Recycling coordinators organize and manage waste collection and recycling programs for organizations and communities. You'll coordinate logistics, communicate with staff and the public, and solve problems on the fly. Most positions require a high school diploma and some on-the-job training.
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Recycling coordinators oversee the day-to-day operations of recycling and waste management programs. You schedule collection activities, organize workflows, and make decisions about how to improve efficiency. You communicate with supervisors, team members, and people outside your organization to ensure programs run smoothly. You use computers to track data and manage schedules. You monitor operations to catch problems early and apply critical thinking to solve them as they arise.
Core work activities
Career video courtesy of CareerOneStop.
Recycling Coordinators earn a median of $62,890 a year, based on 2025 data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and location.
The outlook is steady. Employment is projected to grow 4 percent from 2024 to 2034, about as fast as average for all occupations, with about 61,300 openings a year.
Top skills
Knowledge areas
Most recycling coordinator positions require a high school diploma or equivalent. You'll benefit from some foundational knowledge in administration, customer service, and basic math. Many people enter this field through entry-level positions and learn on the job. Look for opportunities with waste management companies, municipalities, or organizations with active recycling programs. Your ability to communicate clearly, listen actively, and think critically will help you advance in the role.
Recycling coordinator roles are available through waste management companies, municipalities, and large organizations. If you're exploring whether this path fits your timeline and interests, Pathly can map the recycling coordinator path that fits you and work through the steps with your counselor to build a plan that works for you.
You do not need a license to work as a recycling coordinator, but professional certifications can strengthen your resume.
Common certifications
You're drawn to organizing systems and solving problems. You like taking charge of projects, communicating with different groups, and making decisions that move things forward.
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Last updated July 1, 2026.
Data sources. Career details from the O*NET 30.3 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under CC BY 4.0. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. Salary and outlook figures from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025 wages; 2024–2034 projections), delivered via the CareerOneStop API. Certification, licensing, wage, and outlook data from CareerOneStop, sponsored by USDOL/ETA and the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED).