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Trash collector vs waste collector

The differences between trash collectors and waste 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 waste collector. Additionally, a waste collector has an average salary of $29,657, 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 waste collector are waste containers, hoisting, and federal laws.

Trash collector vs waste collector overview

Trash CollectorWaste Collector
Yearly salary$29,503$29,657
Hourly rate$14.18$14.26
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs3,3643,928
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 65%High School Diploma, 56%
Average age4343
Years of experience1212

Trash collector vs waste collector salary

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

Trash CollectorWaste Collector
Average salary$29,503$29,657
Salary rangeBetween $21,000 And $39,000Between $21,000 And $40,000
Highest paying CityLos Angeles, CAEl Dorado Hills, CA
Highest paying stateAlaskaAlaska
Best paying company5280University of Houston
Best paying industryProfessionalGovernment

Differences between trash collector and waste collector education

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

Trash CollectorWaste Collector
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 65%High School Diploma, 56%
Most common majorGeneral StudiesCriminal Justice
Most common college--

Trash collector vs waste collector demographics

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

Trash CollectorWaste Collector
Average age4343
Gender ratioMale, 93.1% Female, 6.9%Male, 90.0% Female, 10.0%
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, 13.3% Unknown, 3.5% Hispanic or Latino, 17.7% Asian, 2.8% White, 60.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.0%
LGBT Percentage4%4%

Differences between trash collector and waste 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

Waste collector example responsibilities.

  • Operate automated and semi-automate hoisting devices that rise refuse bins into openings in truck bodies.
  • 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 waste collector skills

Common trash collector skills
  • Apartment Community, 82%
  • Trash Compactor, 15%
  • Trash Truck, 1%
  • CDL, 1%
  • Dump Contents, 0%
  • Safety Procedures, 0%
Common waste collector skills
  • Waste Containers, 27%
  • Hoisting, 15%
  • Federal Laws, 11%
  • Recyclable Materials, 11%
  • Safety Procedures, 9%
  • Waste Materials, 5%

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