Prevailing Wage for Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors
Prevailing wages for Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors (SOC 53-7081) are set by the DOL using regional occupational surveys. Whether your offer is for a Garbage Man position, a Refuse Collector role, or a Front Load Trash Truck Driver title, DOL publishes four experience-based wage levels, and the floor varies significantly by city.
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Entry-level collectors with no prior experience in the occupation. Workers at this level perform routine collection tasks under direct supervision and are developing familiarity with route operations, equipment, and safety protocols. Most employers sponsoring new hires file at Level 1.
Collectors with one to three years of experience who work independently on assigned routes with minimal supervision. Level 2 is the most common filing level for Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors, reflecting experienced route drivers who have demonstrated reliable performance.
Experienced collectors who may take on lead responsibilities, train newer workers, or handle specialized equipment such as roll-off container trucks. Workers at this level bring several years of demonstrated competency and operate with a high degree of independence.
Fully competent collectors in senior or lead roles who may supervise crews, manage complex routes, or coordinate across multiple collection sites. Level 4 filings are less common and typically reflect workers with extensive tenure and expanded operational responsibilities.
Prevailing Wage for Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors by OES area
Each shape is a DOL OES area, the unit prevailing wage is published for.
What’s an OES area?
The Department of Labor publishes prevailing wages for geographic zones called OES areas. Every U.S. county belongs to exactly one, and the wage floor applies across the whole area. A worker in Oakland gets the San Francisco metro wage, not a separate Oakland wage.
Top 10 cities · Level 1
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See which U.S. employers are actively hiring for this role and sponsoring H-1B, OPT, and green card visas at or above the prevailing wage.
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Match your title to the right SOC code
Titles like Roll Off Truck Driver or Recycle Driver are sometimes filed under transportation SOC codes rather than SOC 53-7081. A misclassified LCA can set a different wage floor. Confirm your offer letter title maps to Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors before signing.
Expect wide wage gaps between coasts and rural areas
The prevailing wage for this occupation in California metro areas runs significantly higher than in Puerto Rico markets. If your worksite shifts from one city to another mid-sponsorship, the employer must file a new LCA reflecting the updated location's wage floor.
Watch for overtime structure in total compensation
Refuse and recyclable material collector positions often involve early starts and overtime hours. DOL's prevailing wage is calculated on a base hourly or annualized basis and does not count overtime pay toward meeting the floor. Confirm your base rate, not total pay, clears the requirement.
Use Migrate Mate to find employers with sponsorship history
Migrate Mate shows which employers have sponsored Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors before, including historical sponsorship counts by company. That narrows your search to municipal waste contractors and private haulers who have already navigated the LCA and visa process for this occupation.
Jobs for Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors are hiring across the US. Find yours.
Find Jobs for this rolePrevailing Wage by Reported Job Title
DOL classifies these titles under SOC 53-7081.00 alongside Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors, so the same four-tier wage schedule applies to each. Tap a title to see the full breakdown.
Front Load Trash Truck Driver Prevailing Wage
Front Load Trash Truck Driver Prevailing Wage
Front Load Trash Truck Driver positions fall under SOC 53-7081.00 (Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors). DOL OFLC publishes one four-tier prevailing wage schedule for the entire classification; employers filing H-1B, E-3, or PERM petitions for this title use the levels below.
Garbage Man Prevailing Wage
Garbage Man Prevailing Wage
When a U.S. employer sponsors a Garbage Man for a work visa or green card, DOL applies the prevailing wage schedule for SOC 53-7081.00 (Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors). Wage level reflects the role's experience and responsibility, not the title itself.
Recycle Driver Prevailing Wage
Recycle Driver Prevailing Wage
Recycle Driver is an O*NET-reported job title within SOC 53-7081.00 (Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors). All roles in this SOC share the same prevailing wage tiers. The level an employer files at depends on what the role requires, not which title is used.
Refuse Collector Prevailing Wage
Refuse Collector Prevailing Wage
Refuse Collector positions fall under SOC 53-7081.00 (Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors). DOL OFLC publishes one four-tier prevailing wage schedule for the entire classification; employers filing H-1B, E-3, or PERM petitions for this title use the levels below.
Roll Off Container Truck Driver Prevailing Wage
Roll Off Container Truck Driver Prevailing Wage
When a U.S. employer sponsors a Roll Off Container Truck Driver for a work visa or green card, DOL applies the prevailing wage schedule for SOC 53-7081.00 (Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors). Wage level reflects the role's experience and responsibility, not the title itself.
Roll Off Truck Driver Prevailing Wage
Roll Off Truck Driver Prevailing Wage
Roll Off Truck Driver is an O*NET-reported job title within SOC 53-7081.00 (Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors). All roles in this SOC share the same prevailing wage tiers. The level an employer files at depends on what the role requires, not which title is used.
Sanitation Laborer Prevailing Wage
Sanitation Laborer Prevailing Wage
Sanitation Laborer positions fall under SOC 53-7081.00 (Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors). DOL OFLC publishes one four-tier prevailing wage schedule for the entire classification; employers filing H-1B, E-3, or PERM petitions for this title use the levels below.
Swamper Prevailing Wage
Swamper Prevailing Wage
When a U.S. employer sponsors a Swamper for a work visa or green card, DOL applies the prevailing wage schedule for SOC 53-7081.00 (Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors). Wage level reflects the role's experience and responsibility, not the title itself.
Trash Collector Prevailing Wage
Trash Collector Prevailing Wage
Trash Collector is an O*NET-reported job title within SOC 53-7081.00 (Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors). All roles in this SOC share the same prevailing wage tiers. The level an employer files at depends on what the role requires, not which title is used.
Truck Driver Prevailing Wage
Truck Driver Prevailing Wage
Truck Driver positions fall under SOC 53-7081.00 (Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors). DOL OFLC publishes one four-tier prevailing wage schedule for the entire classification; employers filing H-1B, E-3, or PERM petitions for this title use the levels below.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does DOL set the prevailing wage for Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors?
DOL calculates prevailing wages for SOC 53-7081 using Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics data collected by the Bureau of Labor Statistics through employer surveys. For each metropolitan and nonmetropolitan area, DOL derives four wage levels based on the distribution of wages reported for workers in this occupation. Employers file a Labor Condition Application with OFLC and must offer at least the prevailing wage for the applicable level and worksite location.
What do the four wage levels mean and how do I know which one applies to my offer?
DOL defines four levels based on experience and supervision. Level 1 covers entry-level workers with no prior experience in the role. Level 2 applies to workers with some experience who operate independently. Level 3 reflects experienced workers who may lead or train others. Level 4 covers fully competent senior workers. The level your employer selects on the LCA should match your actual experience and the duties described in the job offer, not just your preferred salary.
Why does the prevailing wage for this occupation vary so much from city to city?
DOL calculates separate prevailing wages for each metropolitan and nonmetropolitan area using regional BLS occupational survey data. Local labor market conditions, cost of living, unionization rates among sanitation workers, and employer concentration all influence the reported wage distribution in each area. Critically, the LCA must list the actual worksite location, so the wage floor that applies is the one for the city where you will physically work, not the employer's headquarters.
What happens if my job offer is below the prevailing wage for a sponsored position?
An employer cannot certify a Labor Condition Application with OFLC if the offered wage is below the prevailing wage for the role and worksite. If the offer is below the floor, the LCA will not be approved, and the visa petition cannot proceed. For workers already in the U.S. on a sponsored status, an employer who pays below the certified wage may face DOL back-wage liability and debarment. USCIS also reviews wage compliance as part of petition adjudication.
How do I find and verify the prevailing wage for Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors in a specific U.S. city?
The DOL publishes prevailing wages for SOC 53-7081 through the OFLC Wage Search tool, which lets you look up wages by occupation and metropolitan area. Select the area where you will work, locate SOC 53-7081, and review all four wage levels. You can also use O*NET to confirm the occupation's standard title and code before cross-referencing OFLC data. Migrate Mate lists employers with a verified history of sponsoring this occupation, which can help you identify which companies are already familiar with the LCA wage requirements for your target city.
See which employers are hiring and sponsoring visas for Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors right now.
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