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 |