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Waste Operative Jobs (NOW HIRING)

City of Fort Myers

Solid Waste Operator I

Fort Myers, FL

$23.41 - $35.40/hr

Duties/Responsibilities Operates solid waste vehicle(s) and the collection of trash/recycling along an assigned route. Transports and disposes trash and recycling materials at authorized designated ...

CITY OF HURON

Solid Waste Operator I

Watertown, SD

$16.75 - $22/hr

Solid Waste Operator I- City of Huron Join our team performing a variety of hands-on, skilled and semi-skilled duties supporting the collection and disposal of solid waste, with opportunities to ...

Reworld

Ash & Liquid Waste Operator

Niagara Falls, NY · On-site

$16.75 - $22/hr

About the role The Ash & Liquid Operator is responsible for operating, inspecting, cleaning, and maintaining ash handling and liquid waste systems to ensure safe, compliant, and efficient facility ...

Reworld

Ash & Liquid Waste Operator

Niagara Falls, NY

$16.75 - $22/hr

About the role The Ash & Liquid Operator is responsible for operating, inspecting, cleaning, and maintaining ash handling and liquid waste systems to ensure safe, compliant, and efficient facility ...

City of Atlanta

Solid Waste Operator I

Atlanta, GA · On-site

$40K - $51K/yr

Retrieves scale reports from landfill/transfer station operators to record and maintain daily records identifying the amount of waste that was transported and dumped. * Reviews and signs documents ...

City of Atlanta, GA

Solid Waste Operator I

Atlanta, GA · On-site

$40K - $51K/yr

Retrieves scale reports from landfill/transfer station operators to record and maintain daily records identifying the amount of waste that was transported and dumped. * Reviews and signs documents ...

City of Atlanta, GA

Solid Waste Operator I

Atlanta, GA · On-site

Retrieves scale reports from landfill/transfer station operators to record and maintain daily records identifying the amount of waste that was transported and dumped. * Reviews and signs documents ...

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Waste Operative information

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$25

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How much do waste operative jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 5, 2026, the average hourly pay for waste operative in the United States is $25.59, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $20.19 and $29.33 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Waste Operative vs Recycling Operative?

AspectWaste OperativeRecycling Operative
CredentialsBasic health & safety training, PPEBasic health & safety training, PPE
Work EnvironmentWaste collection sites, landfillsRecycling centers, sorting facilities
Industry UsageWaste management, disposalRecycling, materials recovery
Job TasksCollecting, loading wasteSorting, processing recyclables

Waste Operatives focus on waste collection and disposal, often working at landfills or collection points. Recycling Operatives specialize in sorting and processing recyclable materials at recycling centers. Both roles require similar safety training but differ mainly in their work environment and specific tasks.

What cities are hiring for Waste Operative jobs? Cities with the most Waste Operative job openings:
What states have the most Waste Operative jobs? States with the most job openings for Waste Operative jobs include:
Waste Operative jobs near you
Infographic showing various Waste Operative job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 6% As Needed, 75% Full Time, and 19% Part Time. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $53,224 per year, or $25.6 per hour.
Solid Waste Collection Worker

Solid Waste Collection Worker

City of Gainesville, GA

Gainesville, GA • On-site

$35K - $45K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 19 days ago

Job description

Salary : $35,692.80 - $45,510.40 Annually
Location : 263 Alta Vista Road, Gainesville, GA
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: 00987
Department: Public Works
Division: Solid Waste
Opening Date: 09/19/2025
Closing Date: Continuous
Summary
Work as part of a team collecting City of Gainesville's resident's solid waste, recycling and curbside trash daily on specific routes. The Residential Helper rides on the vehicle and assists a Driver in providing prompt, courteous and complete waste removal services for customers who reside on a specific route. This position requires walking and removing bags of trash from residents and emptying trash and recycling bins into the back of a rear loading packer truck and other solid waste collection vehicles.
Job Duties
Collecting of residential trash, recycling and curbside debris from City residents by removing from cans and carrying it to collection vehicles
Ride on the vehicle to assist the Driver while servicing customers on a designated route.
Operate packing mechanism and various levers and handles to activate the lifting and loading mechanism.
Clean waste from the packer blade and truck body on each disposal trip; spray and clean the hopper and truck, if applicable.
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.
Continuously monitor waste for evidence of unacceptable waste.
Clean area around an accidental waste spill, ensuring adherence to all applicable safety standards and policies.
Maintain adherence to required productivity standards for the department to ensure all customers are serviced in a timely and efficient manner.
Follow all required safety policies and procedures.
Perform other job-related duties as assigned.
May operate a pickup truck collecting residential garbage and recycling on specific routes.
Is subject to recall for emergency situations.
May be required to work overtime for non-emergency situations.
Position requires work in various weather conditions.
Minimum Qualifications
Education and Experience:
High School Diploma or G.E.D.
Licenses and Certifications:
Prefer a valid Georgia Driver's License with a satisfactory Motor Vehicle Record (MVR)
Due to the safety-sensitive nature of this position, incumbents will be subject to random drug testing.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Knowledge of geography of the City including major streets and landmarks.
Knowledge of preventive maintenance procedures.
Knowledge of traffic rules and regulations and safe operation of vehicles.
Ability to work with a crew to get garbage collection routes completed daily in a timely fashion.
Ability to work well with others and to deal with citizens in a friendly, respectful and professional manner.
Ability to take and follow directions from supervisor.
Ability to perform strenuous and routine work.
Ability to walk up and down driveways carrying bags of garbage.
Ability to lift objects of up to 50 pounds.
Ability to understand and follow instructions both orally and in writing.
Ability to communicate clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing.
Supplemental Information
Supplemental Information
The incumbent can qualify for promotion to a Solid Waste Operator if the following conditions are met:
  • Successfully obtaining a valid Georgia Driver's License.
  • Have the ability to meet Solid Waste Operator job specifications.
  • Have the ability to be assigned to a vehicle service route on a daily basis.
  • Superintendent's recommendation.
This position is classified as safety-sensitive. Incumbent will be subject to random drug/alcohol testing.
This class specification should not be interpreted as all inclusive. It is intended to identify the major responsibilities and requirements of this job. The incumbents may be required to perform job-related responsibilities and tasks other than those stated in this specification.
The City of Gainesville is an equal opportunity employer. The City of Gainesville prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type and affords equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. The City of Gainesville conforms to the spirit as well as to the letter of all applicable laws and regulations.
Overview
Part of the City of Gainesville's success is due to the efforts and loyalty of City employees. Gainesville offers a comprehensive benefits package to its employees and retirees. In assessing our comprehensive programs, the City has taken great care to seek a fair balance between business needs and employment security. There are many options available which afford City staff with coverage to best suit individual and family needs. In many cases, deductions are available on a pre-tax basis.
City Benefits Paid at 100%
  • Employee Assistance Program
  • Employee Clinic & Wellness Center
  • GMEBS Retirement Plan (select positions)
  • Life Insurance (up to $75,000)
  • Paid Holidays (10)
  • Paid Jury Duty Leave
  • Paid Military Leave
  • Paid Time Off (PTO)
  • Protective Safety Equipment
  • Short-Term Disability Insurance (After 12 months of employment)
  • Tuition Reimbursement (After one year of employment)
  • Uniforms (select positions)
  • Workers' Compensation
Supplemental Benefits
  • Accident
  • Critical Illness
  • Death and Dismemberment
  • Deferred Compensation
  • Dental
  • Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
  • Health Savings Account (HSA)
  • Long-Term Disability
  • Medical
  • Plan A Retirement (50% City paid - select positions)
  • Vision
  • Voluntary Life Insurance
Other Benefits
  • Biweekly Paycheck
  • Credit Union
  • Direct Deposit
  • Discount PC Purchase Plan
  • Employee Recognition Events
  • Employee Wellness Opportunities
  • Free Flu Shot
  • Free Parking
  • Health and Benefits Fair

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