There are currently an estimated 136,000 garbage collectors in the United States. The garbage collector job market is expected to grow by 13.2% between 2016 and 2026.

How employable are garbage collectors?

CareerExplorer rates garbage collectors with a C employability rating, meaning this career should provide moderate employment opportunities for the foreseeable future. Over the next 10 years, it is expected the US will need 25,200 garbage collectors. That number is based on 17,900 additional garbage collectors, and the retirement of 7,300 existing garbage collectors.

What’s the supply of garbage collectors?

The garbage collector industry is concentrated in California, New York, Texas

Garbage Collector job market by state

State Name Employed Garbage Collectors
California 13,020
New York 8,900
Texas 8,440
Florida 5,540
Ohio 4,850
North Carolina 4,430
Michigan 4,400
Illinois 4,210
Pennsylvania 4,170
Virginia 3,400
Georgia 3,320
Tennessee 2,550
Maryland 2,540
Arizona 2,270
Indiana 2,240
South Carolina 2,180
Oregon 2,090
Alabama 2,080
Colorado 2,040
Missouri 1,980
Wisconsin 1,980
Washington 1,960
New Jersey 1,910
Puerto Rico 1,900
Kentucky 1,740
Minnesota 1,550
Massachusetts 1,550
Oklahoma 1,540
Arkansas 1,450
Louisiana 1,410
Iowa 1,270
Kansas 1,260
Connecticut 1,180
Mississippi 1,060
Nebraska 1,010
West Virginia 1,000
Utah 830
New Hampshire 800
Maine 790
District of Columbia 680
Hawaii 640
New Mexico 550
Delaware 490
Montana 410
Vermont 410
Idaho 380
South Dakota 380
Rhode Island 340
North Dakota 320
Wyoming 280
Alaska 220