Refuse Driver Salary in the United States

How much does a Refuse Driver make in the United States?

As of April 01, 2026, the average salary for a Refuse Driver in the United States is $88,396 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $42.

However, a Refuse Driver's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $102,733
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $78,004 to $95,901
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $68,543
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View as table View as graph 25% $78,004 10% $68,543 90% $102,733 75% $95,901 $88,396 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Refuse Driver Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $95,901 $7,992 $1,844 $46
Average $88,396 $7,366 $1,700 $42
25th Percentile $78,004 $6,500 $1,500 $38
Check out Refuse Driver Job Openings in the United States
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Ritchie Lakeland Oil - WATERSMEET, MI

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J.B. Hunt Transport - EAST PROVIDENCE, RI

Owner Operator Truck Driver

J.B. Hunt Transport - WOONSOCKET, RI

Owner Operator Truck Driver

J.B. Hunt Transport - HOCKESSIN, DE

Search More Refuse Driver Jobs in the United States

Key Factors That Influence Refuse Driver Salaries

A Refuse Driver's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Refuse Driver Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Refuse Driver's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $86,953
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $87,386
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $88,396
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $89,551
  • Expert (over 8 years): $91,324
Levels Salary
Entry Level Refuse Driver$86,953
Intermediate Level Refuse Driver$87,386
Senior Level Refuse Driver$88,396
Specialist Level Refuse Driver$89,551
Expert Level Refuse Driver$91,324
$86,953 0 yr
$87,386 < 2 yrs
$88,396 2-4 yrs
$89,551 5-8 yrs
$91,324 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

How Do Refuse Driver Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Refuse Drivers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $97,872.
  • California: $97,501.
  • Massachusetts: $96,201.

Top Paying Cities for Refuse Drivers

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $111,494
  • San Francisco: $110,398
  • Oakland: $107,949

What Skills Can Increase a Refuse Driver's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Presentation (Mentioned in 7.3% Job Postings): Presentation conveys information from a speaker to an audience. Presentations are typically demonstrations, introduction, lecture, or speech meant to inform, persuade, inspire, motivate, build goodwill, or present a new idea/product.
  • Accounting (Mentioned in 2.22% Job Postings): Creating financial statements and reports based on the summary of financial and business transactions.
  • Financial Analysis (Mentioned in 1.59% Job Postings): Financial statement analysis (or financial analysis) is the process of reviewing and analyzing a company's financial statements to make better economic decisions to earn income in future. These statements include the income statement, balance sheet, statement of cash flows, notes to accounts and a statement of changes in equity (if applicable). Financial statement analysis is a method or process involving specific techniques for evaluating risks, performance, financial health, and future prospects of an organization. It is used by a variety of stakeholders, such as credit and equity investors, the government, the public, and decision-makers within the organization. These stakeholders have different interests and apply a variety of different techniques to meet their needs. For example, equity investors are interested in the long-term earnings power of the organization and perhaps the sustainability and growth of dividend payments. Creditors want to ensure the interest and principal is paid on the organizations debt securities (e.g., bonds) when due.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Presentation 7.3%
Accounting 2.22%
Financial Analysis 1.59%
What skills can make your compensation higher?
Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Refuse Driver's salary.
  • Mortgage Lending: Can increase your salary by up to 54%.
  • Intellectual Property Licensing: Can increase your salary by up to 33%.
  • Fintech: Can increase your salary by up to 21%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Mortgage Lending
$136,130
54%
Intellectual Property Licensing
$117,567
33%
Fintech
$106,959
21%
Business Planning
$104,307
18%
Budget Management
$102,539
16%
Consulting
$100,771
14%
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How Education impacts a Refuse Driver's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Refuse Drivers enter the field with a Associate's Degree degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Refuse Driver with a Associate's Degree is between $86,930 and $95,805).

Refuse Driver Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Refuse Driver
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 10.8%
High School 10.8%
Associates 10.8%
Bachelors 51.4%
Masters 21.6%
Doctorate 5.4%
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Refuse Driver Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Refuse Driver's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on April 01, 2026

Salary Trends for Refuse Driver

Salaries for a Refuse Driver can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $123,817 in 2023 to around $123,225 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Refuse Driver salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Refuse Driver Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$123,817
2024
$125,009
2025
$123,225
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $123,817
2024 $125,009
2025 $123,225
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Refuse Driver

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Refuse Driver

Here are companies hiring for Refuse Driver and their salaries, click below for more details.

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Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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