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What is a waste management recycling technician and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
3 min read
There is more than meets the eye when it comes to being a waste management recycling technician. For example, did you know that they make an average of $24.0 an hour? That's $49,914 a year! Between 2018 and 2028, the career is expected to grow 7% and produce 56,900 job opportunities across the U.S.
ScoreWaste Management Recycling TechnicianUS Average
Salary
3.9

Avg. Salary $49,914

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level
5.2

Growth rate 7%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity
9.5
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.92%

Asian 5.84%

Black or African American 9.47%

Hispanic or Latino 21.97%

Unknown 4.35%

White 57.45%

Gender

female 15.69%

male 84.31%

Age - 44
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 44
Stress level
5.2

Stress level is manageable

7.1 - high

Complexity level
6.1

Complexity level is intermediate

7 - challenging

Work life balance
5.8

Work life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become a waste management recycling technician

  1. Explore waste management recycling technician education requirements

    Most common waste management recycling technician degrees

    Bachelor's

    41.4 %

    High School Diploma

    31.0 %

    Diploma

    13.8 %
  2. Start to develop specific waste management recycling technician skills

    SkillsPercentages
    DOT56.44%
    EPA43.56%
  3. Complete relevant waste management recycling technician training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of Less than 1 month on post-employment, on-the-job training. New waste management recycling technicians learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a waste management recycling technician based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real waste management recycling technician resumes.
  4. Research waste management recycling technician duties and responsibilities

    • Provide cleaning services for bio-hazard recovery including homicides and suicides following appropriate regulatory waste standards and OSHA requirements.
    • Assist oil field drilling operations with transportation of waste to storage facilities.
  5. Prepare your waste management recycling technician resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your waste management recycling technician resume.

    You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a waste management recycling technician resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose from 10+ customizable waste management recycling technician resume templates

    Build a professional waste management recycling technician resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your waste management recycling technician resume.
    Waste Management Recycling Technician Resume
    Waste Management Recycling Technician Resume
    Waste Management Recycling Technician Resume
    Waste Management Recycling Technician Resume
    Waste Management Recycling Technician Resume
    Waste Management Recycling Technician Resume
    Waste Management Recycling Technician Resume
    Waste Management Recycling Technician Resume
    Waste Management Recycling Technician Resume
  6. Apply for waste management recycling technician jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a waste management recycling technician job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How did you land your first waste management recycling technician job

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Average waste management recycling technician salary

The average waste management recycling technician salary in the United States is $49,914 per year or $24 per hour. Waste management recycling technician salaries range between $28,000 and $88,000 per year.

Average waste management recycling technician salary
$49,914 Yearly
$24.00 hourly

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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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