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Garbage Helper Jobs in Minnesota (NOW HIRING)

CDL Route Driver

Lakeville, MN · On-site

$27 - $28/hr

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: • Ability to safely operate a garbage truck on specified routes to ... no helpers. • Operate hydraulic hand controls to lift/load refuse and dispose of trash at ...

We help the county manage waste by burning garbage to create energy for the electric grid and steam for nearby buildings. In the Utility Operator position, you help the team by facilitating the ...

We help the county manage waste by burning garbage to create energy for the electric grid and steam for nearby buildings. In the Utility Operator position, you help the team by facilitating the ...

Dietary Aide

Minneapolis, MN

$14 - $17.75/hr

... take out garbage * Clean food stations and wash dishes, cooking vessels and silverware * Stock ingredients and monitor inventory * Assist in keeping track of expenses and menu planning * Help ...

Cook - Full Time

Thief River Falls, MN · On-site

$13.50 - $18/hr

... garbage disposals, refrigerators and freezers. Possesses ability to work independently when ... If you are an individual with a disability and would like to request an accommodation for help with ...

Dietary Aide

Saint Louis Park, MN · On-site

$14 - $17.75/hr

... take out garbage * Clean food stations and wash dishes, cooking vessels and silverware * Stock ingredients and monitor inventory * Assist in keeping track of expenses and menu planning * Help ...

Dietary Aide

Saint Louis Park, MN · On-site

$14 - $17.75/hr

... take out garbage * Clean food stations and wash dishes, cooking vessels and silverware * Stock ingredients and monitor inventory * Assist in keeping track of expenses and menu planning * Help ...

Baker - Full Time

Thief River Falls, MN · On-site

$12.50 - $16.50/hr

... garbage disposals, refrigerators and freezers. Possesses ability to work independently when ... If you are an individual with a disability and would like to request an accommodation for help with ...

Cook - Full Time

Thief River Falls, MN · On-site

$13.50 - $18/hr

... garbage disposals, refrigerators and freezers. Possesses ability to work independently when ... If you are an individual with a disability and would like to request an accommodation for help with ...

Baker - Full Time

Thief River Falls, MN · On-site

$12.50 - $16.50/hr

... garbage disposals, refrigerators and freezers. Possesses ability to work independently when ... If you are an individual with a disability and would like to request an accommodation for help with ...

Showing results 41-60

Garbage Helper information

See Minnesota salary details

$9

$17

$22

How much do garbage helper jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 7, 2026, the average hourly pay for garbage helper in Minnesota is $17.18, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $14.86 and $19.33 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a garbage helper do?

A Garbage Helper, also known as a sanitation worker or refuse collector, assists in collecting and disposing of residential and commercial waste. They typically ride on garbage trucks, lift and empty trash bins into the truck, and ensure that waste is properly loaded for transportation to disposal or recycling facilities. The job requires physical stamina, attention to safety, and the ability to work in various weather conditions. Garbage Helpers play an essential role in keeping communities clean and reducing health hazards associated with improper waste disposal.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a garbage helper, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Garbage Helper, you need physical stamina, basic knowledge of waste collection procedures, and often a high school diploma or equivalent. Familiarity with garbage trucks, hydraulic lifts, and safety equipment is typically required on the job. Dependability, teamwork, and attention to safety are crucial soft skills that help ensure efficient operations. These skills and qualities are important to maintain public health, prevent workplace accidents, and support reliable waste management services.

What are some common challenges faced by a garbage helper and how can they be managed?

Garbage Helpers often face challenges such as exposure to unpleasant odors, inclement weather, and physically demanding tasks like lifting heavy bins. To manage these, it's important to use proper protective gear such as gloves and masks, follow safety protocols to avoid injuries, and maintain good communication with the driver and crew to ensure efficient workflow. Over time, many find that teamwork and adapting to a routine help make the role more manageable and rewarding.

What is the difference between Garbage Helper vs Waste Collector?

AspectGarbage HelperWaste Collector
Required CredentialsHigh school diploma or equivalent, on-the-job trainingHigh school diploma or equivalent, valid driver’s license, sometimes CDL
Work EnvironmentResidential and commercial areas, often assisting with waste collectionOutdoor routes, operating trucks, collecting waste from designated areas
Employer & Industry UsageWaste management companies, sanitation servicesMunicipal waste departments, private waste collection firms
Common Search & ComparisonOften compared for entry-level roles assisting waste collectionPrimary role in waste collection services

Garbage Helpers assist Waste Collectors by handling waste, sorting, and supporting collection routes. While both roles work in waste management, Waste Collectors are responsible for operating trucks and collecting waste directly from customers, whereas Garbage Helpers typically perform supportive tasks. Understanding these differences helps job seekers find the right position in the waste management industry.

How to become a garbage helper?

To become a garbage helper, you typically need a high school diploma or equivalent and physical stamina for lifting and working outdoors. Job requirements often include a valid driver's license and the ability to operate waste collection equipment; some positions may require background checks or safety training. On-the-job training is common, and the work usually involves early morning or evening shifts in a team environment.

What qualifications do you need to be a garbage helper?

To be a garbage helper, no formal education is typically required, but physical strength and stamina are important for lifting and moving heavy waste. Basic knowledge of safety procedures and the ability to work outdoors in various weather conditions are also essential; some employers may require a valid driver's license if operating or assisting with waste collection vehicles.

What are the most commonly searched types of Garbage jobs in Minnesota?

The most popular types of Garbage jobs in Minnesota are:

What cities in Minnesota are hiring for Garbage Helper jobs?

Cities in Minnesota with the most Garbage Helper job openings:

Infographic showing various Garbage Helper job openings in Minnesota as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 65% Full Time, 29% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 100% Physical job distribution, with an average salary of $35,743 per year, or $17.2 per hour.

Housekeeping - 1st and 2nd Shift Part Time

Mall of America

Bloomington, MN • On-site

$16.25/hr

Part-time, Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 5 days ago


Key responsibilities

  • Clean and maintain mall common areas, restrooms, elevators, transit stations, food court, and amusement park areas.

  • Respond to radio calls for wet spills, broken glass, sharps, and biohazards, ensuring safe cleanup and placement of wet floor signs.

  • Patrol common areas during mall hours to remove litter, graffiti, stickers, and gum, and complete daily cleaning checklists and logs.


Mall of America rating

6.5

Company rating: 6.5 out of 10

Based on 47 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz


Job description

PURPOSE: Maintain the cleanliness of Mall of America while providing a memorable shopping and entertainment experience.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITES:
  • Clean and maintain mall common areas, including emptying trash, mopping, dusting, and cleaning tile floors, escalators, elevators, furniture, and fixtures.
  • Respond to radio calls for wet spills, including clean up and placing wet floor signs.
  • Clean restrooms including sinks, toilets, stalls, mirrors, walls, floors, biohazards and stocking of supplies.
  • Use radio to communicate and respond to team members and leaders
  • Clean elevators; involving cleaning in semi-enclosed space.
  • Clean transit station interior, including restrooms, common area, and dusting lockers.
  • Ensure safe practices while cleaning up broken glass, sharps and biohazard in common area, restrooms, food courts, and transit
  • Responsible for organizing and transporting a cleaning supply cart.
  • Patrol common areas during mall hours; cleaning and removing litter, graffiti, stickers, gum etc.
  • Clean entrance vestibules and skyways.
  • Clean food court areas, including cleaning and bussing tables, changing garbage, sweeping, mopping, rearranging and resetting furniture daily.
  • Recirculate food court trays to tenant spaces.
  • Clean amusement park common areas, including queue lines, garbage cans, wet spills, and restrooms.
  • Complete daily restroom checklists and cleaning logs; return to supervisor.
  • Represent MOA and provide excellent customer service.
  • Maintain an understanding of MOA geography to assist guests and answer questions daily.
  • Work a flexible schedule including nights, weekends, and holidays.
  • Additional duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:
  • Must be at least 16 years of age.
  • Previous housekeeping experience, preferrable commercial cleaning, preferred.
  • Previous retail experience, preferred.
  • Able to tolerate extended periods of walking and standing.
  • Basic written and verbal communication.
  • Good customer service skills.
  • Previous experience operating commercial cleaning equipment, preferred.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
While performing the duties of this job, the team member will frequently be required to speak and listen to guests, tenants and co-workers in order to understand their needs, respond, react and communicate a solution. Team member must also possess a level of hearing that will continuously allow them to be aware of their surroundings and recognize when a team members and guest needs their attention. Specific vision abilities required by this job include frequent close vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus. Team members are required to be able to tolerate multiple sensory stimuli at once while performing their duties. These stimuli may include: loud auditory/noise, smells/olfactory, bright lights, colors, motion, hot/cold temperatures, and other visual stimuli.
  • Walk: Continuously, about 90% of the time
  • Stand: Continuously, about 90 % of the time
  • Sit: Rarely, about 5% of the time
  • Bend/Stoop: Occasionally, about 60% of the time
  • Kneel/Squat: Rarely, about 5% of the time
  • Climb: Rarely, about 5% of the time
  • Lift/Carry
    • Less than 10lb: Frequently, about 75% of the time
    • 11-25lb: Occasionally, about 40% of the time
    • 26-50lb: Infrequently, about 20% of the time
  • Push/Pull: Frequently, about 75% of the time
  • Twist: Occasionally, about 60% of the time
  • Reach above shoulders: Infrequently, about 25% of the time
  • Reach at or below shoulders: Frequently, about 70% of the time
  • Reach at/below waist: Occasionally, about 40% of the time
  • Dexterity: Frequently about 80% of the time
    • Use of both hands is needed to perform duties and maintain safety standards

Mall of America is an equal-opportunity employer and is committed to providing a workplace free from harassment or discrimination. All employment decisions are to be made without regard to race, color, age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, marital status, genetic information, pregnancy, national origin, citizenship, physical/mental disability, military status, or any other basis prohibited by law.
Pay is based on many aspects which vary based on position. These include labor markets and, in some instances, may include education, work experience and certifications. In addition to your pay, Mall of America is passionate about the future of our team members, we want to ensure you have a wealth of support and resources, to care for yourself and your loved ones. Our one-of-a-kind job perks for most team members include, team member discounts, free Nickelodeon Universe ride passes, Teladoc, Employee Assistance Program, generous tuition reimbursement, and FREE Metro Pass Universal Pass. Mall of America offers eligible team members and their dependents comprehensive health benefits and programs, which may include medical, vision, dental, life insurance and more, to help you and your loved one's care for your whole selves. Other benefits for eligible team members include 401(k) match, short term disability, long term disability, paid parental leave, and paid vacation. Find competitive benefits from financial and education to well-being and beyond at Job Perks + Benefits | Mall of America®

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