Careers · Transportation and material moving

Recycling Coordinators

Recycling coordinators oversee curbside pickup and drop-off recycling operations for cities, counties, or private waste management companies. They manage staff, track program performance, ensure compliance with regulations, and work to increase participation rates. The role combines administrative oversight with field supervision of collection routes and facility operations.

$62,840median pay, U.S., per year

$50,070–$78,170middle half earn

633Kemployed in the U.S.

Associate degreetypical education · 30% hold a bachelor’s or higher

HighAI exposure · AI tools can speed up many tasks. Skills in using them will matter, and some roles may change.

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A day in the work

A recycling coordinator might review pickup route efficiency reports, respond to customer complaints about missed collections, and conduct a site visit to a drop-off center to check equipment and staffing levels. They schedule staff shifts, verify that collected materials meet quality standards, analyze contamination data, and attend meetings with municipal officials or contractors about program goals. Administrative work includes tracking budgets, updating recycling guidelines, and preparing monthly performance reports.

Who this work suits

Enterprising

63Conventional

60Realistic

50Social

40Investigative

21Artistic

Holland code ECR. Enterprising work is leading, persuading and making decisions. Aptly’s interest assessment scores you on the same six scales.

You do well in this role if you enjoy organizing systems and making sure operations run smoothly—that's the conventional interest. You also like taking initiative, solving problems, and moving projects forward, which draws on enterprising traits. Success requires attention to detail, comfort with data and procedures, and the ability to motivate teams toward measurable recycling goals.

What it takes

Preparation: Some preparation (usually high school; some on-the-job training). Most people in this occupation hold an associate degree.

Skills that matter most

SpeakingManagement of Personnel ResourcesActive ListeningCritical ThinkingCoordinationTime ManagementReading ComprehensionMonitoring

Knowledge areas

Customer and Personal ServiceAdministration and ManagementAdministrativeEducation and TrainingProduction and ProcessingMathematics (knowledge)

Who is hiring

1open role like this on employer career sites

1employer hiring

1posted in the last 7 days

PAwhere most openings are

Certifications people in this field hold

Managing Recycling Systems — Solid Waste Association of North America

Training

Local training programs Certifications Licenses in your state Apprenticeships

Aptly members see WIOA-approved programs, colleges and certificates near them, with completion and earnings data, on every Path plan.

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Are you suited for this?
Four short assessments and your background, scored against recycling coordinators and 13,000 other careers — with the reasons. Free.

Find out in 15 minutes See openings

O*NET-SOC 53-1042.01 · O*NET OnLine. Pay: BLS OEWS May 2025, annual, U.S. Employment counts are national.