All About Recycling and Reclamation Workers
Recycling & Reclamation Worker Job Description Prepare and sort materials or products for recycling. Identify and remove hazardous substances. Dismantle components of products such as appliances.
Recycling & Reclamation Worker Responsibilities
- Operate shredders to reclaim steel from discarded appliances.
- Clean recycling yard by sweeping, raking, picking up broken glass and loose paper debris, or moving barrels and bins.
- Extract chemicals from discarded appliances, such as air conditioners or refrigerators, using specialized machinery, such as refrigerant recovery equipment.
- Operate balers to compress recyclable materials into bundles or bales.
- Cut discarded products, such as appliances and automobiles, into small pieces using saws, blow torches, or other hand or power tools.
- Sort materials, such as metals, glass, wood, paper or plastics, into appropriate containers for recycling.
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Recycling & Reclamation Worker Needed Skills
Below is a list of the skills most Recycling and Reclamation Workers say are important on the job.
Operation and Control: Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
Operation Monitoring: Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Related Job Titles for this Occupation:
- Recovery Assistant
- Materials Sorter
- Computer Recycling Worker
- Picker and Sorter, Load and Unload
- Reclamation Worker
What Kind of Recycling & Reclamation Worker Job Opportunities Are There?
In 2016, there was an estimated number of 263,500 jobs in the United States for Recycling and Reclamation Worker. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 4.4% which is below the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 11,600 new jobs for Recycling and Reclamation Worker by 2026. There will be an estimated 31,400 positions for Recycling & Reclamation Worker per year.

The states with the most job growth for Recycling & Reclamation Worker are Nevada, Florida, and Utah. Watch out if you plan on working in Delaware, Maine, or Alaska. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
How Much Does a Recycling & Reclamation Worker Make?
The average yearly salary of a Recycling & Reclamation Worker ranges between $20,140 and $55,910.

Recycling and Reclamation Workers who work in Wyoming, Alaska, or New Mexico, make the highest salaries.
Below is a list of the median annual salaries for Recycling and Reclamation Workers in different U.S. states.
State | Annual Mean Salary |
---|---|
Alabama | $28,700 |
Alaska | $56,120 |
Arizona | $37,420 |
Arkansas | $30,450 |
California | $34,400 |
Colorado | $35,420 |
Connecticut | $36,610 |
District of Columbia | $55,860 |
Florida | $28,220 |
Georgia | $30,030 |
Hawaii | $30,260 |
Idaho | $29,640 |
Illinois | $36,920 |
Indiana | $37,710 |
Iowa | $43,290 |
Kansas | $28,950 |
Kentucky | $28,520 |
Louisiana | $38,140 |
Maine | $34,510 |
Maryland | $36,850 |
Massachusetts | $37,970 |
Michigan | $38,980 |
Minnesota | $37,930 |
Mississippi | $28,030 |
Missouri | $31,610 |
Montana | $33,320 |
Nebraska | $27,990 |
Nevada | $36,910 |
New Hampshire | $34,340 |
New Jersey | $33,160 |
New Mexico | $50,040 |
New York | $36,960 |
North Carolina | $32,350 |
North Dakota | $34,200 |
Ohio | $35,750 |
Oklahoma | $31,400 |
Oregon | $34,610 |
Pennsylvania | $39,650 |
Rhode Island | $36,540 |
South Carolina | $35,660 |
South Dakota | $46,940 |
Tennessee | $31,000 |
Texas | $33,240 |
Utah | $30,150 |
Vermont | $32,590 |
Virginia | $30,080 |
Washington | $35,250 |
West Virginia | $29,570 |
Wisconsin | $34,000 |
Wyoming | $54,480 |
What Tools & Technology do Recycling and Reclamation Workers Use?
Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Recycling and Reclamation Workers may use on a daily basis:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Work scheduling software
How do I Become a Recycling & Reclamation Worker?
Individuals working as a Recycling and Reclamation Worker have obtained the following education levels:

What work experience do I need to become a Recycling & Reclamation Worker?

Where do Recycling and Reclamation Workers Work?

The table below shows some of the most common industries where those employed in this career field work.

References:
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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