They make up only a tiny percentage of our ranks. We think that’s probably because there just aren’t many women excited about the smell, the maggots, and the other not-so-pleasant aspects of the job.
We make a better living than you might think, especially for a job that doesn’t usually require a high school diploma. The average annual salary for a garbage-truck driver is almost $38,000, according to the U.S. Department of Labor, but we can make significantly more. In Chicago and other nearby cities, drivers pull in an average of $51,500 a year. Plus we have great job security: This is one role that can’t be outsourced overseas! You shouldn’t be throwing these food parts in the garbage.
Source: https://www.rd.com/advice/work-career/garbage-collector-secrets/