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Occupational Employment Statistics


DETAILED OCCUPATION DATA

53-7081 Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors



Collect and dump refuse or recyclable materials from containers into truck. May drive truck.

Geography Click link for Career Profile EmploymentEmp SE*Percentiles
Mean10th25thMedian75th90th
Minnesota 2,390198$27.00/hr$17.55/hr$22.92/hr$29.81/hr$31.90/hr$33.34/hr


IndustryOES Employment (Statewide)OES Median Wage (Statewide)
Professional and Business Services2,000$30.04/hr
Education and Health ServicesN/AN/A
Public Administration380$23.74/hr
 
Geography Click link for details EmploymentMedian WageProjections
% Change 2022-2032
La Crosse WI-MN MSA N/AN/AN/A
St Cloud MN MSA N/AN/AN/A
Mankato-North Mankato MN MSA 30$22.56/hrN/A
Grand Forks ND-MN MSA 50$24.20/hrN/A
Northeast Balance of State 50$22.84/hrN/A
Rochester MN MSA 80$24.72/hrN/A
Fargo ND-MN MSA 100$28.14/hrN/A
Duluth MN-WI MSA 120$23.76/hrN/A
Southeast Balance of State 120$25.52/hrN/A
Southeast Minnesota 160$25.52/hr7.4%
Northeast Minnesota 170$23.75/hr9.0%
Southwest Balance of State 170$27.49/hrN/A
Southwest Minnesota 230$24.99/hr7.3%
Northwest Balance of State 300$26.49/hrN/A
Central Minnesota 320$27.37/hr9.8%
Northwest Minnesota 350$26.60/hr5.9%
Seven County Mpls-St Paul, MN 1,140$31.59/hr4.2%
Minneapolis-St Paul-Bloomington MN-WI MSA 1,360$31.20/hrN/A
Minnesota 2,390$29.81/hr5.6%


Occupations Click link for details EmploymentMedian WageProjections
% Change 2022-2032
Light Truck Drivers 17,290$23.39/hr9.1%
Tree Trimmers and Pruners N/A$29.77/hrN/A
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers 39,390$29.89/hr5.8%


  • Refuel trucks or add other fluids, such as oil or brake fluid.
  • Organize schedules for refuse collection.
  • Fill out defective equipment reports.
  • Provide quotes for refuse collection contracts.
  • Make special pickups of recyclable materials, such as food scraps, used oil, discarded computers, or other electronic items.
  • Inspect trucks prior to beginning routes to ensure safe operating condition.
  • Sort items set out for recycling and throw materials into designated truck compartments.
  • Tag garbage or recycling containers to inform customers of problems, such as excess garbage or inclusion of items that are not permitted.
  • Drive trucks, following established routes, through residential streets or alleys or through business or industrial areas.
  • Dump refuse or recyclable materials at disposal sites.