Skilled Trades
Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors
Collect and dump refuse or recyclable materials from containers into truck. May drive truck.
Median salary (BLS)
$49,690
10th–90th percentile (BLS)
$34k – $76k
Job outlook
+1% (about average)
AI exposure
Plan a path to Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors
Education
Typical entry: No degree required
Plan my path to this →How to qualify
EstimateLicense requiredCost to qualify
$100–$2,600
Time to qualify
3.1 yr
Renewal
$50/yr
- 1
Registered apprenticeship (paid)
ExperienceEarn-while-you-learn training — apprentices are paid during the program; fees are tools/books, not tuition.
$0–$2,000 · 36 months · varies by state source
- 2
Journeyman exam & state/local license
LicenseMost states and municipalities test and license journeyman-level trades workers.
$100–$600 · 1 months · varies by state · renews every 2 yr source
Estimated typical U.S. route for "Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors" — built from BLS education requirements and College Board 2024–25 average published prices (public, in-state tuition + fees + books). Not yet verified against a specific state's licensing rules — confirm with your state licensing board or program.
Typical progression
Junior Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors
Entry / Junior
$33,590
~2 yrs to advance
Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors
Established
$49,690
~3 yrs to advance
Senior Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors
Senior
$62,795
Key skills
A typical day
- •Inspect trucks prior to beginning routes to ensure safe operating condition.
- •Drive trucks, following established routes, through residential streets or alleys or through business or industrial areas.
- •Refuel trucks or add other fluids, such as oil or brake fluid.
- •Dump refuse or recyclable materials at disposal sites.
- •Fill out defective equipment reports.
Fields of study
Any field
Top colleges for Skilled Trades
Explore all- Purdue University50% admit · $78,000 grad pay
- Ohio State University53% admit · $68,000 grad pay
- Pennsylvania State University55% admit · $70,000 grad pay
Reputation-based selection; stats shown are outcome data per school.