According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics (BLS), the number of heavy and tractor-trailer drivers working in the Waste Management and Remediation Services in 2020 was 70,350. The waste industry offers many employment opportunities. And being a driver is one of them.
The biggest benefit of working as a garbage truck or roll-off driver in the South Shore area is consistency. Unlike oil truck drivers whose schedules depend a lot on weather, drivers in the trash industry operate every day. There is always trash to pick up regardless of the weather. Trash industry drivers help the earth by preserving the environment and protecting society’s health. Their labor in most facets of waste management is always in demand as well, providing them a steady source of income.
Trash industry drivers like the ones from Troupe Waste and Recycling play an important role in the community. Some of the benefits of being a driver in the Trash industry are listed below.
Employment opportunity is on the rise
According to Waste360.com, the waste industry will have 49,300 new jobs for collection drivers by 2022. On the same note, the National Waste & Recycling Association (NWRA) and suppliers to the waste industry extend career opportunities to those who are interested.
However, you need to be qualified for the job just like most positions. Roll off truck drivers need a commercial driver’s license (CDL) and a high school diploma, but whether you need a CDL A or CDL B will depend on the job. Most companies prefer drivers with some experience, but some hire new drivers. You will also need a clean driving record. The demand for roll off trucking is expected to grow 5% between now and 2028 so there is good job security.
If you do not possess garbage truck driver qualifications yet, you may attend driver recruitment and retention seminars. The NWRA also formed a recruitment committee to hire more drivers- even offering job opportunities to the veteran community.
Work is consistent regardless of the weather
Trash industry drivers aid with the collection and transportation of garbage. And since there is always garbage to pick up, there is always work. Be it during rainy, windy, sunny, snowy, or cloudy weather, waste drivers are constantly on the move. They drive around neighborhoods in heavy trucks or tractor-trailer trucks.
There is money in the waste management industry
Most drivers are paid by the hour and overtime can add big bonuses to your paycheck. Some trash industry drivers can earn up to $70,000 annually. Yes, it is possible! A lot of waste drivers report pocketing the amount through experience, hard work and overtime.
Heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers’ median pay in 2020 is $47,130 annually and $22.66 per hour (BLS). But be reminded that wages vary by geographic area. They depend on duties as well. New York is one of the top-paying States, and South Carolina is among the lower-paying regions. The average roll off driver in Massachusetts makes $22.42/hr.
Waste industry drivers usually enjoy benefits such as health insurance, paid vacations, and sick leave and some employers offer retirement plans too.
The trash industry is making a huge environmental impact
Although working in this field is not appealing to some, the garbage industry drivers positively impact many lives daily. Can you imagine a society without them? Without waste transporters, the environment suffers. Among various things, trash will pollute ecosystems and kill species. Garbage will harm humans too, affecting them with infectious and chronic and diseases. It is also important to be a safe, patient driver for the safety of everyone on the road and on the site the roll off is being delivered.
If you are considering a career as a driver in the waste management industry, then please call us at Troupe Waste and Recycling to discuss your options! You can also upload your resume and application on our site. We are hiring now.
