How to hire a waste collection driver

How to hire a waste collection driver, step by step

Here's a step-by-step waste collection driver hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a waste collection driver job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new waste collection driver
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   First, determine the employments status of the waste collection driver you need to hire. Certain waste collection driver roles might require a full-time employee, whereas others can be done by part-time workers or contractors.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   Hiring the perfect waste collection driver also involves considering the ideal background you'd like them to have. Depending on what industry or field they have experience in, they'll bring different skills to the job. It's also important to consider what levels of seniority and education the job requires and what kind of salary such a candidate would likely demand.

   The following list breaks down different types of waste collection drivers and their corresponding salaries.

   Type of Waste Collection Driver	Description	Hourly rate
   Waste Collection Driver	Heavy and tractor–trailer truck drivers transport goods from one location to another. Most tractor–trailer drivers are long-haul drivers and operate trucks with a gross vehicle weight (GVW) capacity—that is, the combined weight of the vehicle, passengers, and cargo—exceeds 26,000 pounds... Show more	$14-25
   Owner/Operator	Owners/operators manage the business in all aspects, especially in those related to operations. They ensure that every aspect of the business is running smoothly... Show more	$50-126
   Driver/Owner Operator	Driver/owner-operators are self-employed commercial truck drivers who operate trucks to transport goods for their customers. Most of these operators started working as drivers for trucking companies to gain experience and decide if it's the right career path for them... Show more	$33-200

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • DOT
   • OSHA
   • Post-Trip Inspections
   • Waste Management
   • Minor Maintenance
   • Hazardous Materials
   • Safety Policies
   • Waste Collection
   • Disposal Site
   • Vehicle Service
   • Route Assignments
   • Hoisting
   • Medical Waste
   • Pre-Trip Inspections

   Responsibilities:

   • Operate automated or semi-automate hoisting devices on side loader or front loader.
   • Attend annual driver improvement classes to maintain knowledge of safety and emergency procedures of transportation hazmat products.
   • Deliver customers to their destination/homes/doorsteps with luggage/baggage groceries

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your waste collection driver job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. A waste collection driver salary can vary based on several factors:

   • Location. For example, waste collection drivers' average salary in tennessee is 44% less than in alaska.
   • Seniority. Entry-level waste collection drivers earn 42% less than senior-level waste collection drivers.
   • Certifications. A waste collection driver with a few certifications under their belt will likely demand a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for a prestigious company or an exciting start-up can make a huge difference in a waste collection driver's salary.

   Average waste collection driver salary

   $41,251yearly

   $19.83 hourly rate

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   Entry-level waste collection driver salary

   $31,000 yearly salary

   Updated January 31, 2026

4. Writing a waste collection driver job description

   A good waste collection driver job description should include a few things:

   • Summary of the role
   • List of responsibilities
   • Required skills and experience

   Including a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager is also appreciated by candidates. Here's an example of a waste collection driver job description:

   Waste collection driver job description example

   • Perform complete pre- and post-operation inspection of the vehicle in accordance with Company policy to ensure tire pressure, fluid levels, safety equipment, gauges, and controls are in proper working order. Report any safety issues on standard reports.
   • Safely operate his or her heavy truck along his or her designated route and to the disposal site; read route sheet, follow map and service each customer as identified on the route sheet or as assigned by the dispatcher and/or supervisor.
   • Courteously interact with all customers, dispatchers and others on a daily basis to ensure all customer routes are serviced in a timely and professional manner.
   • Identify unsatisfactory waste containers and tag containers in accordance with applicable departmental procedures.
   • Continuously monitor waste for evidence of unacceptable waste.
   • Clean area around an accidental waste spill, ensuring adherence to all applicable safety standards and policies.
   • Continuously monitor the condition of the vehicle to ensure it is operationally ready at all times to minimize down time; clean waste from the packer blade and truck body on each disposal trip.
   • Complete required route/productivity sheets, DVIR and other reports, as required.
   • Maintain adherence to required productivity standards for the department to ensure all customers are serviced in a timely and efficient manner.
   • Follow all required safety policies and procedures.
   • Perform other job-related duties as assigned. The statements herein are intended to describe the general nature of work performed by this position and are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of responsibilities, duties, and skills. Furthermore, they do not establish a contract for employment and are subject to change at the discretion of the Company.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are a few common ways to find waste collection drivers for your business:

   • Promoting internally or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to meet candidates with the right educational background.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to recruit passive job-seekers.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your waste collection driver job on Zippia to find and recruit waste collection driver candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Your first interview with waste collection driver candidates should focus on their interest in the role and background experience. As the hiring process goes on, you can learn more about how they'd fit into the company culture in later rounds of interviews.

   Remember to include a few questions that allow candidates to expand on their strengths in their own words. Asking about their unique skills might reveal things you'd miss otherwise. At this point, good candidates can move on to the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new waste collection driver

   Once you've decided on a perfect waste collection driver candidate, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, it should include benefits and perks available to the employee. Qualified candidates may be considered for other positions, so make sure your offer is competitive. Candidates may wish to negotiate. Once you've settled on the details, formalize your agreement with a contract.

   You should also follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that you've filled the position.

   To prepare for the new waste collection driver first day, you should share an onboarding schedule with them that covers their first period on the job. You should also quickly complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Finally, Human Resources must ensure a new employee file is created for internal record keeping.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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