How much does a Solid Waste Truck Driver make?
Solid waste truck drivers play a vital role in keeping communities clean and safe. They collect and transport waste to processing or disposal sites. The average yearly salary for a solid waste truck driver is around $49,880. This salary can vary based on experience, location, and other factors.
The salary for solid waste truck drivers can range from about $35,220 to $69,478 per year. Here is a breakdown of the salary distribution:
- 6.99% earn $35,220 or less
- 7.93% earn between $35,220 and $38,334
- 10.21% earn between $38,334 and $41,449
- 13.97% earn between $41,449 and $44,563
- 12.90% earn between $44,563 and $47,677
- 13.44% earn between $47,677 and $50,792
- 11.29% earn between $50,792 and $53,906
- 9.41% earn between $53,906 and $57,021
- 4.57% earn between $57,021 and $60,135
- 2.42% earn between $60,135 and $63,249
- 1.88% earn $63,249 or more
What are the highest paying cities for a Solid Waste Truck Driver?

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Baltimore, MD
Average Salary: $54,440
In Baltimore, driving a solid waste truck is a vital role. Workers collect and transport waste to processing facilities. The city's waste management department offers a stable job with good benefits.
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Raleigh, NC
Average Salary: $52,000
Raleigh offers a clean and efficient environment for waste management professionals. Drivers collect waste from residential and commercial areas. The city's commitment to sustainability makes this job rewarding.
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Phoenix, AZ
Average Salary: $50,407
Phoenix provides a dynamic environment for waste management drivers. The city's hot climate requires efficient and timely waste collection. Drivers work for companies like Republic Services, ensuring a reliable job.
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Indianapolis, IN
Average Salary: $49,990
In Indianapolis, waste management drivers play a crucial role in keeping the city clean. The job involves collecting waste from various neighborhoods. Companies like Waste Management offer good career opportunities.
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Bakersfield, CA
Average Salary: $49,524
Bakersfield offers a growing market for waste management drivers. The job involves collecting and transporting waste to recycling and disposal sites. The city's expanding population increases job opportunities.
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Sacramento, CA
Average Salary: $49,204
Sacramento provides a stable job for waste management drivers. The city's focus on environmental sustainability makes this role important. Drivers collect waste from both urban and suburban areas.
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San Antonio, TX
Average Salary: $48,920
In San Antonio, waste management drivers help maintain the city's cleanliness. The job involves collecting waste from residential and commercial areas. Companies like Waste Connections offer good benefits and job security.
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Philadelphia, PA
Average Salary: $47,767
Philadelphia offers a diverse job for waste management drivers. The city's waste management department provides a stable job with good benefits. Drivers collect waste from various neighborhoods, ensuring the city stays clean.
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Chicago, IL
Average Salary: $47,206
Chicago provides a bustling environment for waste management drivers. The city's large population requires efficient waste collection. Drivers work for companies like Waste Management, ensuring a reliable job.
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Tuscaloosa, AL
Average Salary: $46,781
In Tuscaloosa, waste management drivers play a key role in keeping the city clean. The job involves collecting waste from residential and commercial areas. The city's focus on sustainability makes this role rewarding.
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What are the best companies a Solid Waste Truck Driver can work for?

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Republic Services
Average Salary: $54,203
Republic Services offers solid waste truck driver jobs with a competitive salary. They operate in many cities across the U.S. Drivers work in urban and suburban areas, ensuring waste is collected and processed efficiently.
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Texas Disposal Systems
Average Salary: $53,925
Texas Disposal Systems provides solid waste truck driver positions with a good salary. They serve several locations in Texas. Their drivers play a key role in maintaining cleanliness and hygiene in their communities.
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Foss Recycling Inc
Average Salary: $52,000
Foss Recycling Inc offers solid waste truck driver jobs with a solid salary. They work in various locations in the Midwest. Drivers here are essential for recycling efforts and community waste management.
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Waste Connections
Average Salary: $51,681
Waste Connections provides solid waste truck driver jobs with a decent salary. They operate in many cities across the U.S. Drivers here are vital for waste collection and environmental sustainability.
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Mark Dunning Industries
Average Salary: $50,140
Mark Dunning Industries offers solid waste truck driver jobs with a fair salary. They serve several locations in the Southeast. Drivers here help keep communities clean and manage waste effectively.
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Sunshine Disposal
Average Salary: $49,731
Sunshine Disposal provides solid waste truck driver jobs with a good salary. They operate in various locations in Florida. Drivers here are key to waste management and community cleanliness.
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Athens Clarke County
Average Salary: $38,439
Athens Clarke County offers solid waste truck driver jobs with a lower salary. They serve Athens and Clarke County in Georgia. Drivers here are important for waste collection and community sanitation.
How to earn more as a Solid Waste Truck Driver?
Solid waste truck drivers play a vital role in keeping communities clean and healthy. If you want to earn more in this profession, consider these key factors. Each one can help you increase your earnings and advance your career.
First, gaining experience is crucial. More experienced drivers often earn higher wages. They know the best routes, schedules, and safety practices. Experience also makes you more reliable and efficient. Employers value these qualities and may offer higher pay. Second, obtaining additional certifications can boost your salary. Certifications in hazardous materials handling or forklift operation can make you more valuable. They can also open up higher-paying job opportunities. Third, working for larger companies or municipal waste services can lead to better pay. These employers often have more resources and may offer higher wages. They also provide more benefits and opportunities for advancement. Fourth, consider working overtime or during peak seasons. Many waste management companies offer extra pay for overtime hours. Seasonal work, such as during holidays or special events, can also increase your earnings. Finally, networking with other professionals in the industry can lead to higher-paying jobs. Attend industry events, join professional groups, and connect with colleagues. These relationships can help you learn about job openings and opportunities for advancement.
By focusing on these factors, solid waste truck drivers can increase their earnings and improve their career prospects. Experience, certifications, company size, overtime, and networking all play important roles. Taking these steps can lead to a more rewarding and lucrative career.
- Gain experience
- Obtain additional certifications
- Work for larger companies or municipal services
- Work overtime or during peak seasons
- Network with other professionals