Waste Industry Salaries: What Every Hauling Job Pays
Current federal wage data for the roles that run a hauling company — from the back of the truck to the front office. Plus what each hire actually costs you.
Pay by role (2025)
National median and average annual pay, from the BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics survey (May 2025). Garbage truck driver is highlighted.
| Role | Median / yr | Average / yr |
|---|---|---|
| Operations managerRuns routes, dispatch, and the yard. The top of a hauling org chart. | $107,230 | $121,600 |
| Route supervisorForeman over drivers and helpers; the first promotion off the truck. | $62,890 | $66,860 |
| Diesel mechanicKeeps the fleet running. Hard to hire and worth paying for. | $61,770 | $64,320 |
| Class A driver (roll-off / transfer)Roll-off, transfer-trailer, long-haul. Needs a Class A CDL — pays more. | $58,640 | $59,710 |
| DispatcherBuilds and adjusts routes, handles the 2-way and the customer calls. | $50,340 | $54,740 |
| Garbage truck driverResidential/commercial collection (Class B). The core hauling role. | $49,690 | $52,820 |
| Light truck driverSmaller trucks, often no CDL — junk removal, small-container routes. | $44,860 | $48,770 |
| Helper / laborerBack-of-truck helper, sort-line, yard work. The entry point. | $40,240 | $42,260 |
What a hire really costs
Wages are only part of it. Federal data (BLS ECEC, Dec 2025) puts benefits and payroll taxes at about 29.9% of total compensation — roughly 43% on top of the wage. For haulers the workers’ comp piece runs especially high (trash collection is a high-injury job class), so a $50,000 driver typically costs $65,000–$72,000 all in.
Go deeper
- Garbage truck driver salary guide — full pay range, what raises it, and salary by state.
- True cost of a hire calculator — what a driver costs you loaded.
Hiring or job-hunting in waste?
About Trash is the free job board for the waste industry — drivers, mechanics, and hauling pros.
Common questions
What is the highest-paying job in the waste industry?+
Among hands-on roles, transportation/operations managers earn the most (median ~$107,000), followed by route supervisors and diesel mechanics (low $60,000s). Among drivers, Class A (roll-off and transfer) pays more than residential collection.
How much do garbage truck drivers make vs other roles?+
Refuse collectors (garbage truck drivers) have a median around $49,690 — above light-truck drivers and laborers, and just below dispatchers. Moving up to a Class A driving role, supervisor, or mechanic is the clearest path to higher pay.
What does it cost a company to employ a driver?+
More than the wage. Payroll taxes, workers’ comp (high for trash trucks), and benefits add roughly 25–43% on top — so a $50,000 driver costs about $65,000–$72,000. Use the true-cost-of-a-hire calculator to run your own numbers.
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, national figures. Employer cost benchmark: BLS Employer Costs for Employee Compensation (ECEC), December 2025. Your local pay and costs vary.