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Route Helper Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Train, coach and advise the Route Helper in the performance of their duties. Attend all annual sales meetings and other required training. Willingness and ability to work schedules up to and ...

New

Route Manager

Milpitas, CA · On-site

$29 - $31/hr

In this key leadership role, you'll help drive service excellence, develop frontline talent, and support business growth across your assigned district. What You'll Do As a Route Manager, you'll play ...

Route Manager

Milpitas, CA · On-site

$65 - $90/hr

In this key leadership role, you'll help drive service excellence, develop frontline talent, and support business growth across your assigned district. What You'll Do As a Route Manager, you'll play ...

Route Supervisor

Barstow, CA · On-site

$70K - $98K/yr

Route Supervisor Coordinates and directs the activities of drivers, floaters, and lead men ... Train new drivers/helpers on company Driver Training program, DOT drug and alcohol program and ...

CDL Driver

Livermore, CA · On-site

$27.75/hr

Help make a difference! Lakin Tire a Liberty Tire Company is North America's largest tire recycler. Lakin Tire is now hiring a Full-Time CDL Class A driver to run daily collection routes. We collect ...

Route Driver

San Leandro, CA · On-site

$22 - $24/hr

Take pride in helping businesses stay fueled and focused Bring your drive, reliability, and commitment to excellence-- and let's brew success together! What you'll be doing - The Role As a Route ...

Route Driver

Petaluma, CA · On-site

$22 - $24/hr

Take pride in helping businesses stay fueled and focused Bring your drive, reliability, and commitment to excellence-- and let's brew success together! What you'll be doing - The Role As a Route ...

Route Driver

Hayward, CA · On-site

$19 - $23/hr

Take pride in helping businesses stay fueled and focused Bring your drive, reliability, and commitment to excellence-- and let's brew success together! What you'll be doing - The Role As a Route ...

Route Driver

Inglewood, CA · On-site

$20 - $23/hr

Take pride in helping businesses stay fueled and focused Bring your drive, reliability, and commitment to excellence-- and let's brew success together! What you'll be doing - The Role As a Route ...

Route Driver

Northridge, CA · On-site

$19 - $23/hr

Take pride in helping businesses stay fueled and focused Bring your drive, reliability, and commitment to excellence-- and let's brew success together! What you'll be doing - The Role As a Route ...

Route Driver

Santa Clara, CA · On-site

$22 - $25/hr

Take pride in helping businesses stay fueled and focused Bring your drive, reliability, and commitment to excellence-- and let's brew success together! What you'll be doing - The Role As a Route ...

ROUTE DRIVER - MICROMARKET

Cerritos, CA · On-site

$19.25 - $25/hr

Text STOP to opt out or HELP for help. Terms and conditions: About Canteen: Canteen brings break ... The Route Driver drives a company vehicle over an established route to deliver products or render ...

Text STOP to opt out or HELP for help. Terms and conditions: About Canteen: Canteen brings break ... The Route Driver drives a company vehicle over an established route to deliver products or render ...

Text STOP to opt out or HELP for help. Terms and conditions: About Canteen: Canteen brings break ... The Route Driver drives a company vehicle over an established route to deliver products or render ...

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Showing results 1-20

Route Helper information

See California salary details

$8

$17

$22

How much do route helper jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 5, 2026, the average hourly pay for route helper in California is $17.53, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $15.72 and $19.18 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a route helper?

Route Helpers are workers who assist drivers, typically in industries such as delivery, waste management, or transportation services. Their main responsibilities include loading and unloading goods, helping the driver navigate routes, ensuring timely deliveries or pickups, and sometimes interacting with customers. They also help with maintaining the cleanliness and organization of the vehicle, and may perform safety checks. Route Helpers are essential for ensuring that daily operations run smoothly and efficiently.

What are the typical daily responsibilities of a route helper?

As a Route Helper, your daily responsibilities typically include assisting the driver with loading and unloading goods, ensuring that deliveries are accurately completed, and helping to navigate or manage paperwork as needed. You may also be responsible for maintaining cleanliness and organization within the delivery vehicle, communicating with customers during drop-offs, and supporting the driver with any unexpected challenges on the route. Your role is essential in streamlining deliveries, improving turnaround times, and enhancing customer satisfaction by ensuring that products arrive safely and efficiently.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a route helper?

To thrive as a Route Helper, you need physical stamina, reliability, and basic literacy skills, often with a high school diploma or equivalent. Familiarity with handheld route tracking devices or scanners and safe lifting techniques is typically required. Strong teamwork, punctuality, and communication skills help you coordinate effectively with drivers and customers. These abilities ensure timely deliveries, safety, and efficient route operations in a demanding work environment.

What is the difference between Route Helper vs Delivery Driver?

AspectRoute HelperDelivery Driver
CredentialsHigh school diploma or equivalent, valid driver's licenseHigh school diploma or equivalent, valid driver's license, possibly commercial license
Work EnvironmentAssisting with loading/unloading, following routes, working in warehouses or on delivery routesDriving company vehicles, delivering goods directly to customers, working outdoors and in various weather conditions
Employer & Industry UsageLogistics, courier, retail distributionCourier services, food delivery, retail, logistics
Comparison Search IntentUnderstanding entry-level roles assisting delivery operationsUnderstanding roles involving direct customer delivery and driving

The main difference between a Route Helper and a Delivery Driver is that the Route Helper primarily assists with loading, unloading, and supporting delivery routes, while the Delivery Driver is responsible for driving the vehicle and delivering goods directly to customers. Both roles require similar credentials, but the Delivery Driver involves more driving responsibilities and customer interaction.

What are the most commonly searched types of Route jobs in California?

The most popular types of Route jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Route Helper jobs?

Cities in California with the most Route Helper job openings:

Infographic showing various Route Helper job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 78% Full Time, 16% Part Time, 4% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $36,455 per year, or $17.5 per hour.

Local RearLoad Garbage Truck Driver/Route Helper.- Colfax,WA

Waste Connections Inc

Empire, CA • On-site

$29/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement

Posted 15 days ago


Key responsibilities

  • Service residential and commercial rearload routes by manually collecting waste and operating rearload hydraulic equipment.

  • Perform routine vehicle inspections and ensure safety compliance during daily operations.

  • Communicate professionally with customers and dispatch while maintaining safety and environmental standards.


Waste Connections rating

7.4

Company rating: 7.4 out of 10

Based on 265 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

29th of 92 rated recycling and waste


Job description

Empire Disposal, a Waste Connections Company in Colfax, WAIs looking to Hire a Local CDL RearLoad Garbage Truck Driver/Route Helper.

Schedule: Monday-Thursday, 4:00 AM-2:00 PM (Occasional OT)

Pay: $29.00/hr CDL $26.90/hr NonCDL Average Hours: ~45 per week

Position Overview

Empire Disposal is seeking a safetyfocused Local CDL Garbage Truck Driver to service residential and commercial rearload routes. This is a laborintensive role requiring continuous movement in and out of the truck, manual collection of solid waste, and safe operation of rearload equipment. Drivers transport collected waste to designated disposal facilities while maintaining strict safety, environmental, and customerservice standards.

Key Responsibilities

  • Route Navigation - Read route sheets or driver tablets to service all assigned customers.
  • Vehicle Inspections - Perform routine pretrip and posttrip inspections, checking fluids, tires, and safety equipment.
  • Manual Waste Collection - Load and unload waste manually, often without helpers, requiring heavy lifting and repetitive movement.
  • Hydraulic Equipment Operation - Operate rearload hydraulic controls to lift, load, and dispose of refuse safely.
  • Customer Interaction - Provide courteous service and communicate professionally with customers and dispatch.
  • Safety Compliance - Follow all company, DOT, and environmental safety protocols.
  • Perform additional jobrelated duties as assigned by management.

Working Conditions & Physical Demands

  • Heavy physical labor including lifting, pushing, and pulling 50+ lbs.
  • Frequent entry and exit from the truck throughout the shift.
  • Exposure to outdoor weather, wet/humid conditions, fumes, vibration, and moderate noise.
  • Work around moving mechanical parts, requiring strict adherence to safety procedures.

Minimum Requirements

  • Valid Class A or B CDL with Air Brake Endorsement. Or the Ability to Obtain a CDL with Paid training.
  • Ability to read, write, and communicate in English, high school diploma or equivalent preferred.
  • Basic knowledge of truck components to complete DOTcompliant inspections.
  • Ability to perform physically demanding labor daily.

Why Join Empire Disposal?

  • Medical, Dental, Vision benefits
  • Highly competitive wages
  • 401(k) company plan
  • $400 annual boot allowance
  • Up to $2,000 annual safety bonus
  • Strong company culture built on integrity, teamwork, and empowerment
  • Local routes - home daily
  • Career growth within a GROWING Waste Connections company

To be considered for any of our current openings you must complete an application at www.wasteconnections.com . Application information and additional instructions can be found once you select your position of interest.

We offer excellent benefits including: medical, dental, vision, flexible spending account, long term & short term disability, life insurance, 401K retirement and unlimited opportunities to "Connect with Your Future". A link to our benefits overview can be found here: https://careers.wasteconnections.com/us/en/benefits

Waste Connections is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to disability or protected veteran status. WA state wage Range $29.00/HR-29.00/HR

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