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Municipal Recycling Truck Driver: Occupations in Alberta - alis
Does the idea of driving a large vehicle appeal to you? Is recycling important to you? Can you lift heavy objects and do you like working on your own? Then you may want to climb into the driver’s seat as a municipal recycling truck driver.
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Occupations in Alberta

Municipal Recycling Truck Driver

Municipal recycling truck drivers collect, sort, and transport recyclable waste materials including glass, plastic, metal, and paper.

Contents View Full Profile
Also Known As

Driver, Recycling Truck Driver

NOC Codes

In Canada, the federal government groups and organizes occupations based on a National Occupational Classification (NOC) system. This alis occupation may not reflect the entire NOC group it is part of. Data for the NOC group can apply across multiple occupations.

The NOC system is updated every 5 years to reflect changes in the labour market. Government forms and labour market data may group and refer to an occupation differently, depending on the system used. Here is how this occupation has been classified over time:

  • 2006 NOC: Public Works Maintenance Equipment Operators (7422) 
  • 2006 NOC-S: Public Works Maintenance Equipment Operators (H612) 
  • 2011 NOC: Public works maintenance equipment operators and related workers (7522) 
  • 2016 NOC: Public works maintenance equipment operators and related workers (7522) 
Interests & Abilities

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2006 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.

Public Works Maintenance Equipment Operators

2006 NOC: 7422

Interest Codes

Interest Codes for This NOC Group
OBJECTIVE

Interest in driving garbage trucks, street cleaning equipment such as street sweepers and other vehicles equipped with rotating brushes, snowploughs and plough blades; sewer maintenance equipment such as rodders and sewer jet cleaners; and trucks equipped with road-sanding and other similar apparatus

METHODICAL

Interest in comparing information to maintain streets and repair sewer systems, and to remove garbage and dump loads at designated areas

innovative

Interest in checking, lubricating, refuelling and cleaning equipment, and in reporting any malfunctions to supervisors

Your Interest Codes

To identify or change your interest codes, complete the Interests Exercise in CAREERinsite.

Reading Interest Codes
A Quick Guide

The interest code helps you figure out if you’d like to work in a particular occupation. 

It’s based on the Canadian Work Preference Inventory (CWPI), which measures 5 occupational interests: Directive, Innovative, Methodical, Objective, and Social.

Each set of 3 interest codes for this NOC group is listed in order of importance.

A code in capital letters means it’s a strong fit for the occupation.

A code in all lowercase letters means the fit is weaker.

Learn About Interests

Abilities

Typical ability expectations for this NOC group
Your abilities

To fill in or change the values for your abilities, complete the Abilities Exercise in CAREERinsite.

Mental Abilities

General Learning Ability

Verbal Ability

Numerical Ability

Visual Abilities

Spatial Perception

Form Perception

Clerical Perception

Physical Abilities

Motor Coordination

Finger Dexterity

Manual Dexterity

Understanding Abilities

A Quick Guide

You are born with abilities that help you process certain types of information and turn it into action. These abilities influence which skills you can learn more easily.

The abilities or aptitudes shown for this NOC group come from the General Aptitude Test Battery (GATB). The GATB measures 9 aptitudes. It groups them into 3 categories: mental, visual, and physical.

The abilities scores range from 1 to 5, with 5 being stronger.

Learn About Abilities

Duties
Updated Mar 31, 2018

Municipal recycling truck drivers pick up special types of recyclable materials along assigned routes. They may operate regular trucks or specially designed trucks. These trucks may have dual-drive cabs or automated side loaders.

Duties vary but, in general, municipal recycling truck drivers:

  • inspect the vehicle and equipment before they start driving (to ensure things are safe and in good working order)
  • follow a regular pickup route or route card instructions
  • load blue bins or bags into collection units or sort materials into truck compartments
  • answer questions about recycling and deal respectfully with the public
  • speak with dispatchers concerning delays, unsafe sites, accidents, equipment breakdowns, and other maintenance problems
  • return to recycling depots or warehouses to dump truck contents
  • refuel trucks at depots
  • keep work areas and trucks clean, and remove snow as required
  • review policies and procedures often
  • complete required paperwork.

In some places, truck operators collect both refuse and recyclable materials. To learn more, see the Refuse Collector profile.

Working Conditions
Updated Mar 31, 2018
  • Strength Required Lift up to 20 kg

In general, municipal recycling truck drivers work shifts. They may have to work split shifts, afternoons, and weekends.

Drivers work in all types of weather. They work with waste materials that may be dirty or smelly. They routinely lift items that weigh up to 20 kilograms.

Traits & Skills
Updated Mar 31, 2018

Municipal recycling truck drivers need to possess:

  • the ability to work steadily and quickly for a full shift
  • the ability to follow directions
  • the ability to work on their own
  • confidence operating large equipment.

They should enjoy:

  • routine, repetitive work
  • driving.

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2011 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.

Top 10 Skills Employers Are Looking For

Public works maintenance equipment operators and related workers

2011 NOC: 7522

This chart shows which job skills are currently in highest demand for this occupational group. It was created using this occupation's 23 most recent Alberta job postings, collected between Dec 15, 2021 and Sep 26, 2022.

Review these skills to learn:

  • Whether or not this occupation matches your skill set
  • What training you may need to get these skills
  • What skills to highlight in your resumé, cover letter, and interview.
Check, lubricate, refuel and clean equipment
Report any malfunctions to supervisor
Operate various vehicles and equipment
Health benefits: Vision care benefits
Health benefits: Dental plan
Health benefits: Health care plan
Long term benefits: Other benefits
Personal Suitability: Excellent oral communication
Personal Suitability: Flexibility
Long term benefits: Group insurance benefits
Check, lubricate, refuel and clean equipment 14
Report any malfunctions to supervisor 13
Operate various vehicles and equipment 13
Health benefits: Vision care benefits 12
Health benefits: Dental plan 12
Health benefits: Health care plan 11
Long term benefits: Other benefits 9
Personal Suitability: Excellent oral communication 8
Personal Suitability: Flexibility 8
Long term benefits: Group insurance benefits 8
Educational Requirements
Updated Mar 31, 2018
  • Minimum Education Varies

Municipal recycling truck drivers are trained on the job.

Employers require job applicants to have a clean driving record and a Class 3 Operator’s Licence with air brake “Q” endorsement.

There are no formal education requirements for municipal recycling truck drivers. However, they may need a high school diploma to advance.

For a list of driving schools in Alberta, please go to the Alberta Transportation website.

To expand or narrow your search for programs related to this occupation, visit Post-Secondary Programs.

Completing a program does not guarantee entrance into an occupation. Before enrolling in an education program, prospective students should look into various sources for education options and employment possibilities. For example, contact associations and employers in this field.

Certification Requirements
Updated Mar 31, 2018
  • Certification Not Regulated

There is currently no provincial legislation regulating this occupation in Alberta.

Employment & Advancement
Updated Mar 31, 2018

Municipal recycling truck drivers are part of the larger 2011 National Occupational Classification 7511: Transport truck drivers. In Alberta, 79% of people employed in this classification work in the following industries:

The employment outlook [pdf] in this occupation will be influenced by a wide variety of factors including:

  • trends and events that affect overall employment (especially in the industries listed above)
  • location in Alberta
  • employment turnover (work opportunities that come up when people leave existing positions)
  • occupational growth (work opportunities that come up when new positions are created)
  • size of the occupation.

In Alberta, the 7522: Public works maintenance equipment operators and related workers occupational group is expected to have a below-average annual growth of 1.7% from 2019 to 2023. In addition to job openings created by employment turnover, 58 new positions are forecasted to be created within this occupational group each year.

Note
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For example, only some of the new positions to be created will be for this occupation. It also applies to other data for the NOC group such as number of people employed.

Source: Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook

Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.

Related Alberta Job Postings
Wage & Salary
Updated Mar 31, 2018

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.

Public works maintenance equipment operators and related workers

2016 NOC: 7522
Average Wage
$28.00
Per Hour
Average Salary
$54,602.00
Per Year
Average Hours
38.7
Per Week
Average Months on Payroll
11.4
Survey Methodology Survey Analysis

Source
 2019 Alberta Wage and Salary Survey

NOC 7522 Wage Profile

Unless otherwise noted, the data shown here is for all industries and all regions in Alberta.

All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production), and other forms of compensation.

To see the full survey data for this NOC group, visit the wage profile.

Other wage sources
To make an informed wage and salary decision, research other wage sources [pdf] to supplement this data.

A: High Reliability
Data Reliability Code Definition

High Reliability, represents a CV of less than or equal to 6.00% and 30 survey observations and/or represents 50% or more of all estimated employment for the occupation.

Hourly Wage

For full-time and part-time employees
  • Low
  • High
  • Average
  • Median
Starting
Overall
Top

Hourly Wage

For full-time and part-time employees
Wages* Low (5th percentile) High (95th percentile) Average Median
Starting $15.00 $33.91 $25.19 $27.00
Overall $18.00 $37.30 $28.00 $27.55
Top $20.00 $44.08 $31.01 $31.00

Swipe left and right to view all data. Scroll left and right to view all data.

* All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production) and other forms of compensation.

Pay brackets for hourly wages

  • Starting pay: average pay offered for entry-level positions
  • Overall pay: average pay across all employees in this occupation
  • Top pay: average pay offered to top-paid employees

Industry Information

Public Administration
ALL INDUSTRIES
Business, Building and Other Support Services
Information, Culture, Recreation
Construction
Manufacturing
Public Administration $64,098
ALL INDUSTRIES $54,602
Business, Building and Other Support Services $53,137
Information, Culture, Recreation $44,559
Construction $42,253
Manufacturing $40,866

Skills Shortage

Employers that Recruited in the Last 2 Years
63%
63%)
Recruiting Employers that Experienced Hiring Difficulties
16%
16%
Employers with Unfilled Vacancies of over 4 Months
4%
4%
Vacancy Rate
3%
Related High School Subjects
  • Trades, Manufacturing and Transportation
    • Mechanics
Related Post-Secondary Field of Study
  • Driver Training

Updated Mar 31, 2018. The information contained in this profile is current as of the dates shown. Salary, employment outlook, and educational program information may change without notice. It is advised that you confirm this information before making any career decisions.

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