Recycling and Reclamation Workers: Career Profile
Prepare and sort materials or products for recycling. Identify and remove hazardous substances. Dismantle components of products such as appliances.
Featured schools near , edit
The Daily Work of Recycling and Reclamation Workers Perform?
The day-to-day responsibilities of recycling and reclamation workers span:
- Sort materials, such as metals, glass, wood, paper or plastics, into appropriate containers for recycling.
- Clean recycling yard by sweeping, raking, picking up broken glass and loose paper debris, or moving barrels and bins.
- Operate forklifts, pallet jacks, power lifts, or front-end loaders to load bales, bundles, or other heavy items onto trucks for shipping to smelters or other recycled materials processing facilities.
- Sort metals to separate high-grade metals, such as copper, brass, and aluminum, for recycling.
- Clean, inspect, or lubricate recyclable collection equipment or perform routine maintenance or minor repairs on recycling equipment, such as star gears, finger sorters, destoners, belts, and grinders.
Skills and Knowledge
Successful recycling and reclamation workers draw on a mix of skills and domain knowledge.
Most Important Skills
The abilities that matter most in this role, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Core Knowledge
Types of Recycling and Reclamation Workers Jobs
This career also goes by job titles like:
- Auto Dismantler
- Bobcat Driver
- Box Sorter
- Computer Recycling Worker
- Convenience Recycle Center Technician (Convenience Recycle Center Tech)
- Deconstruction and Decontamination Waste Operations Specialist (D and D Waste Operations Specialist)
- Household Hazardous Waste Recycling Worker
- Materials Sorter
Employment and Demand
There are about 1,074,938 recycling and reclamation workers working in the United States today. Demand is forecast to grow by +14.9% over the projection horizon.
How Much Do Recycling and Reclamation Workers Make?
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Annual median | $61,426 |
| Hourly median | $29.53 |
| 10th percentile | $40,205 |
| 25th percentile | $50,816 |
| 75th percentile | $72,036 |
| 90th percentile | $82,647 |
Compensation varies based on experience, location, and industry.
How Much Do Recycling and Reclamation Workers Make in Different U.S. States?
| State | Annual median salary |
|---|---|
| Washington | $45,850 |
| Alaska | $45,720 |
| Minnesota | $45,440 |
| Colorado | $45,210 |
| District of Columbia | $45,140 |
| Massachusetts | $45,070 |
| North Dakota | $44,630 |
| Hawaii | $44,050 |
| New York | $43,660 |
| Iowa | $43,370 |
| Oregon | $43,110 |
| California | $42,660 |
| Wisconsin | $42,290 |
| Kentucky | $41,770 |
| Pennsylvania | $41,170 |
| Montana | $40,810 |
| Nebraska | $40,640 |
| Vermont | $40,480 |
| Maryland | $40,240 |
| Connecticut | $40,170 |
| Maine | $40,080 |
| Kansas | $39,960 |
| Illinois | $39,840 |
| Indiana | $39,820 |
| Rhode Island | $39,820 |
| Utah | $39,570 |
| New Hampshire | $39,290 |
| Virginia | $39,240 |
| Arizona | $39,160 |
| New Jersey | $39,050 |
| Ohio | $38,990 |
| Michigan | $38,850 |
| Nevada | $38,420 |
| Delaware | $38,330 |
| Idaho | $38,270 |
| Wyoming | $38,210 |
| Missouri | $37,950 |
| Tennessee | $37,910 |
| South Dakota | $37,280 |
| South Carolina | $37,190 |
| Georgia | $37,030 |
| Texas | $37,010 |
| New Mexico | $37,000 |
| Florida | $36,980 |
| Oklahoma | $36,260 |
| North Carolina | $36,080 |
| West Virginia | $35,990 |
| Mississippi | $35,920 |
| Alabama | $35,780 |
| Arkansas | $35,090 |
| Louisiana | $33,330 |
| Virgin Islands | $32,890 |
| Puerto Rico | $22,210 |
Where Recycling and Reclamation Workers Earn the Most
Compensation for recycling and reclamation workers vary by region. The following regions pay the most:
| Region | Median annual wage | Share of U.S. jobs | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|
| Far Western US | $42,600 | 17.6% | 1.11 |
| New England | $42,093 | 2.9% | 0.63 |
| Plains States | $41,871 | 6.4% | 0.94 |
| Rocky Mountains | $41,351 | 2.9% | 0.79 |
| Middle Atlantic | $41,095 | 12.9% | 0.98 |
| Great Lakes | $39,883 | 17.7% | 1.32 |
| Southwest | $37,373 | 11.7% | 0.96 |
| Southeast | $37,142 | 27.6% | 1.21 |
Highest-Paying Metro Areas for Recycling and Reclamation Workers
| Metro area | State | Median annual wage | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenosha, WI | WI | $48,480 | 5,100 |
| Topeka, KS | KS | $48,250 | 1,970 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | CA | $48,220 | 33,130 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | WA | $47,660 | 29,400 |
| Staunton-Stuarts Draft, VA | VA | $47,350 | 1,620 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | CA | $46,800 | 8,290 |
| Syracuse, NY | NY | $46,680 | 5,750 |
| Kahului-Wailuku, HI | HI | $46,580 | 1,030 |
Industry Breakdown
The bulk of recycling and reclamation workers work in these industries:
| Industry | Employment | Median annual wage |
|---|---|---|
| Transportation and Warehousing | 997,400 | $43,190 |
| Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services | 535,240 | $35,780 |
| Wholesale Trade | 408,770 | $39,990 |
| Manufacturing | 406,630 | $41,260 |
| Retail Trade | 332,400 | $36,150 |
| Construction | 47,590 | $43,760 |
| Real Estate and Rental and Leasing | 41,250 | $39,180 |
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 40,250 | $42,330 |
Recycling and Reclamation Workers work in the following industries:
Tools and Technology
- Spreadsheet software: Microsoft Excel (hot technology)
- Office suite software: Microsoft Office software (hot technology)
- Word processing software: Microsoft Word (hot technology)
The Day-to-Day Environment
The on-the-job environment of recycling and reclamation workers is shaped by the following characteristics:
- Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets
- Exposed to Contaminants
- Spend Time Standing
- Outdoors, Exposed to All Weather Conditions
- Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls
Education and Training
Entry-level recycling and reclamation workers positions require a high school diploma or equivalent as the typical entry-level education. This occupation sits in Some Preparation Needed (Job Zone 2), indicating the level of preparation typically expected.
Other Careers to Consider
Similar Occupations
- Hazardous Materials Removal Workers (Primary-Short)
- Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaners (Supplemental)
- Helpers–Extraction Workers (Primary-Long)
- Industrial Machinery Mechanics (Supplemental)
- Maintenance Workers, Machinery (Supplemental)
- Maintenance and Repair Workers, General (Supplemental)
- Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers (Supplemental)
- Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators (Supplemental)
Sources
This profile draws on the following authoritative sources:
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) for employment and wage data by state and industry.
- BLS Employment Projections for total employment and growth forecasts.
- O*NET (Occupational Information Network) for skills, knowledge, tasks, work activities, work context, technology, and education-zone data.
SOC code: 53-7062.04 (Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand).
Course Advisor provides higher-education, college and university, degree, program, career, salary, and other helpful information to students, faculty, institutions, and other internet audiences. Presented information and data are subject to change. Inclusion on this website does not imply or represent a direct relationship with the company, school, or brand. Information, though believed correct at time of publication, may not be correct, and no warranty is provided. Contact the schools to verify any information before relying on it. Financial aid may be available for those who qualify. The displayed options may include sponsored or recommended results, not necessarily based on your preferences.
© Course Advisor – All Rights Reserved.