Waste Management Worker Salary in the United States

How much does a Waste Management Worker make in the United States?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Waste Management Worker in the United States is $79,701 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $38.

However, a Waste Management Worker's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $83,687
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $71,225 to $81,788
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $63,507
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View as table View as graph 25% $71,225 10% $63,507 90% $83,687 75% $81,788 $79,701 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Waste Management Worker Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $81,788 $6,816 $1,573 $39
Average $79,701 $6,642 $1,533 $38
25th Percentile $71,225 $5,935 $1,370 $34
Check out Waste Management Worker Job Openings in the United States
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Key Factors That Influence Waste Management Worker Salaries

A Waste Management Worker'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.

Top Paying Cities for Waste Management Workers

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: $100,527
  • San Francisco: $99,427
  • Oakland: $97,331

What Skills Can Increase a Waste Management Worker's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Risk Management (Mentioned in 27.67% Job Postings): Risk management is the identification, evaluation, and prioritization of risks (defined in ISO 31000 as the effect of uncertainty on objectives) followed by coordinated and economical application of resources to minimize, monitor, and control the probability or impact of unfortunate events or to maximize the realization of opportunities. Risks can come from various sources including uncertainty in financial markets, threats from project failures (at any phase in design, development, production, or sustainment life-cycles), legal liabilities, credit risk, accidents, natural causes and disasters, deliberate attack from an adversary, or events of uncertain or unpredictable root-cause. There are two types of events i.e. negative events can be classified as risks while positive events are classified as opportunities. Several risk management standards have been developed including the Project Management Institute, the National Institute of Standards and Technology, actuarial societies, and ISO standards. Methods, definitions and goals vary widely according to whether the risk management method is in the context of project management, security, engineering, industrial processes, financial portfolios, actuarial assessments, or public health and safety.
  • Financial Services (Mentioned in 1.15% Job Postings): A services provided by the finance industry, which encompasses a broad range of businesses that manage money. These services involve banking, brokerage, mortgages, credit cards, payment services, real estate, investment funds, taxes and accounting.
  • Security Systems (Mentioned in 0.87% Job Postings): Security and protection system, any of various means or devices designed to guard persons and property against a broad range of hazards, including crime, fire, accidents, espionage, sabotage, subversion, and attack.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Risk Management 27.67%
Financial Services 1.15%
Security Systems 0.87%
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 Waste Management Worker's salary.
  • Risk Analysis: Can increase your salary by up to 23%.
  • Cybersecurity: Can increase your salary by up to 20%.
  • Information Security: Can increase your salary by up to 15%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Risk Analysis
$98,033
23%
Cybersecurity
$95,642
20%
Information Security
$91,657
15%
Treasury
$90,860
14%
Investment Banking
$90,063
13%
Consulting
$89,266
12%
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Waste Management Worker Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Waste Management Worker roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 65% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Software & Networking and Healthcare sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 35% above the average. In contrast, Waste Management Worker positions in Retail & Wholesale or Transportation typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Waste Management Worker as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Waste Management Worker

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Software & Networking$107,597$52.035%
Healthcare$103,612$50.030%
Financial Services$99,627$48.025%
Biotechnology$87,672$42.010%
Energy & Utilities$83,686$40.05%

How Education impacts a Waste Management Worker's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Waste Management Workers enter the field with a No Diploma 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 Waste Management Worker with a No Diploma is between $70,919 and $76,033).

Waste Management Worker Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Waste Management Worker
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 4.2%
High School 4.2%
Associates 8.3%
Bachelors 45.8%
Masters 37.5%
Doctorate 0.0%
view as graph

Waste Management Worker Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Waste Management Worker'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 August 01, 2026

Salary Trends for Waste Management Worker

Salaries for a Waste Management Worker can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $75,368 in 2023 to around $74,490 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Waste Management Worker salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Waste Management Worker Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$75,368
2024
$75,266
2025
$74,490
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $75,368
2024 $75,266
2025 $74,490
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Waste Management Worker

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Waste Management Worker

Here are companies hiring for Waste Management Worker and their salaries, click below for more details.

Find Your Next Waste Management Worker Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Waste Management Worker job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

United States
  • Titan Medical Group, LLC

    Columbus, OH

    Titan Medical Group, LLC | Columbus, OH

    Travel Or Position. Titan Medical is looking for travelers to fill a travel OR position for a 13-week assignment in Columbus, OH more

    13 Days Ago

  • Aya Healthcare

    Columbus, OH

    Aya Healthcare | Columbus, OH

    Registered Nurse. Pay: $2,017.00 to $2,238.04 weekly. Assignment Length: 13 Weeks. Schedule: 3x12-Hour 19:00 - 07:30. Openings: 1. Start Date: 09/08/2026. ... more

    13 Days Ago

  • Confidential

    Columbus, OH

    Confidential | Columbus, OH

    Associate Vice President, Internal Communications. About the Company. National consulting & advisory services firm focused on the healthcare industry. Indu... more

    16 Days Ago

  • C.R. England

    Columbus, OH

    C.R. England | Columbus, OH

    Job Description. C.R. England is Now Urgently Hiring Local Dedicated CDL-A Truck Drivers. \n. Dedicated Local Fleet - Home Daily - Competitive Pay* - Full ... more

    21 Days Ago

  • Confidential

    Columbus, OH

    Confidential | Columbus, OH

    Vice President, Payments Engineering. About the Company. Globally-recognized provider of corporate payment solutions. Industry. Financial Services. Type. P... more

    23 Days Ago

  • Confidential

    Columbus, OH

    Confidential | Columbus, OH

    Senior Vice President of Project Delivery. About the Company. A multi-billion-dollar construction organization with collaborative, servant-minded leadershi... more

    23 Days Ago

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FAQ about Waste Management Worker

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Waste Management Worker?

The Software & Networking industry offers the highest average compensation for Waste Management Worker roles, with salaries approximately 35% above the market median.

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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