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Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors

General Information

Description

Collect and dump refuse or recyclable materials from containers into truck. May drive truck.

Business Breakdown

People in this career work in these sectors.

  1. Private, for profit58.75%
  2. State and local government26.71%
  3. Self-employed7.92%
  4. Private, not for profit5.16%
  5. Federal government0.81%

Workplace at a Glance

What you can expect to experience while on the job

  • Responsibility
  • Exposure to job hazards
  • Physical activity
  • Decision making
  • Repetitiveness
  • Level of competition
  • Time pressure

Industry areas

  • Agriculture, Food & Natural Resources

Job Outlook

Overall employment of hand laborers and material movers is projected to grow 6 percent from 2021 to 2031, about as fast as the average for all occupations. About 1,056,000 openings for hand laborers and material movers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.

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Job Outlook

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Overall employment of hand laborers and material movers is projected to grow 6 percent from 2021 to 2031, about as fast as the average for all occupations. About 1,056,000 openings for hand laborers and material movers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.

Similar Careers

No Information for this section

Salary

Average Salary

Salary

$38,500

State-by-state Salary

Gray states indicate no data available

$76,450
$18,140
No Information for this section

Education

Most Common Education Levels

People in this career achieve this level of education.

  • High school 64%
  • Less than high school 31%
  • Bachelor's degree 2%
  • Post-secondary certificate 2%
  • Some college 0%
  • Master's degree 0%
  • Doctoral degree 0%
  • Associate's degree 0%
  • Post baccalaureate 0%
  • Post-doctoral training 0%
  • Post-master's certificate 0%
  • First professional degree 0%

Knowledge

  • Customer and Personal Service
  • Transportation
  • Mechanical
  • Public Safety and Security
  • Education and Training

Skills at a Glance

Skills helpful in this career

  • Verbal skills
  • Critical thinking & problem solving
  • Equipment operation & maintenance
  • Math & science skills
  • Technology design & control
  • Leadership
No Information for this section

* Military pay may be higher based on specialty pays or bonuses. Learn more about Military benefits.

Data supplied by Bureau of Labor Statistics, National Center of Education Statistics, Defense Manpower Data Center (View our update schedule). Contact any business, college or military service branch to answer additional questions.