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Vehicle Recovery Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Recovery Agent

Oxnard, CA ยท On-site

$20/hr

Load, secure, and unload vehicles using proper equipment * Perform basic automotive tasks (e.g., jump-starts, tire changes) * Maintain accurate records of each recovery * Communicate with dispatch ...

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Vehicle Recovery information

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$11

$17

$25

How much do vehicle recovery jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 28, 2026, the average hourly pay for vehicle recovery in the United States is $17.90, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $15.38 and $19.23 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges faced by vehicle recovery professionals during roadside assistance calls?

Vehicle recovery professionals often encounter unpredictable situations, such as assisting stranded motorists in heavy traffic, poor weather, or hazardous locations. These challenges require quick problem-solving skills, a strong focus on safety protocols, and effective communication with both clients and team members. Additionally, vehicle recovery specialists must be prepared to handle a wide range of vehicle types and mechanical issues, which can vary greatly from one call to the next. Working irregular hours and responding to emergency situations are also typical aspects of the role.

What work can I do with a pick-up truck?

Vehicle recovery professionals use pick-up trucks to transport and recover disabled or damaged vehicles, often working in towing, roadside assistance, or salvage operations. Skills in vehicle handling, safety procedures, and proper equipment use are essential for this work.

What is the highest paid driving job?

Vehicle recovery drivers, especially those working for specialized towing companies or in hazardous environments, tend to earn higher wages due to the skill and risk involved. Experienced drivers with certifications and a good safety record can earn substantial pay, often supplemented by overtime or on-call pay. However, overall, commercial truck drivers and specialized transport roles generally have higher earning potential among driving jobs.

What does a vehicle recovery specialist do?

A vehicle recovery specialist is responsible for safely removing and transporting vehicles that have broken down, been involved in accidents, or are otherwise immobile. They operate tow trucks or recovery vehicles, assess the condition of vehicles on site, and ensure proper handling to prevent further damage. Their duties may also include helping stranded motorists, working with law enforcement, and completing necessary paperwork. This role requires strong driving skills, mechanical knowledge, and the ability to work in various weather and traffic conditions.

What is the highest paying job working with cars?

In the vehicle recovery industry, roles such as fleet managers, salvage yard owners, or specialized heavy-duty tow truck operators tend to have higher earning potential. These positions often require experience, certifications, and sometimes business ownership, leading to higher salaries compared to entry-level recovery jobs.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Vehicle Recovery Specialist, and why are they important?

A Vehicle Recovery Specialist needs a valid driver's license, knowledge of automotive mechanics, and often certification in roadside assistance or tow operations. Experience with tow trucks, winches, GPS systems, and safety equipment is typically required. Strong problem-solving, communication, and customer service skills help specialists navigate stressful situations and reassure clients. These abilities are crucial for ensuring safe, efficient recoveries and maintaining customer trust in challenging roadside conditions.

What is the difference between Vehicle Recovery vs Towing Operator?

AspectVehicle RecoveryTowing Operator
Credentials/CertificationsDriver's license, specialized recovery trainingDriver's license, towing certifications
Work EnvironmentOn-road, roadside, accident scenesRoadside, vehicle transport, storage yards
Employer & Industry UsageRecovery companies, roadside assistanceTowing companies, roadside services
Common Search/ComparisonVehicle RecoveryTowing Operator

Vehicle Recovery and Towing Operator roles often overlap but differ mainly in scope. Vehicle Recovery focuses on retrieving vehicles from accident sites, difficult terrains, or inaccessible areas, requiring specialized skills and equipment. Towing Operators primarily transport vehicles from one location to another, often in standard roadside situations. Both roles are essential in roadside assistance and share similar certifications, but Vehicle Recovery involves more complex scenarios and equipment.

What jobs pay $2000 a day?

In vehicle recovery, high-paying roles such as specialized heavy-duty tow truck operators or salvage managers can earn around $2000 per day, especially with extensive experience, certifications, and working in high-demand environments. These positions often require skills in vehicle handling, safety protocols, and sometimes working long or irregular hours.
More about Vehicle Recovery jobs
What cities are hiring for Vehicle Recovery jobs? Cities with the most Vehicle Recovery job openings:
What states have the most Vehicle Recovery jobs? States with the most job openings for Vehicle Recovery jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Vehicle Recovery jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Vehicle Recovery jobs are:
Infographic showing various Vehicle Recovery job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% As Needed, 67% Full Time, 27% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $37,235 per year, or $17.9 per hour.
Vehicle Recovery, Safety, & Logistics - West

Vehicle Recovery, Safety, & Logistics - West

Waymo

Los Angeles, CA โ€ข On-site

Other

This job post hasย expired today.ย Applications are no longer accepted.


Job description

Vehicle Recovery, Safety, and Logistics - West

Waymo is an autonomous driving technology company with the mission to be the world's most trusted driver. Since its start as the Google Self-Driving Car Project in 2009, Waymo has focused on building the Waymo Driverโ€”The World's Most Experienced Driverโ„ขโ€”to improve access to mobility while saving thousands of lives now lost to traffic crashes. The Waymo Driver powers Waymo's fully autonomous ride-hail service and can also be applied to a range of vehicle platforms and product use cases. The Waymo Driver has provided over ten million rider-only trips, enabled by its experience autonomously driving over 100 million miles on public roads and tens of billions in simulation across 15+ U.S. states.

Waymo Operations exists to deliver the Waymo Driver to the world. We are a global team building and scaling the world's first and leading autonomous fleet and operations platform. From component sourcing to end customer management, we enable and create value for Waymo through scaled and orchestrated deployment of the Waymo Driver. At Waymo, we are dedicated to building a culture that promotes collaboration and celebration. We value our team members' unique backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences and support and encourage all team members to share their ideas to help Waymo better serve the communities in which we operate.

In this hybrid role, you will report to the Head of Market Operations - East Region.

You will:

  • Strategic Recovery Operations: Drive the end-to-end development and implementation of a scalable operational framework for on-road vehicle recovery, ensuring seamless towing and roadside support services across multiple high-density markets.
  • Vendor Performance Management: Manage relationships with third-party recovery partners (3PL), holding them to rigorous service-level agreements (SLAs) regarding response times, safety certifications, and equipment readiness.
  • Incident Response & Safety: Act as the primary escalation point for complex recovery scenarios, ensuring all field maneuvers adhere to strict high-voltage (HV) safety standards and autonomous system protocols.
  • Drive Operational Throughput: Optimize "last-mile" logistics by partnering with Depot Operations to streamline the arrival and staging of disabled vehicles, minimizing downtime and maximizing technician throughput.
  • External Stakeholder Liaison: Lead coordination with local Law Enforcement, First Responders, and Municipal DOTs to standardize how autonomous vehicles are handled during roadside incidents.
  • Analyze & Innovate: Use data-driven insights to identify systemic trends and bottlenecks, providing executive-ready reporting that informs fleet-wide efficiency and safety improvements.

You have:

  • An Experienced Leader: You have 5+ years of experience leading large-scale commercial fleet operations, vehicle recovery, or high-stakes logistics.
  • Technical & Safety Oriented: You possess a deep understanding of EV platforms, including high-voltage shutdown procedures and the complexities of towing heavy-battery vehicles.
  • Vendor Management Excellence: Experience managing complex SLAs and driving third-party accountability through data-driven performance audits.
  • Multi-Market Coordination: Demonstrated ability to lead distributed teams across multiple geographies in a high-velocity, 24/7 environment.
  • Data-Driven: You thrive on analytical rigor, using operational metrics to reduce the cost-per-recovery and optimize response times.
  • Stakeholder & Regulatory Engagement: Demonstrated success collaborating with internal cross-functional teams, city officials, and regulatory bodies to align operational goals with municipal requirements and safety standards.

We prefer:

  • Executive & Stakeholder Communication: Strong verbal and written communication skills with a proven ability to engage and influence senior officials, municipal leaders, and strategic partners across multiple geographic markets.
  • Operational Financial Acumen: Experience managing OpEx budgets and performing cost-benefit analyses for fleet infrastructure, with a focus on optimizing "total cost per recovery" and long-term asset ROI.
  • AV Industry Experience: Direct experience with autonomous vehicle recovery, including the use of "ghosting" software, manual override tools, and calibration-safe transport.
  • First Responder Training: Background in fire science, emergency management, or specialized towing (e.g., WreckMaster certification).
  • Process Engineering: Experience implementing Lean or Six Sigma principles to reduce "roadside dwell time" and operational drag.
  • Regulatory Experience: Familiarity with state-level DMV and DOT regulations regarding autonomous vehicle testing and commercial towing.

Travel requirement:

  • 45% of the time

The expected base salary range for this full-time position across US locations is listed below. Actual starting pay will be based on job-related factors, including exact work location, experience, relevant training and education, and skill level. Your recruiter can share more about the specific salary range for the role location or, if the role can be performed remote, the specific salary range for your preferred location, during the hiring process.

Waymo employees are also eligible to participate in Waymo's discretionary annual bonus program, equity incentive plan, and generous Company benefits program, subject to eligibility requirements.

Salary Range $159,000โ€”$196,000 USD