Safety & Environmental career

Refuse Collector

Also called: Sanitation Worker · Garbage Truck Driver · Recycling Collector · Waste Collection Driver

What refuse collectors do, what they earn, how long training takes and how to get started, with official BLS pay data and practical, job-level detail.

Updated By the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team
What does a refuse collector do?

Refuse and recyclable material collectors drive or ride collection trucks, collect household and commercial waste and recycling, and haul it to landfills, transfer stations and recycling centers. The median pay is $49,690 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about 1–8 weeks, and employment is projected to grow +2.1% from 2025–35.

Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026

  • Median pay
    $49,690
    $23.89/hour · May 2025
  • Job growth
    +2.1%
    2025–35, slower than average
  • Openings per year
    15,500
    Average, 2025–35
  • Typical entry education
    No formal educational credential
    BLS classification
  • Time to train
    1–8 weeks
    Typical program length
  • U.S. jobs
    156,400
    Employment, 2025

What refuse collectors do

Refuse collectors keep neighborhoods and businesses clean. They drive routes in side-loader, rear-loader and front-loader trucks, collect carts and dumpsters, operate hydraulic arms and compactors, and haul loads to disposal and recycling facilities. Helpers on rear-loader routes load bags and bulk items by hand.

Most collectors train on the job; drivers usually need a CDL, which many employers help pay for. Cities, counties and private waste companies hire year-round. The work starts early and is physical, but it is steady, essential and often comes with good benefits.

Typical duties

  • Drive collection routes safely
  • Operate automated arms and compactors
  • Collect trash, recycling and yard waste
  • Inspect trucks before and after routes
  • Check containers for contamination or hazardous items
  • Haul loads to landfills and recycling facilities
  • Report missed pickups, damage and safety issues

Work environment and schedule

Collectors work outdoors in all weather on streets and alleys, operating heavy trucks around traffic, pedestrians and obstacles. The work involves odors and, for helpers, lifting.

Schedule: Shifts usually start very early in the morning and end in the early afternoon. Holidays and storms can bring extra hours.

A day in the life

  1. Complete the pre-trip inspection on a side-loader truck.
  2. Start the residential route, using the automated arm to empty carts.
  3. Tag a recycling cart contaminated with plastic bags.
  4. Haul a full load to the transfer station and weigh out.

See a full day in the life of a refuse collector →

Refuse Collector salary

Half of refuse collectors earned more than $49,690 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $33,590 for the lowest 10% to $75,900 for the top 10%.

Full refuse collector pay scale and hourly rates →

How to become a refuse collector

  1. Get a clean driving record
  2. Start as a helper or trainee
  3. Earn a CDL
  4. Drive a route
  5. Advance

No formal education is required. Most collectors train on the job. Drivers usually need a CDL Class B, and many employers offer paid training to earn it.

Step-by-step guide to becoming a refuse collector →

Skills and tools

Technical skills

  • Commercial truck driving
  • Automated arm operation
  • Pre-trip inspections
  • Route navigation
  • Backing and maneuvering

People skills

  • Reliability
  • Safety awareness
  • Customer courtesy
  • Independence

All refuse collector skills and tools →

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Steady, essential work
  • Paid CDL training at many employers
  • Early finish times
  • Good benefits with cities and large companies

Cons

  • Very early starts
  • Outdoor work in heat and cold
  • Struck-by and traffic hazards
  • Odors and physical tasks

Certifications and licenses

  • CDL Class B: Required to drive most collection trucks.
  • SWANA certifications: Solid Waste Association of North America safety and operations training.
  • Defensive driving training: Courses that reduce crash risk.
  • DOT medical card: Required for CDL drivers.

Career path

  1. Helper: Assist on routes.
  2. Collection Driver: Drive a route.
  3. Lead Driver or Trainer: Train new drivers.
  4. Route Supervisor or Operations Manager: Manage routes and teams.

Learn the job before day one

Our Refuse Collector training (6 hours, $59.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as complete a pre-trip inspection and collect carts with an automated arm, safety and how to land your first job.

View Refuse Collector trainingIs this career right for me?

Truck Driver

Haul freight safely across town or across the country with a CDL.

  • $58,640
  • 3–7 weeks

Delivery Driver

Deliver packages and goods to homes and businesses on a daily route.

  • $44,860
  • 1–2 weeks

Septic Tank Technician

Pump, inspect and repair septic systems and clean sewer lines.

  • $49,880
  • 1–6 months on the job

Warehouse Associate

Receive, pick, pack and ship orders that keep stores and customers supplied.

  • $40,240
  • Days (on the job)

Compare: Refuse Collector vs. Truck Driver · Refuse Collector vs. Delivery Driver · Refuse Collector vs. Septic Tank Technician · Refuse Collector vs. Warehouse Associate

Refuse Collector FAQ

Do garbage truck drivers need a CDL?

Usually yes, often a Class B.

Is it a good job?

Many find it steady, with benefits and early finish times.

What are the main hazards?

Traffic, backing and moving equipment.

How much does a refuse collector make?

The median annual wage for refuse collectors was $49,690 ($23.89 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $33,590 and the highest 10% earned more than $75,900.

How long does it take to become a refuse collector?

Most people need about 1–8 weeks of training. No formal education is required. Most collectors train on the job. Drivers usually need a CDL Class B, and many employers offer paid training to earn it.

Do you need a degree to be a refuse collector?

No four-year degree is typically required. BLS lists “no formal educational credential” as the typical entry-level education, plus short-term on-the-job training.

More refuse collector questions →

Sources

Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.

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