Jobs Similar to Recycling and Reclamation Workers
The careers below use the most similar skills, knowledge and work activities to recycling and reclamation workers, according to O*NET 31.0. The closest are Tire Builders, Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders and Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Synthetic and Glass Fibers.
Recycling and Reclamation Workers: $40,240 (broader BLS group) · usual preparation: High school.
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
The 20 most similar careers
- 1Tire Builders
81% similar · $57,390 · High school
- 2Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders
80% similar · $43,220 · High school
- 3Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Synthetic and Glass Fibers
80% similar · $46,350 · High school
- 4Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic
80% similar · $46,170 · High school
- 5Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders
80% similar · $54,430 · High school
- 6Adhesive Bonding Machine Operators and Tenders
80% similar · $46,460 · High school
- 7Textile Bleaching and Dyeing Machine Operators and Tenders
80% similar · $38,180 · High school
- 8Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
79% similar · $43,960 · High school
- 9Rock Splitters, Quarry
79% similar · $48,740 · High school
- 10Textile Winding, Twisting, and Drawing Out Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
79% similar · $38,670 · High school
- 11Tire Repairers and Changers
79% similar · $37,710 · High school
- 12Tree Trimmers and Pruners
79% similar · $50,960 · High school
- 13Crushing, Grinding, and Polishing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
79% similar · $48,540 · High school
- 14Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators
79% similar · $70,070 · High school
- 15Machine Feeders and Offbearers
79% similar · $41,220 · High school · Same group
- 16Roof Bolters, Mining
78% similar · $78,540 · High school
- 17Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
78% similar · $50,270 · High school
- 18Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment
78% similar · $35,830 · High school · Same group
- 19Dredge Operators
78% similar · $49,640 · High school · Same group
- 20Pourers and Casters, Metal
78% similar · $51,810 · High school
Similarity: weighted correlation of O*NET 31.0 transferable skills (35%), knowledge (25%), work activities (15%) and interests (15%). Pay and schooling do not change it. Pay change compares BLS May 2025 national medians; careers with only a broader BLS group wage are not compared. “Same group”: the same BLS occupation group (SOC minor group). Methodology
Thinking of a career change?
Similar is not the same as a good next step. Our career-change list for recycling and reclamation workers also weighs pay drops and extra schooling, and puts jobs outside the field first.
Jobs that can lead here
Careers where recycling and reclamation workers is one of the best career-change matches (match score in brackets).
- Hazardous Materials Removal Workers (82)
- Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders (80)
- Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic (79)
- Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic (79)
- Textile Winding, Twisting, and Drawing Out Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders (79)
- Tire Repairers and Changers (79)
- Helpers--Production Workers (77)
- Shoe Machine Operators and Tenders (77)
- Aircraft Service Attendants (76)
- Cleaning, Washing, and Metal Pickling Equipment Operators and Tenders (76)
Questions about jobs like recycling and reclamation workers
What jobs are most similar to recycling and reclamation workers?
By O*NET 31.0 data, the closest are Tire Builders (81% similar), Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders (80% similar), Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Synthetic and Glass Fibers (80% similar), Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic (80% similar) and Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders (80% similar).
Do jobs like recycling and reclamation workers pay more?
None of the 20 most similar careers has a higher BLS median pay than recycling and reclamation workers where a direct comparison is possible.
How is the similarity percentage worked out?
We compare how important each transferable skill, knowledge area, work activity and interest area is in both jobs (O*NET 31.0 ratings) with a weighted correlation. 100% would mean the same profile. Unlike our career-change matches, pay and extra schooling do not lower the similarity on this page.