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Side Loader Driver Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Alabev is seeking to hire a Driver for local DSD delivery ... Bulk and side loader position available. Hiring Bonus: * $250 for working 90 days. * An additional ...

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Side Loader Driver information

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$11

$19

$28

How much do side loader driver jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 23, 2026, the average hourly pay for side loader driver in the United States is $19.80, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $17.07 and $22.36 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Side Loader Driver, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Side Loader Driver, you need a valid commercial driver's license (CDL), strong spatial awareness, and experience operating side loader vehicles. Familiarity with vehicle maintenance, route navigation systems, and sometimes hydraulic controls is typically required. Reliability, attention to detail, and good communication skills help ensure safety and efficiency when collecting and transporting waste or materials. These skills and qualities are crucial for minimizing accidents, meeting service schedules, and maintaining high standards of safety and customer satisfaction.

What are some common challenges Side Loader Drivers face during their daily routes, and how can they manage them effectively?

Side Loader Drivers often encounter challenges such as navigating narrow streets, dealing with parked vehicles blocking access to bins, and adhering to strict collection schedules. Effective communication with dispatch and local residents, as well as staying up-to-date with route changes, can help overcome these obstacles. Additionally, maintaining the vehicle and practicing safe loading techniques are crucial to ensuring efficiency and safety throughout the day.

What are Side Loader Drivers?

Side Loader Drivers are professional drivers who operate specialized trucks designed to load and unload materials from the side, rather than the rear or front. These vehicles are commonly used in industries like waste management, logistics, and construction for efficient handling of containers, pallets, or waste bins. Side Loader Drivers are responsible for safely maneuvering these vehicles in urban and industrial environments, following safety regulations, and ensuring timely deliveries or collections. They often need specific driving licenses and training to operate side loader vehicles.

What is the difference between Side Loader Driver vs Forklift Operator?

AspectSide Loader DriverForklift Operator
CredentialsDriver's license, CDL (if required)Forklift certification/license
Work EnvironmentLoading/unloading trucks, warehouse, outdoorWarehouse, manufacturing plants, indoor/outdoor
Industry UsageLogistics, distribution, retailManufacturing, warehousing, construction
Job FocusTransporting goods with side loader trucksOperating forklifts for material handling

While both roles involve material handling, a Side Loader Driver primarily operates trucks equipped with side loaders for transporting goods, often in outdoor or loading dock environments. A Forklift Operator focuses on operating forklifts within warehouses or manufacturing sites to move pallets and heavy items. Both require specific certifications and are essential in logistics and warehousing industries, but their work environments and equipment differ.

More about Side Loader Driver jobs
What cities are hiring for Side Loader Driver jobs? Cities with the most Side Loader Driver job openings:
What states have the most Side Loader Driver jobs? States with the most job openings for Side Loader Driver jobs include:
Infographic showing various Side Loader Driver job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $41,188 per year, or $19.8 per hour.
Automated Side Loader Residential Driver

Automated Side Loader Residential Driver

Meridian Waste

Greensboro, NC • On-site

$18.50 - $25/hr

Full-time

Posted 16 days ago


Meridian Waste rating

5.1

Company rating: 5.1 out of 10

Based on 12 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

64th of 71 rated recycling and waste


Job description

Summary: The Residential Driver is responsible for safely operating a collection truck, and providing prompt, courteous and complete waste removal services for customers. In addition, the Residential Driver is responsible for ensuring his or her vehicle is in compliance with the Company’s safety standards prior to operating the vehicle, ensures that all Company, state and federal regulations are adhered to at all times while operating the vehicle, and completes vehicle condition reports on a daily basis to ensure that any vehicle defects are repaired in a timely manner.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

  • Perform complete pre-and post-operation inspection of the vehicle in accordance with Company policy to ensure tire pressure, fluid levels, safety equipment, gauges, and controls are in proper working order. Report any safety issues on standard reports.
  • Safely operate truck along designated route and to the disposal site; read route sheet, follow map and service each customer as identified on the route sheet or as assigned by the dispatcher and/or supervisor.
  • Operate manual and/or automatic controls in accordance with Company safety policies and procedures to lift and load refuse, operate compactor and dispose of collected material at the designated facility.
  • Courteously interact with all customers, dispatchers and others on a daily basis to ensure all customer routes are serviced in a timely and professional manner.
  • Identify unsatisfactory waste containers and tag containers in accordance with applicable departmental procedures.
  • Continuously monitor waste for evidence of unacceptable waste.
    Clean area around an accidental waste spill, ensuring adherence to all applicable safety standards and policies.
  • Continuously monitor the condition of the vehicle to ensure it is operationally ready at all times to minimize down time; clean waste from the packer blade and truck body (where appropriate) on each disposal trip.
  • Complete required route/productivity sheets, Vehicle Condition Reports and other reports, as required.
  • Maintain adherence to required productivity standards for the department to ensure all customers are serviced in a timely and efficient manner.
  • Good customer services skills to meet and exceed customer expectations; acts in a professional, courteous and cooperative manner toward customers and co-workers; works with a sense of honesty and trustworthiness.
  • Good time management skills to ensure assigned responsibilities are completed in an efficient and safe manner.
  • Good follow through ability; adheres to work schedule and follows through on challenges as they arise.
  • Ability to adhere to Company policies and rules set forth; promotes the Company’s safety standards; does not take inappropriate risks.
  • Maintains a feeling of pride in work; strives to achieve all goals.
  • Follow and comply with all safety policies.
  • Additional duties as assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS

To perform the job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education/ and or Experience:

  • Class B or higher Commercial Driver’s license with air brakes endorsement.
  • Two years of prior experience driving heavy commercial trucks.
  • Excellent reading and writing skills

Specialized Knowledge Required Including any required certificates, licenses, and registrations

  • Excellent Customer Service skills.
  • Must be able to multi-task and have an attention to detail.
  • Must have the ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment.
  • Great attention to detail.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

  • Light lifting (50-100 pounds), Shop Environment
 WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

  • Warehouse/ Shop Environment

In addition to the above, the performance of other related duties may be required.

I have read and understand the contents of the above job description.


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