Recycling and Reclamation Workers
Prepare and sort materials or products for recycling. Identify and remove hazardous substances. Dismantle components of products such as appliances.
Also called: Auto Dismantler, Bobcat Driver, Box Sorter, Computer Recycling Worker, Convenience Recycle Center Technician (Convenience Recycle Center Tech), Deconstruction and Decontamination Waste Operations Specialist (D and D Waste Operations Specialist)
Median pay
$40,240
Pay for the broader BLS group “Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand”
Pay range (10th–90th)
$31,270 – $55,140
People employed
2,950,280
Whole BLS group
Holland code
RCI
Realistic · Conventional · Investigative
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
Is this career right for you?
These are the things that stand out in this job compared with other U.S. jobs (O*NET 31.0 work context). Answer honestly.
- 1.Are you OK working outdoors in all kinds of weather?
- 2.Are you comfortable following clear instructions?
- 3.Would you rather not deal with customers or the public?
- 4.Are you OK being on your feet and moving most of the day?
- 5.Are you OK working more than 40 hours a week?
- 6.Do you want variety, with new tasks often?
- 7.Do you prefer a steady pace without constant deadlines?
The hard parts
- Long hours on your feet
- Work outdoors in all weather
- Tight deadlines are common
Recycling and Reclamation Workers pay by state
Highest-paying states
Annual median pay by state (50 states and DC with published data). Source: BLS OEWS May 2025, for the broader group “Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand”.
What recycling and reclamation workers do
- 01Collect and sort recyclable construction materials, such as concrete, drywall, plastics, or wood, into containers.
- 02Sort materials, such as metals, glass, wood, paper or plastics, into appropriate containers for recycling.
- 03Extract chemicals from discarded appliances, such as air conditioners or refrigerators, using specialized machinery, such as refrigerant recovery equipment.
- 04Deposit recoverable materials into chutes or place materials on conveyor belts.
- 05Clean recycling yard by sweeping, raking, picking up broken glass and loose paper debris, or moving barrels and bins.
- 06Operate balers to compress recyclable materials into bundles or bales.
Skills that matter most
- Monitoring
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Critical Thinking
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Learning
Knowledge
- Production and Processing
- Mechanical
- Administration and Management
- Public Safety and Security
- Education and Training
Education and first steps
Share of workers by required education, as reported to O*NET.
How people get started
- Usually needs a high school diploma (O*NET Job Zone 2).
- Related work experience: over 6 months, up to and including 1 year.
- On-the-job training: anything beyond short demonstration, up to and including 1 month.
Most common answers from O*NET 31.0 Education, Training and Experience.
Interest fit (Holland code)
O*NET occupational interest scores, scale 1–7. Take the Free Career Test to compare with your own.
Career changes
Change from recycling and reclamation workers
- Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders90% · —
- Hazardous Materials Removal Workers88% · —
- Helpers--Production Workers84% · —
- Helpers--Extraction Workers84% · —
- Tire Builders81% · —
Change into recycling and reclamation workers
Jobs whose skills carry over best (skill match, their median pay).
- Hazardous Materials Removal Workers82% · $49,450
- Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders80% · $43,220
- Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic79% · $46,170
- Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic79% · $43,960
- Textile Winding, Twisting, and Drawing Out Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders79% · $38,670