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Trash collector vs refuse collector

The differences between trash collectors and refuse 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 refuse collector. Additionally, a refuse collector has an average salary of $30,254, 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 refuse collector are CDL, safety equipment, and routine maintenance.

Trash collector vs refuse collector overview

Trash CollectorRefuse Collector
Yearly salary$29,503$30,254
Hourly rate$14.18$14.55
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs3,3643,298
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 65%High School Diploma, 52%
Average age4343
Years of experience1212

Trash collector vs refuse collector salary

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

Trash CollectorRefuse Collector
Average salary$29,503$30,254
Salary rangeBetween $21,000 And $39,000Between $22,000 And $41,000
Highest paying CityLos Angeles, CA-
Highest paying stateAlaska-
Best paying company5280-
Best paying industryProfessional-

Differences between trash collector and refuse collector education

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

Trash CollectorRefuse Collector
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 65%High School Diploma, 52%
Most common majorGeneral StudiesBusiness
Most common college--

Trash collector vs refuse collector demographics

Here are the differences between trash collectors' and refuse collectors' demographics:

Trash CollectorRefuse Collector
Average age4343
Gender ratioMale, 93.1% Female, 6.9%Male, 95.4% Female, 4.6%
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, 3.5% Hispanic or Latino, 15.8% Asian, 2.8% White, 63.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.0%
LGBT Percentage4%4%

Differences between trash collector and refuse 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

Refuse collector example responsibilities.

  • Operate both automate and semi-automate hoisting devices.
  • Preform complete pre-trip inspections including driver check-in procedures upon vehicle return.
  • Return products to Comcast corporate locations

Trash collector vs refuse collector skills

Common trash collector skills
  • Apartment Community, 82%
  • Trash Compactor, 15%
  • Trash Truck, 1%
  • CDL, 1%
  • Dump Contents, 0%
  • Safety Procedures, 0%
Common refuse collector skills
  • CDL, 16%
  • Safety Equipment, 11%
  • Routine Maintenance, 8%
  • Recyclable Materials, 7%
  • Hoisting, 6%
  • Yard Waste, 6%

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