Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors
Explore safer careers (5)
Lower estimated automation risk
Why it fits
Uses waste handling, protective equipment, disposal rules, contamination awareness, safety procedures, and cleanup routines.
Why it fits
Builds on collection routes, waste streams, recycling rules, public contact, records, safety, and crew coordination.
Why it fits
Applies sanitation work, route calls, pumping equipment, protective gear, physical work, and customer-site safety.
Why it fits
Applies large-vehicle operation, routes, safety checks, schedules, traffic awareness, and service records with licensing.
Why it fits
Reuses local routes, pickups, safe driving, customer contact, delivery records, and vehicle checks.
Occupation snapshot
What does this snowflake show?
What's this?
We rate jobs using four factors. These are:
- Chance of being automated
- Job growth
- Wages
- Volume of available positions
These are some key things to think about when job hunting.
Risk & user votes
Calculated automation risk
High Risk (61-80%): This occupation shows a significant risk of end-to-end replacement by automation. Many core parts of the role may be structured, repeatable, software-driven, or physically predictable enough for AI, machines, or robotic systems to take over. If you work in this area, it may be worth exploring safer related careers or moving towards more human-centred responsibilities.
More information on what this score is, and how it is calculated is available here.
Human strengths important in this job
These are human abilities and work contexts that are important in this occupation. They may help explain why parts of the role are harder to replace end-to-end, but they are not the only inputs into the automation score.
What users think
Based on 71 votes
Our visitors have voted that it's probable this occupation will be automated. This assessment is further supported by the calculated automation risk level, which estimates 74% chance of automation.
What do you think the risk of automation is?
What is the likelihood that Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors will be replaced by robots or artificial intelligence within the next 20 years?
Sentiment
Based on user votes over time
View sentiment trend
How opinions have changed over time
Pay & outlook
Wages
In 2024, the median annual wage for Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors was $48,350 ($23 per hour).
The median annual wage for Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors was 2.3% lower than the national median annual wage, which stood at $49,500.
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Wages over time
Growth
The number of 'Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors' job openings is expected to rise 0.9% by 2034
View employment trend
Total employment, and estimated job openings
Updated projections are due 09-2025.
Volume
As of 2024 there were 139,180 people employed as 'Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors' within the United States.
This represents around 0.09% of the employed workforce across the country
Put another way, around 1 in 1 thousand people are employed as 'Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors'.
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Job description
Collect and dump refuse or recyclable materials from containers into truck. May drive truck.
O*NET-SOC code: 53-7081.00
What people are saying (5)
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