash collector.

The top three skills for a trash collector include apartment community, trash compactor and trash truck. The most important skills for a recycling collections driver are CDL, dot regulations, and hoisting.

Trash collector vs recycling collections driver overview

Trash CollectorRecycling Collections Driver
Yearly salary$29,503$32,074
Hourly rate$14.18$15.42
Growth rate6%4%
Number of jobs3,364565,955
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 65%High School Diploma, 52%
Average age4348
Years of experience122

Trash collector vs recycling collections driver salary

Trash collectors and recycling collections drivers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Trash CollectorRecycling Collections Driver
Average salary$29,503$32,074
Salary rangeBetween $21,000 And $39,000Between $23,000 And $43,000
Highest paying CityLos Angeles, CA-
Highest paying stateAlaska-
Best paying company5280-
Best paying industryProfessional-

Differences between trash collector and recycling collections driver education

There are a few differences between a trash collector and a recycling collections driver in terms of educational background:

Trash CollectorRecycling Collections Driver
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 65%High School Diploma, 52%
Most common majorGeneral StudiesGeneral Studies
Most common college--

Trash collector vs recycling collections driver demographics

Here are the differences between trash collectors' and recycling collections drivers' demographics:

Trash CollectorRecycling Collections Driver
Average age4348
Gender ratioMale, 93.1% Female, 6.9%Male, 97.0% Female, 3.0%
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, 12.7% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 20.6% Asian, 3.4% White, 58.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage4%4%

Differences between trash collector and recycling collections driver 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

Recycling collections driver example responsibilities.

  • Preform complete pre-trip inspections including driver check-in procedures upon vehicle return.
  • Return products to Comcast corporate locations

Trash collector vs recycling collections driver skills

Common trash collector skills
  • Apartment Community, 82%
  • Trash Compactor, 15%
  • Trash Truck, 1%
  • CDL, 1%
  • Dump Contents, 0%
  • Safety Procedures, 0%
Common recycling collections driver skills
  • CDL, 76%
  • DOT Regulations, 12%
  • Hoisting, 12%

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