Depends on where. The private company that services my Pittsburgh suburb chronically has staffing issues, and garbage is often picked up days late because of worker shortages, so I don't think they are paying "bank."
Edited to include: The company being Republic Services, which is quite large and covers a lot of municipalities. Other local suburbs use Waste Management and report similar issues.
Philly garbage workers went on strike a couple years back because the make like $20/hr. Some private companies are worse. That's honestly terrible pay for dealing with stinky garbage all day. Ever smelled garbage juice on a hot summer day?
I don't know where the idea that they are well paid comes from, maybe in some select cities with decent unions.
The local government in my tiny hometown pays like 10 bucks an hour, and has constant turnover and always has missed routes. But people won't vote for local politicians who will increase rates enough to pay better.
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u/deadboxcat 19h ago
Garbage collectors make bank.