Other Waste Collection Revenue Benchmarks
The average other waste collection business in the United States generates $773K in annual revenue, according to the U.S. Census Bureau Statistics of U.S. Businesses (SUSB 2021). There are 1,231 other waste collection businesses in the U.S., employing 10,276 workers with an average profit margin of 8.0%. The average employee in this industry earns $59K per year (Bureau of Labor Statistics QCEW 2023).
What Does a Other Waste Collection Business Actually Do?
Specialty waste collection — medical waste (Stericycle), hazardous waste, C&D debris, specialty industrial.
Who buys: Hospitals, industrial companies, construction sites, businesses generating specialty waste.
Average Revenue
$773K
per year
Profit Margin
8.0%
industry average
Revenue / Employee
$93K
per year
Total Businesses
1,231
in the US
Est. Owner Income
$62K
small business avg
Labor Cost
55.0%
of revenue
Avg Employee Wage
$59K
per year (BLS)
Market Saturation
0.4
firms per 100K people
How Much Do Other Waste Collection Charge?
Specialty waste collection — medical waste, hazardous waste, construction debris.
| Service | Typical range |
|---|---|
Medical waste (per lb) | $0.50–2.00/lb |
Hazardous waste (per drum) | $150–500 per 55-gal drum |
Construction debris (per load) | $400–1,000 |
Ranges based on industry rate surveys and typical published pricing. Actual quotes vary by city, business size, and job complexity.
Complete other waste collection business plan
A 12-section data-backed business plan for a other waste collection business — executive summary, market analysis, competitive landscape, revenue model, 3-year financial projections, operations, marketing, staffing, funding request. Pre-populated with real Census, IRS, and BLS data on this industry. Free to view.
Cost Structure — Where Every $100 in Revenue Goes
Approximate P&L breakdown for the other waste collection industry. Labor share and net profit are grounded in Census SUSB and IRS SOI data. Other lines are split using sector-typical ratios.
| Category | Per $100 revenue | Per typical business | What's in it |
|---|---|---|---|
Direct service costs | $7 | $57K | Cleaning supplies, uniforms, equipment consumables — depends on service type. |
Wages & benefits | $55 | $425K | Payroll for all employees at the business (owner comp not included for small owner-operators). |
Rent & facilities | $6 | $43K | Rent or mortgage on business location plus utilities tied to the space. |
Marketing & advertising | $4 | $29K | Google/Meta ads, SEO, print, referral fees, event sponsorships. |
Other operating costs | $20 | $157K | Insurance, background checks, training, transportation, admin. |
Net profit | $8 | $62K | What remains for the owner or shareholders after all business expenses. |
Directionally accurate for a typical business in the industry. Individual businesses vary widely — a franchise may run a very different cost mix from an independent, and older established businesses often have lower labor share than newer ones.
Average Revenue by Business Size
Industry Dynamics (Census BDS 2023)
New Business Rate
9.17%
openings/year
Closure Rate
6.71%
closings/year
Net Job Growth
+3.63%
annual
Businesses Closed
690
in 2023
Firm Count Trend
Should You Start a Other Waste Collection Business?
Startup Cost
$50K – $250K
Break-Even
29 months
5-Year Survival Rate
50.0%
Related Industries
Frequently Asked Questions
- What does a other waste collection business do?
- Specialty waste collection — medical waste (Stericycle), hazardous waste, C&D debris, specialty industrial. Hospitals, industrial companies, construction sites, businesses generating specialty waste.
- How much do other waste collection charge?
- Specialty waste collection — medical waste, hazardous waste, construction debris. See the pricing table above for typical rates by service type.
- How much does the average other waste collection make per year?
- The average other waste collection business generates $773K in annual revenue, based on U.S. Census Bureau data (SUSB 2021). After expenses, the estimated owner profit is $62K per year at a 8.0% profit margin.
- How many other waste collection businesses are there in the US?
- There are 1,231 other waste collection businesses operating in the United States, employing a total of 10,276 workers.
- How much does it cost to start a other waste collection business?
- Startup costs for a other waste collection business typically range from $50K to $250K, with a 5-year survival rate of 50.0%.
- What is the average salary in the other waste collection industry?
- The average employee in the other waste collection industry earns $59K per year, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data (QCEW 2023).
Industry Growth & Survival
The other waste collection industry is actively growing — adding jobs at a net rate of 3.6% per year. New establishments are opening faster than existing ones close (9.2% entry vs 6.7% exit), indicating healthy demand.
Approximately 71% of other waste collection businesses survive their first 5 years. This is above the national average (~50%), making it a relatively safe industry to enter. In 2023, 690 firms in this industry closed permanently.
Employment & Wages
The average employee in the other waste collection industry earns $59,096/year. This is near the national average of ~$65K. With 2,358 establishments employing 17,033 people, the typical business has about 7 employees.
Industry Trend (2000–2023)
The other waste collection industry has grown 39% since 2000 (from 5,793 to 8,038 firms).
See full historical statistics →Compare Other Waste Collection revenue with other industries: