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Garbage Picker Jobs in New York (NOW HIRING)

VPH Management Services LLC

Porter

Manhattan, NY · On-site

Take out the garbage and separate the recyclables in accordance with Sanitation Department guidelines * Pick up trash on the floors, remove stains from carpets, clean marks on the walls in the ...

Care For the Homeless

Porter (Manhattan)

New York, NY · On-site

$21.51/hr

Position garbage and recycling dumpsters for pick up on appropriate days. * Collaborate with contracted specialists to perform seasonal or specialty tasks. * Maintain inventory of custodial supplies ...

Care For the Homeless

Porter (Brooklyn)

New York, NY · On-site

$20.83/hr

Position garbage and recycling dumpsters for pick up on appropriate days. * Collaborate with contracted specialists to perform seasonal or specialty tasks. * Maintain inventory of custodial supplies ...

Care For the Homeless

Porter (Bronx)

New York, NY · On-site

$19 - $21/hr

Position garbage and recycling dumpsters for pick up on appropriate days. * Collaborate with contracted specialists to perform seasonal or specialty tasks. * Maintain inventory of custodial supplies ...

Perrigo

1st Shift Inventory Control Clerk

Bronx, NY

$21/hr

Pick orders as needed * Successfully complete all training relative to operation of automated ... Transport and empty garbage containers on daily basis as needed to the compactor area and garbage ...

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Garbage Picker information

See New York salary details

$11

$18

$22

How much do garbage picker jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 25, 2026, the average hourly pay for garbage picker in New York is $18.53, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.83 and $20.00 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a garbage picker do?

Garbage pickers, also known as waste pickers or sanitation workers, are individuals who collect, sort, and remove waste materials from public and private spaces. Their main responsibility is to keep communities clean by picking up trash, recyclables, and sometimes hazardous materials from streets, parks, and other areas. Garbage pickers often help in separating recyclable items from general waste, contributing to environmental sustainability. This job can be physically demanding and requires attention to safety and hygiene. In many places, garbage pickers play a crucial role in waste management and recycling processes.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a garbage picker?

To thrive as a Garbage Picker, you need physical stamina, attention to detail, and a basic understanding of waste sorting and safety procedures, often requiring no formal education but sometimes a high school diploma. Familiarity with personal protective equipment (PPE), waste collection tools, and sometimes handheld data devices is typical in this role. Reliability, teamwork, and a strong work ethic are important soft skills that help individuals excel. These abilities ensure efficient, safe waste collection and contribute to public health and environmental cleanliness.

What are some common challenges faced by garbage pickers, and how can they be addressed on the job?

Garbage pickers often encounter challenges such as exposure to hazardous materials, unpredictable weather conditions, and physically demanding tasks. To address these, employers typically provide protective gear, safety training, and guidelines for handling dangerous items. Teamwork and clear communication also play a key role in ensuring safety and efficiency while on route. Staying vigilant and following established protocols helps garbage pickers minimize risks and maintain a safer work environment.

What is the difference between Garbage Picker vs Waste Collector?

AspectGarbage PickerWaste Collector
CredentialsNone typically requiredMay require a valid driver’s license
Work EnvironmentResidential or commercial areas, often manual laborOn-road, operating trucks, handling larger waste loads
Industry UsageCommonly used in local sanitation servicesUsed by municipal waste management companies

Garbage Picker and Waste Collector roles often overlap, but Waste Collectors usually operate larger vehicles and handle bigger waste loads, often requiring a driver’s license. Garbage Pickers typically perform manual collection in neighborhoods. Both roles are essential in waste management and share similar credentials and work environments, but Waste Collectors tend to have more responsibilities related to vehicle operation and larger-scale collection.

Is it hard to become a garbage picker?

Becoming a garbage picker generally requires minimal formal education and physical stamina, as the job involves collecting waste from designated areas. Some positions may require knowledge of safety procedures and the use of tools like grabbers or trucks, but overall, it is accessible with basic physical ability and adherence to safety guidelines.

What are popular job titles related to Garbage Picker jobs in New York?

For Garbage Picker jobs in New York, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Garbage Picker jobs in New York look for?

The top searched job categories for Garbage Picker jobs in New York are:

Garbage Picker jobs near you
Infographic showing various Garbage Picker job openings in New York as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 68% Full Time, 27% Part Time, and 5% Temporary. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $38,533 per year, or $18.5 per hour.

CDL Class B Rear Load Garbage Truck Driver

Bernardsville, NJ • On-site

Interstate Waste Services
Environmental Consulting Services • 1 - 5K employees

5.5

Company rating: 5.5 out of 10

Based on 5 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

77th of 91 rated recycling and waste

Learn more about Interstate Waste Servicesexternal

$27.04/hr

Full-time

Re-posted 24 days ago

Job description

Overview

Interstate Waste Services is Now Hiring Commercial Rear Load Garbage Truck Drivers!

Class A or B license required - with at least 1 year CDL driving experience

Location:   Bernardsville, NJ

Hourly Pay Rate:   $27.04/Hour

Schedule:   Monday - Friday

Safety is our first Priority!

In order to be considered, please include your resume when applying

Highlights:

  • Monday thru Friday 
  • Early Start Time: 5am - 3:30pm
  • Hourly pay of $27.04 -time and 1/2 pay after 40 hours in a work week.
  • 1 Year verifiable CDL experience required
  • Full Comprehensive benefits Package

Interstate Waste Services is the most progressive and innovative provider of solid waste and recycling services in the country! We primarily service Northern New Jersey, Southern New York State, New York City, and recently expanded our operations of transfer stations into Pennsylvania and Ohio, where we also own and operate a state-of-the-art rail-served landfill. We cater to a diverse range of residential, industrial, and commercial customers. Our mission has always been to provide our customers with the highest quality waste, recycling, and environmental services, while keeping focus on employee, customer, and environmental safety.

We have mastered the ability to balance the standards of a large corporate company while maintaining our small business family style culture.

Essential Job Functions: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Other minor duties may be assigned.

Job Highlights:

  • Drivers are Responsible for Safely Operating Front, Side, or Rear-Loading Trucks, for the Pick-Up Service of Bags or Containers Filled with Waste or Recyclable Material.  Drivers transport the material to a disposal, transfer or recycle facility, and may make one or more trips throughout the shift
  • Drivers Transport the Material to a Disposal, Transfer or Recycling Facility, & May Make One or More Trips Throughout the Shift
  • We Deploy Both Manual & Automatic Trucks
  • The Driver Position May Be Required to Repeatedly Lift up to 50 Pounds, & Move & Maneuver up to 100 Pounds, As Well As Mount & Dismount the Truck Multiple Times Every Route
Requirements and Qualifications:

Requirements:

  • 21 Years of Age & Legally Eligible to Work in the United States
  • Valid Class A or B CDL
  • Airbrake Endorsement
  • 1-year CDL driving experience in the last 7 years.
  • Great Safety Record and Clean MVR
  • Experience as a Driver or Helper for a Refuge Company is Highly Preferred
  • Working Knowledge of DOT, OSHA & Applicable Traffic Regulations
  • Ability to Speak & Read English to Converse with the General Public, understand Highway Traffic & Signals, Respond to Official Questions & Make Legible Entries on Reports & Records
  • Read & Understand a Map
  • Meet Physical & Safety Requirements of the Position.
  • Willing & Able to Work Required Worked Hours as Allowed Under DOT Regulation & May Include Weekend, Night &/Or Holiday Work

Additional Job Requirements:

  • Routes may require Drivers to navigate through congested communities and confined or tight areas in city locations.
  • Highly skilled backing maneuvers are essential to successfully perform this job.
  • Our drivers routinely climb in and out of the truck cab to service customer accounts.
  • Driver pre and post inspections required. Drivers are responsible for ensuring their truck is in compliance with IWS's safety standards as well as OSHA and DOT regulations, and local traffic laws, prior to and while operating the vehicle.
Additional Information

IWS is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and do not discriminate based on race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, veteran status, disability status, or any other applicable characteristics protected by law.

Salary Range MinimumUSD $27.04/Hr.Salary Range MaximumUSD $27.04/Hr.Employment Type: OTHER

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