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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 profit63.80%
  2. State and local government23.75%
  3. Self-employed7.85%
  4. Private, not for profit3.19%
  5. Federal government0.86%

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

Projected Job Growth (2022 - 2032)
+5%
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Job Outlook

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Overall employment of hand laborers and material movers is projected to grow 5 percent from 2022 to 2032, faster than the average for all occupations. About 1,075,800 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

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Salary

Salary Information

Median Salary This is the median, or the midpoint, of the salary range for this career.

$43,540

State-by-state Salary

Gray states indicate no data available

Salary Range Salary varies based on years of experience, degree level and location.

$19,540
$63,960
No Information for this section

Education & Interests

Most Common Education Levels

People in this career achieve this level of education.

  • High school 81%
  • Associate's degree 11%
  • Post-secondary certificate 5%
  • Less than high school 1%
  • Some college 0%
  • Master's degree 0%
  • Doctoral degree 0%
  • Bachelor's degree 0%
  • Post baccalaureate 0%
  • Post-doctoral training 0%
  • Post-master's certificate 0%
  • First professional degree 0%

PERSONALITY CHARACTERISTICS

You may find this career fulfilling if you consider yourself to be:

  • Realistic — You have an interest in physically working with equipment, materials or structures.
  • Conventional — You have an interest in following procedures and regulations to organize information or data.

Not sure what characteristics best describe you? Take the RIASEC Test.

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

Knowledge

  • Mechanical
  • English Language
  • Transportation
  • Customer and Personal Service
  • Public Safety and Security

Gain insights into your knowledge by using the ASVAB Career Exploration Program

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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.