Refuse & Recyclable Materials Collectors Description OES Code: 98705 Collect refuse or recyclable materials from containers and put into truck, on a designated route. Wages/hourly median range Overall wages $10.19 $6.02 – $17.31 Source: National Occupational Employment Statistics. Local Wages • CCOIS Survey • OES Survey Hours & Benefits The majority of Garbage Collectors begin work at 3:00 a.m. There is very often overtime which carries the workday into late afternoon or early evening. Overtime wages are usually time and one half. Some municipalities and private companies offer bonuses for safety and productivity. Common fringe benefits are paid vacation and sick leave, retirement plans and medical, dental, vision and life insurance. Some Garbage Collectors get uniforms or uniform allowances. Employment Trends Employment 1996 11,490 Projected Employment 2006 12,180 Growth Rate 1996-2006 6% Openings due to Separations 4,560 Employment Trends by California County Metropolitan areas use more efficient collection methods and truck-mounted mechanical arms to handle garbage. Garbage is collected by the driver, who manipulates the levers that operate the mechanical arms from within the truck cab; this one-person operation has eliminated many jobs for non-driving collectors. Garbage Collection Drivers are part of the occupational group whose jobs are expected to increase faster than average throughout this decade. In fact, jobs for heavy truck drivers are among the fifty fastest growing in the State. Greater awareness of our ecology and stepped-up activities to halt the rapid depletion of the Earth's resources have expanded the entire recycling industry. Efficient collection of recyclable household and commercial waste such as plastic and metal containers in major cities should spur some job growth. Advancement Promotional opportunities are limited. Garbage Collectors can promote to Garbage Collector Driver positions, and a limited number can advance to garbage-collection supervisor. Some drivers move into related local trucking and dispatching operations. Getting the Job & Other Information Workers with Class B, Commercial driver's licenses have the best chances of finding a job. Job seekers should apply directly to private garbage collection companies, cities, and counties for garbage collectors jobs. They should also contact the local California Employment Development Department. Other job titles used for this occupation are solid waste collector, trash collector, and refuse collector. For current job listings, browse CalJOBS or America's Job Bank.

Click arrow at bottom left of image to begin. Requires QuickTime Education and Training Drivers must have a valid California Class B, Commercial driver's license and have a good driving record. The work may require physical strength, agility and the ability to lift and carry up to 100 pounds. Garbage Collectors and Drivers must read, write, and speak well enough to complete necessary paperwork and communicate with customers. On-the-job training is from two weeks to a month. Medical exams are part of the qualification requirements to get a Commercial Driver's License; drivers must take an annual medical exam to keep their license. Most employers also give pre-employment medical exams. Knowledge concerning the safe handling of hazardous materials is a plus for job seekers. Skills & Other Requirements Refuse and Recyclable materials Collectors operate garbage trucks on assigned routes to pick up garbage and waste for deposit in landfill areas. Truck operations may be carried out by one worker-driver or a team of two workers. Collections can be done by a single worker who drives automated trucks that lift and dump containers with a hydraulic lift. Drivers must inspect mechanical and safety equipment on collection trucks daily. After the inspection they report any mechanical problems to the chief mechanic and supervisor and fill out any needed reports for defective equipment. Drivers must keep informed of road and weather conditions and report significant problems to their supervisors. When cans or bins are overflowing or contain unsuitable waste, drivers tag the container to inform customers why it was rejected and to describe the standards for proper disposal. Working Conditions Garbage Collectors work outside in the cold, darkness, and sometimes bad weather. Sometimes, they must fend off dogs or avoid devices installed to keep intruders out of various kinds of garbage. They usually wear protective clothing provided by the employer, but workers still get dirty. Workers are occasionally exposed to risks of a number of different hazards, including chemical burns, broken glass, and overloaded containers, as well as low over-hanging tree limbs. Foul odors and dust from carelessly filled refuse cans and pests such as ants and flies are part of the work, but risk can be reduced through the use of masks and goggles. Trash collectors lift 40 to 80 pound containers into the truck or push bins weighing as much as 1,000 pounds when full. References Note: The references below (and/or on other parts of this page) will link to pages on the internet outside the Career Video system. California Occupational Guide: Garbage Collectors & Drivers #460 Related Occupation: Truck Drivers - Heavy #255 Training: California State Training Inventory © State of California EDD/LMID, US Department of Labor Unless indicated otherwise, wage data is based on Statewide aggregated CCOIS survey responses between 1995 and 1997. Questions or Comments? Contact us.