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Plant Helper Jobs in Washington (NOW HIRING)

Willing to help others with the ability to create a cohesive and productive work environment. • ... the plant is operating at peak efficiency, and take steps to optimize production • Must have ...

Yes Outside Plant Engineer Make meaningful contributions that fuel critical outcomes for some of ... An internal mobility team focused on helping you achieve your career goals Rewards: Comprehensive ...

... that help them achieve carbon-negative outcomes. Our Vision Reworld is leading the charge to a ... The Shift Supervisor will routinely tour the plant and oversee the work of various personnel, while ...

Plant Maintenance Technician, MRF

Elkridge, MD · On-site

$21.75 - $29.50/hr

Stock Purchase Plan, Pension, and more WM is there, helping build the best and total you. The hours and location you'll work in as a Plant Maintenance Technician with WM: * Monday - Friday every week ...

... that help them achieve carbon-negative outcomes. Our Vision Reworld is leading the charge to a ... The Shift Supervisor will routinely tour the plant and oversee the work of various personnel, while ...

Plant Maintenance Technician, MRF

Elkridge, MD · On-site

$21.75 - $29.50/hr

Stock Purchase Plan, Pension, and more WM is there, helping build the best and total you. The hours and location you'll work in as a Plant Maintenance Technician with WM: * Monday - Friday every week ...

Plant Maintenance Technician, MRF

Elkridge, MD · On-site

$21.75 - $29.50/hr

Stock Purchase Plan, Pension, and more WM is there, helping build the best and total you. The hours and location you'll work in as a Plant Maintenance Technician with WM: * Monday - Friday every week ...

Balance of Plant Engineer

Bethesda, MD · On-site

$110K - $240K/yr

... plant and the surrounding support systems for maritime applications. We will install these plants ... We will help develop the licensed operators to unlock this new capability for your energy intensive ...

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Plant Helper information

See Washington salary details

$10

$20

$30

How much do plant helper jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 14, 2026, the average hourly pay for plant helper in Washington is $20.91, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $17.16 and $23.70 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the day-to-day responsibilities of a plant helper?

Plant Helpers typically assist with a variety of tasks to ensure the smooth operation of manufacturing or processing facilities. Daily duties may include cleaning and maintaining equipment, moving materials, monitoring production lines, and assisting skilled operators or technicians as needed. They play a critical support role by helping to minimize downtime and maintain safety standards, often working closely with other team members. This hands-on position is a good entry point for those interested in advancing to more specialized roles within the plant.

What is a plant helper?

Plant Helpers are entry-level workers who assist with basic tasks in manufacturing plants, factories, or industrial settings. Their duties may include cleaning equipment, moving materials, assisting machine operators, and helping maintain a safe and orderly work environment. Plant Helpers play a key role in supporting production teams by performing manual labor and ensuring daily operations run smoothly. The position often requires physical stamina and attention to safety protocols. It can be a good starting point for individuals interested in learning about industrial or manufacturing careers.

What skills and qualifications are needed to be a plant helper?

To thrive as a Plant Helper, you generally need a high school diploma or equivalent, basic mechanical aptitude, and familiarity with industrial safety protocols. Experience with hand tools, forklifts, and possibly safety certifications like OSHA training are commonly required. Reliability, teamwork, and a willingness to learn are standout soft skills in this role. These skills help ensure safe, efficient plant operations and support overall productivity in a manufacturing or industrial environment.

What is the difference between Plant Helper vs Greenhouse Worker?

AspectPlant HelperGreenhouse Worker
Required CredentialsHigh school diploma or equivalent; no formal certification neededHigh school diploma; may require basic horticulture knowledge
Work EnvironmentNurseries, farms, or outdoor planting sitesGreenhouses, indoor plant facilities
Employer & Industry UsageNurseries, landscaping companies, farmsGreenhouse operations, horticulture farms
Common Search & ComparisonOften compared for entry-level plant care rolesMore specialized, indoor plant care roles

Plant Helpers assist with basic plant care tasks in outdoor or nursery settings, while Greenhouse Workers focus on maintaining plants inside greenhouses. Both roles require similar credentials and are used in related industries, but Greenhouse Workers typically work indoors with more specialized tasks.

What are the most commonly searched types of Plant jobs in Washington?

The most popular types of Plant jobs in Washington are:

What are popular job titles related to Plant Helper jobs in Washington?

For Plant Helper jobs in Washington, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Plant Helper jobs in Washington look for?

The top searched job categories for Plant Helper jobs in Washington are:

What cities in Washington are hiring for Plant Helper jobs?

Cities in Washington with the most Plant Helper job openings:

Infographic showing various Plant Helper job openings in Washington as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $43,495 per year, or $20.9 per hour.

Plant Maintenance Technician

Waste Management

Capitol Heights, MD

$22 - $29.75/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life

Posted 9 days ago


Waste Management rating

7.5

Company rating: 7.5 out of 10

Based on 645 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

27th of 90 rated recycling and waste


Job description

Hiring today, for tomorrow 

Are you seeking a safer work environment as a Plant Maintenance Technician? Is your family's financial security important to you? Aspiring to advance in your Plant Maintenance Technician career? Searching for a company that prioritizes its employees' well-being? If this speaks to you, then WM might be the place for your next career move. 

Career progression, stability for your family, and a safe environment to work. That's what you get as a Plant Maintenance Technician at WM - and more. 

 The pay and benefits you'll get as a Plant Maintenance Technician: 

  • Stable hours for your financial stability 
  • Uniforms and PPE provided 
  • Extensive paid training opportunities 
  • A fun and engaging work environment with clear career progression opportunities 
  • Comprehensive healthcare coverage including Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance and Short-Term Disability 
  • Stock Purchase Plan, Pension, and more 

 WM is there, helping build the best and total you. 

The hours and location you'll work in as a Plant Maintenance Technician with WM: 

  • Monday - Friday every week 
  • We're committed to offering you stable hours for the financial security and work-life balance you need.

Those are the key details this on pay and schedule - now here's more on what you'll be doing as a Plant Maintenance Technician at WM.

 Each day, you'll play a key role in keeping our plant running at its best, maintaining everything from balers and conveyor belts to gearboxes, electrical motors, pulleys, shafts, and bearings. As a Plant Maintenance Mechanic, you'll jump into action when systems fail, using your skills to quickly identify and fix issues, ensuring everything is back up and running safely and efficiently. You'll work with cutting-edge equipment and tackle challenges that require both expertise and determination. Reporting to the Plant Maintenance Manager, you'll help drive the success of our operations, ensuring the plant runs smoothly and safely at all times. 

 Here's more of what you'll do: 

  • Conduct preventive maintenance inspections (PM) and diagnose, repair, and rebuild major equipment and components, including balers, conveyors, hydraulic power packs, eddy currents, electro-magnetic belts, optical sorters, diverters, compressors, trash compactors, motors, glass breakers, wire tie systems, fans, pumps, forklifts, front-end loaders, and building equipment. 
  • Maintain the Daily Equipment Inspections (DEI) backlog. 
  • Adjust work procedures to meet production schedules and inform the Sr. Plant Maintenance Manager if additional work is needed or cannot be completed within Standard Repair Times (SRTs). 
  • Inspect the quality of third-party repairs and rebuilds. 
  • Recommend improvements to enhance production, equipment performance, and product quality. 
  • Multitask and manage multiple priorities with efficiency. 
  • Respond to emergency breakdown service calls. 
  • Perform work with limited supervision while maintaining high standards of performance. 
  • Be flexible with your work schedule, which may include nights and weekends to meet operational needs. 
  • Maintain a clean, safe work area in compliance with Corporate/OSHA standards and ensure all work is completed according to safety procedures. 
  • Perform repairs in line with Waste Management Safety, Life Critical Rules, and OSHA requirements. 

 What do you need to be considered for the role of a Plant Maintenance Technician? 

  • 2 years of relevant work experience 
  • Be over 18 years of age. 
  • Legally eligible to work in the United States. 
  • Ability to perform physical requirements of the position with or without reasonable accommodations. 
  • Successfully complete and pass pre-employment drug screen and physical. 

The kind of people who thrive in our teams: 

  • Team players who care about everyone in the shop
  • Happy working independently and as part of a team
  • Likes variety - every day provides a new challenge 
  • Determined problem solvers. 

 Work environment and physical demands 

  • Listed below are key points regarding physical demands, physical and occupational risks, and the work environment of the job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job. 
  • Required to use motor coordination with arms, hands, fingers, and legs. 
  • Required to engage in physical activity that includes pushing, pulling, bending, and lifting objects more than 50 pounds. 
  • Required to work from ladders or raised platforms. 
  • Required to stand or work on concrete floors most of the workday. 
  • Will be exposed to a physical environment, which involves dirt, odors, noise, weather extremes or similar elements most of the workday. 
  • The normal setting for this job is material recycling facilities, repair/maintenance facilities, outdoors, or other facilities. 

Note: The level of physical effort may vary from site to site and, in some cases, may be greater or less than documented here. 

If this sounds like what you've been looking for, then click 'Apply now' to start your tomorrow, today. 


 

ABOUT WM

WM (WM.com) is North America's leading provider of comprehensive environmental solutions. Previously known as Waste Management and based in Houston, Texas, WM is driven by commitments to put people first and achieve success with integrity. The company, through its subsidiaries, provides collection, recycling and disposal services to millions of residential, commercial, industrial, medical and municipal customers throughout the U.S. and Canada. With innovative infrastructure and capabilities in recycling, organics and renewable energy, WM provides environmental solutions to and collaborates with its customers in helping them pursue their sustainability goals. WM has the largest disposal network and collection fleet in North America, is the largest recycler of postconsumer materials and is a leader in beneficial use of landfill gas, with a growing network of renewable natural gas plants and the most landfill gastoelectricity plants in North America. WM's fleet includes more than 12,000 natural gas trucks - the largest heavyduty natural gas truck fleet in the industry in North America. Healthcare Solutions provides collection and disposal services of regulated medical waste, as well as secure information destruction services, in the U.S., Canada and Western Europe. To learn more about WM and the company's sustainability progress and solutions, visit Sustainability.WM.com.

Equal Employment Opportunity

For United States:  WM is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, status as a protected veteran or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law.

For Canada:  WM is committed to the principle of equal employment for all applicants and employees, without discrimination on the basis of all grounds protected by applicable human rights legislation. Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process. Please notify us if you require accommodation.

Real ID

In order to travel by air or access federal property, federal law requires individuals have a REAL ID or an acceptable alternative. This position may require the successful candidate to travel by air for business reasons or service federal property. Accordingly, successful candidates must have, or be willing to obtain, a REAL ID or TSAapproved alternative.

Wrench with the best! Our technicians are trained to provide superior maintenance on diesel equipment. We care about our technician's safety and show it by demanding solid safety practices of all our technicians and managers. Pride, safety, training, growth, opportunity, great benefits, rewards - check us out, we may be the company for you!

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