How Much Do Garbage Truck Drivers Make in 2025? [By State]
In 2025, the demand for sanitation workers, including garbage truck drivers, is at an all-time high. Population growth, urban expansion, and increased consumption have all contributed to rising volumes of waste. According to industry projections, U.S. cities generate more than 300 million tons of municipal solid waste per year, a figure that continues to climb annually.
National Average Salary for Garbage Truck Drivers in 2025
The current U.S. average salary
As of 2025, the national average salary for a garbage truck driver in the United States is approximately $40,460 per year. This translates to:
- Around $3,371 per month
- Approximately $778 per week
- Roughly $19.45 per hour
This places garbage truck drivers firmly in the mid-range of blue-collar earnings. While not among the highest-paying professions, the job provides stable employment, essential work recognition, and in many cases, strong union-negotiated benefits.
How garbage truck drivers compare to other blue-collar jobs
To put these earnings into perspective, it helps to compare garbage truck drivers with other common blue-collar roles:
- Bus drivers: On average, bus drivers earn between $37,000 and $45,000 annually, which is similar to garbage truck drivers, though often with fewer overtime opportunities.
- Delivery drivers (non-CDL): Average annual pay hovers around $35,000–$40,000, though drivers for specialized freight or high-demand services can earn more.
- Warehouse workers: Median pay typically ranges between $30,000 and $36,000 annually, lower than most sanitation drivers.
From this comparison, it’s clear that garbage truck driving remains a competitive blue-collar job, particularly for those seeking union-backed benefits and reliable overtime.
Overtime and union-negotiated pay scales
One of the main reasons garbage truck driving is attractive is the availability of overtime. Routes often run longer than scheduled, especially in large cities where waste volumes are high. Overtime hours can significantly increase a driver’s annual earnings, sometimes pushing total pay above $50,000–$60,000 per year.
Unions also play a crucial role in securing higher wages. In states or cities where sanitation unions are strong, garbage truck drivers often enjoy collective bargaining agreements that guarantee raises, pensions, health insurance, and additional compensation for night shifts, holidays, or hazardous material handling.
Salary Table – Garbage Truck Driver Pay by State in 2025
Highest Paying States for Garbage Truck Drivers in 2025
Overview of the top-paying states
While the national average sits at $40,460 annually, several states and territories offer significantly higher salaries. The leaders in 2025 include:
- New Brunswick – $45,949 annually ($22.09/hour)
- Washington – $45,825 annually ($22.03/hour)
- District of Columbia – $45,721 annually ($21.98/hour)
These states not only exceed the national average but also provide garbage truck drivers with earnings that are 13% or more above the national baseline.
Why these states lead in salary
There are several reasons why New Brunswick, Washington, and D.C. consistently appear at the top of the list:
- Urbanization and population density
- High population density means more waste collection, more complex routes, and higher demand for skilled drivers.
- Cities such as Washington, D.C., and Seattle require larger sanitation fleets to keep up with waste volumes.
- Union strength
- Sanitation departments in these regions are heavily unionized, providing workers with greater bargaining power.
- This often results in guaranteed wage increases, strong healthcare coverage, and pensions.
- Cost of living adjustments
- The cost of living in areas like Washington, D.C., and the Pacific Northwest is significantly higher than the national average.
- Wages are increased proportionally to allow workers to sustain a reasonable lifestyle.
- Government and municipal contracts
- D.C. sanitation workers are often tied to government contracts, which can provide more stable and higher-paying opportunities compared to purely private sector waste management jobs.
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Additional high-paying regions
Beyond the top three, states such as New York ($44,265), Massachusetts ($44,187), and Alaska ($43,573) also stand out. These states combine a higher cost of living with strong municipal or private waste collection programs that drive wages upward.
In short, garbage truck drivers looking to maximize their income may consider relocating to states with both higher wages and union protections. However, drivers must weigh the salary benefits against the higher costs of living in these regions.
Factors That Influence Garbage Truck Driver Salaries
Experience Level – Entry-Level vs. Senior Drivers
The salary trajectory for garbage truck drivers typically progresses with tenure. Entry-level drivers may earn closer to the bottom of their state’s range, while senior drivers, with years of experience and familiarity with routes and safety protocols, often command significantly higher wages.
- Training Costs Recovered: Senior drivers help new hires, reducing onboarding time and costs for employers—making them more valuable.
- Safety Record & Efficiency: Experienced drivers tend to maintain higher safety scores and complete routes faster, earning additional compensation through performance bonuses.
Union Membership – Collective Bargaining Power
Unionized drivers consistently earn more than their non-union counterparts due to collective bargaining agreements (CBAs). Unions negotiate structured pay scales, insurance, retirement benefits, and overtime rules without individual negotiations.
- Guaranteed Raises: Many unions specify automatic annual wage increases.
- Better Benefits: Health insurance, pensions, sick leave, holiday pay, and disability benefits.
- Job Security: Clear grievance procedures and protections against arbitrary dismissal.
Geographic Demand – Urban vs. Rural
In urban regions, garbage drivers benefit from higher route density and frequent pick-ups, which often produce longer working hours and more frequent overtime pay. Rural areas—while less stressful in traffic—may offer fewer hours and smaller workforce demand, directly impacting total earnings.
Employer Type – Private Companies vs. Municipal Contracts
- Private Waste Management Firms:
- May offer performance incentives or flexible shifts
- Varies widely by company policies and local competition
- Municipal Contracts:
- Often offer union-negotiated pay and benefits
- Salary structures tend to be more transparent and stable
Specializations – Endorsements and Niche Routes
Drivers with additional qualifications can access higher-paying opportunities. These specializations include:
- Hazmat Endorsements: Transporting or collecting toxic or hazardous materials requires specialized certifications and often offers a premium.
- Recycling or Industrial Route Qualification: Some types of collections (e.g., high-volume recycling centers or manufacturing waste) require training and offer higher pay.
- Supervisory or Trainer Roles: Drivers who also oversee routes, provide training, or manage small teams typically receive added compensation.
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Benefits Beyond Salary
While base pay is a critical factor in any career choice, garbage truck driving offers a range of benefits that often make the total compensation package significantly more attractive. These perks are especially valuable in unionized cities and larger municipalities, where sanitation departments provide long-term stability.
Healthcare, dental, and retirement contributions
Most full-time garbage truck drivers, especially those employed by city sanitation departments, receive comprehensive healthcare coverage. This includes:
- Medical insurance covering doctor visits, hospital care, and surgeries
- Dental insurance that reduces costs of cleanings, fillings, and orthodontics
- Vision care such as exams and glasses
- Employer-funded retirement plans, including pensions or 401(k) matching contributions
These benefits help ensure financial stability and reduce out-of-pocket costs, giving drivers peace of mind for both themselves and their families.
Overtime pay and holiday bonuses
Sanitation schedules rarely take a break. Garbage collection continues through most holidays, severe weather events, and even during national emergencies. Because of this, garbage truck drivers often earn premium pay rates when working outside standard shifts.
- Overtime multipliers (often time-and-a-half or double pay) dramatically boost annual earnings.
- Holiday bonuses for working on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s.
- Performance bonuses may be added for routes completed under time constraints or in high-demand seasons.
For many drivers, these extra earnings push annual salaries well above the listed averages.
Job security and pension in unionized cities
In heavily unionized states such as New York, Washington, and Massachusetts, garbage truck drivers enjoy exceptional job security. Unions negotiate clear job protections, seniority systems, and grievance procedures that safeguard workers from sudden layoffs or unfair treatment.
Additionally, many union contracts include lifetime pension plans, ensuring a stable income even after retirement. This is one of the most attractive long-term advantages of the profession compared to other blue-collar jobs that often lack retirement stability.
Growing demand due to waste management expansion
The waste management sector is rapidly expanding. Urbanization, e-commerce growth (increasing packaging waste), and rising populations all contribute to higher trash volumes. At the same time, recycling and green waste programs are adding new collection requirements, increasing the demand for skilled drivers.
Unlike some industries, waste collection is non-optional—cities cannot function without sanitation. This means garbage truck drivers will continue to enjoy strong demand for decades to come, making the profession both financially rewarding and recession-proof.
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