Not so bad compared to some of the choices on this list. . .and in my city, they had a solid union with benefits. . .I guess this one depends on the compensation package. . .I'd pick garbage if someone paid me enough. . .

From what I understand they get paid pretty good money, but they should. Who wants to be that close to somebody else's stinkin' garbage?

These days, in my city, these guys are just truck drivers.

All garbage is containerized, picked up by automated hooks, and anything that won't fit in the specially designed containers (provided by the city) will not be picked up by the city.

Definitely in the top 10 out of jobs most people have heard of.

I don't know how this job goes everywhere, but it is far different here than it used to be. The garbage man is more likely to be the one complaining than the resident. The garbage can (which is a can in name only) has to be in a specific location. If it is anywhere outside that area, they don't even have to empty it and will send you a letter in the mail lining out where the can needs to be. The trash truck has a mechanical arm that picks up the can and will empty it while the garbage men sit inside. More of often than not, then the arm brings the can back down, it bounces into the street. Not their problem. The hours are still wierd, and they may still have to deal with their problems from time to time, but this isn't as bad as it used to be.

Did it for a summer during college. Great motivator to finish college and get a slightly more professional occupation, and the money spent just as if I'd earned it as a lifeguard, which I did the next 2 summers. I'm not sure I could handle it today, arriving at work by 4:30 after 2 hours sleep. But when you know you're going back to college at the end of the summer, you convince yourself that you're Superman. And you are. Temporarily.