Industry Benefits Summary

Employee Benefits Summary for the Waste Management Industry

The waste management sub-sector focuses on the collection, treatment, and disposal of waste materials; electrical, hazardous, or recyclable, etc.; as well as the local hauling of these materials. Occupations within this industry require comprehensive training on the handling of various types of waste, especially hazardous materials removal workers.

Considering the impact waste can have on our environment, highly skilled and educated employees are an absolute must. Companies can get ahead of the competition by providing candidates with extensive benefits; the risk associated with a job in waste management can easily be tempered with excellent waste management employee benefits. For example, a higher amount of physical labor can result in an increased number of workers comp claims and higher overall medical expenses. Additionally, quality short and long term disability plans are important. There's a higher percentage of males in the waste management industry, who tend to place importance on access to employer sponsored healthcare and a 401K match.

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The Waste Management Industry Employment Summary

There are about 25,000 waste management facilities nationwide, employing 408,000 professionals. On average, each business is on the smaller side, with 16 staff members. This is a male-dominated industry, with only 16% of employees identifying as female, and the median employee age is 47 years old.

The Waste Management Industry Insurance Benefits Comparison

50%

What percentage of waste management employers offer medical insurance?

  • 50% offer access to medical insurance. This is well below the national average of 69%.
  • These businesses provide an average monthly employer premium of $955 for family coverage. This is below the national average of $1,121.
  • Additionally, they provide an average monthly employer premium of $406 for individual coverage. This is also below the national average of $458.

21%

What percentage of waste management employers offer short and/or long-term disability insurance?

21% of waste management employers offer short-term disability coverage, and 14% offer long-term disability insurance. The national average is 42% and 34%, respectively.

30%

What percentage of waste management employers offer life insurance?

30% offer access to a life insurance plan. Comparatively, the national average is 56%.

8%

Do waste management employers provide access to paid family leave?

  • 8% provide access to paid family leave. The national average is 20%.
  • 79% provide access to unpaid family leave. The national average is 88%.
  • 36% offer consolidated leave plans. The national average is 44%.

Summary

As a whole, the waste management industry has a lot of improvements it needs to make when providing comprehensive employee benefits packages. This industry stands well below the national standard for every single benefit they offer, and in order for employers to attract and retain, top-quality talent, they need to really amp up their waste management employee benefit plans. Once these changes are made, businesses in this industry will have what it takes to stand out as a differentiator from their competitors, ensuring the best talent comes onto their team.

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