Average garbage truck driver pay in 2026
Garbage truck drivers in the US earn approximately $52,000–$73,000 annually, with a median around $61,000. Hourly rates average $22–$24. Pay varies by route type (residential vs commercial), union status, experience, and geography. CDL is required. Unionized drivers and those in metropolitan areas often earn at the higher end of the range.
See our full waste management salary guide 2026 for drivers, dispatchers, route managers, and operations managers.
Factors that affect driver pay
Experience, CDL endorsements, hazardous materials handling, and overtime all impact pay. Companies using route optimization can often pay above market while reducing labor cost per stop. Use our ROI calculator to estimate savings from software.
Next steps
Benchmark your team with our salary guide. For startup costs and industry data, see startup costs and industry statistics. Get in touch to learn how TrashLab helps haulers optimize labor and routes.
