Recycling & Reclamation Workers

Also Called: Sort Line Worker, Sorter, Transfer Station Operator

High School Diploma/GED

usually needed

Not Available
(Students Only)
Match Percentage

$29,480

Entry Salary

Bright

Job outlook

What Recycling & Reclamation Workers do

Prepare and sort materials or products for recycling. Identify and remove hazardous substances. Dismantle components of products such as appliances.

  • 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.
Industry Areas:

Construction

Training Program Areas:

HVAC • OCT-Only Construction

Expand For Additional Details

Work Context

  • Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets
  • Exposed to Contaminants
  • Duration of Typical Work Week
  • Outdoors, Exposed to Weather
  • Spend Time Standing

Tools

  • Packaging compactors
  • Front end loaders
  • Screwdrivers
  • Cargo trucks
  • Sorters

Technology

Spreadsheet software
Microsoft Excel
Office suite software
Microsoft Office
Word processing software
Microsoft Word

The Education & Training You Need

Skills

  • Operation and Control
  • Active Listening
  • Monitoring
  • Operation Monitoring

Knowledge

Manufactured or Agricultural Goods
manufacture and distribution of products
Engineering and Technology
mechanical
Business
management
customer service
Safety and Government
public safety and security

Education

  • 74% High school diploma or equivalent
  • 15% Associate's degree
  • 8% Doctoral degree

Experience

Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is usually needed. For example, a teller would benefit from experience working directly with the public.

What are some related occupations at different educational levels?


Job Training Match

Recycling & Reclamation Workers Currently Selected

Educational Level

High School Diploma or Equivalent

 Job Training Match

Construction & Building Inspectors

Educational Level

Post-secondary, non-degree

 Job Training Match

First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades & Extraction Workers

Educational Level

Associate's Degree

 Job Training Match

Landscape Architects

Educational Level

Bachelor's Degree

Educational Level

Advanced Degree

What are your training options on the pathway to this occupation?

Advanced Training

There are currently no advanced training opportunities for this career.

ACT & College

There are currently no college programs for this career.

Apprenticeships

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Are You a Good Fit?

Occupation Traits

    • Conventional (Organizer)
    • Realistic (Doer)

Work Styles

  • Dependability
  • Integrity
  • Self Control
  • Attention to Detail
  • Cooperation
  • Adaptability/Flexibility

Values

  • Support
  • Relationships
  • Working Conditions

Abilities

  • Hand and Finger Use
  • Controlled Movement

This is what Recycling & Reclamation Workers across the country typically make.

$14.18 / hour
$29,480 /year

Entry Level

$18.10 / hour
$37,660 /year

Median Level

$24.17 / hour
$50,280 /year

Experienced Level

Income information reflects a regional average.
Income information reflects a national average.

This career’s National Job Outlook is

Bright

Please be sure to verify the outlook of this occupation with your instructor.

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