Career Paths From Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors

Possible next moves, computed from skill overlap, O*NET occupational relatedness, preparation level, education, and pay — not a record of people who actually made these moves.

Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment OperatorsCareer Change92.3% skill match
Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors and Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators share a similar Transferable Skills profile (92% match). Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators is in a different occupational field, but draws on much of the same underlying skill set. Median salary is about 20% higher.
Current median salary
$49,690
Target median salary
$59,850
Current Job Zone
2
Target Job Zone
2
Hazardous Materials Removal WorkersCareer Change91.5% skill match
Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors and Hazardous Materials Removal Workers share a similar Transferable Skills profile (92% match). Hazardous Materials Removal Workers is in a different occupational field, but draws on much of the same underlying skill set. Job Zone is higher (3 vs 2).
Current median salary
$49,690
Target median salary
$49,450
Current Job Zone
2
Target Job Zone
3
Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, HandLateral Move91.8% skill match
Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors and Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand share a similar Transferable Skills profile (92% match). Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand sits at a similar preparation level, so this would be more of a lateral move. Median salary is about 19% lower.
Current median salary
$49,690
Target median salary
$40,240
Current Job Zone
2
Target Job Zone
2
Highway Maintenance WorkersCareer Change95.3% skill match
Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors and Highway Maintenance Workers share a similar Transferable Skills profile (95% match). Highway Maintenance Workers is in a different occupational field, but draws on much of the same underlying skill set.
Current median salary
$49,690
Target median salary
$50,260
Current Job Zone
2
Target Job Zone
2
Crane and Tower OperatorsAdvancement92.4% skill match
Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors and Crane and Tower Operators share a similar Transferable Skills profile (92% match). Crane and Tower Operators is typically a step up, requiring more preparation and paying more. Job Zone is higher (3 vs 2). Median salary is about 37% higher.
Current median salary
$49,690
Target median salary
$68,080
Current Job Zone
2
Target Job Zone
3
Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and GasCareer Change93.7% skill match
Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors and Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas share a similar Transferable Skills profile (94% match). Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas is in a different occupational field, but draws on much of the same underlying skill set. Median salary is about 37% higher.
Current median salary
$49,690
Target median salary
$67,890
Current Job Zone
2
Target Job Zone
2
Rock Splitters, QuarryCareer Change96.2% skill match
Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors and Rock Splitters, Quarry share a similar Transferable Skills profile (96% match). Rock Splitters, Quarry is in a different occupational field, but draws on much of the same underlying skill set.
Current median salary
$49,690
Target median salary
$48,740
Current Job Zone
2
Target Job Zone
2
Bridge and Lock TendersLateral Move93.7% skill match
Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors and Bridge and Lock Tenders share a similar Transferable Skills profile (94% match). Bridge and Lock Tenders sits at a similar preparation level, so this would be more of a lateral move. Median salary is about 16% higher.
Current median salary
$49,690
Target median salary
$57,700
Current Job Zone
2
Target Job Zone
2
Floor Sanders and FinishersCareer Change94.3% skill match
Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors and Floor Sanders and Finishers share a similar Transferable Skills profile (94% match). Floor Sanders and Finishers is in a different occupational field, but draws on much of the same underlying skill set.
Current median salary
$49,690
Target median salary
$50,440
Current Job Zone
2
Target Job Zone
2
Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and PlasticCareer Change94.1% skill match
Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors and Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic share a similar Transferable Skills profile (94% match). Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic is in a different occupational field, but draws on much of the same underlying skill set. Median salary is about 7% lower.
Current median salary
$49,690
Target median salary
$46,170
Current Job Zone
2
Target Job Zone
2
Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and TendersCareer Change93% skill match
Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors and Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders share a similar Transferable Skills profile (93% match). Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders is in a different occupational field, but draws on much of the same underlying skill set. Median salary is about 13% lower.
Current median salary
$49,690
Target median salary
$43,220
Current Job Zone
2
Target Job Zone
2
Landscaping and Groundskeeping WorkersCareer Change92.1% skill match
Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors and Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers share a similar Transferable Skills profile (92% match). Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers is in a different occupational field, but draws on much of the same underlying skill set. Median salary is about 21% lower.
Current median salary
$49,690
Target median salary
$39,150
Current Job Zone
2
Target Job Zone
2
Power Plant OperatorsCareer Change92.1% skill match
Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors and Power Plant Operators share a similar Transferable Skills profile (92% match). Power Plant Operators is in a different occupational field, but draws on much of the same underlying skill set. Median salary is about 105% higher.
Current median salary
$49,690
Target median salary
$102,040
Current Job Zone
2
Target Job Zone
2
Pourers and Casters, MetalCareer Change93.1% skill match
Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors and Pourers and Casters, Metal share a similar Transferable Skills profile (93% match). Pourers and Casters, Metal is in a different occupational field, but draws on much of the same underlying skill set. Median salary is about 4% higher.
Current median salary
$49,690
Target median salary
$51,810
Current Job Zone
2
Target Job Zone
2
Construction LaborersCareer Change92% skill match
Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors and Construction Laborers share a similar Transferable Skills profile (92% match). Construction Laborers is in a different occupational field, but draws on much of the same underlying skill set. Median salary is about 5% lower.
Current median salary
$49,690
Target median salary
$47,120
Current Job Zone
2
Target Job Zone
2

Computed from O*NET Transferable Skills, occupational relatedness and Job Zone data, plus BLS wage and projections data. Categories (Advancement / Lateral Move / Career Change) are derived algorithmically, not self-reported career histories.