A junk removal fleet manager buys, maintains and keeps legal the box and dump trucks the crews drive every day. They schedule repairs around the booking calendar, use telematics to watch fuel, idling and hard driving, and keep the inspection and repair records a DOT audit asks for.
By the HireBus team · Updated · Pay data: BLS, May 2025
Median pay, waste collection companies · BLS, May 2025
The Fleet Manager is responsible for overseeing the acquisition, maintenance, and efficient operation of our truck fleet dedicated to junk removal services. This role is pivotal in ensuring optimal vehicle performance, adherence to DOT regulations, and fostering a safe, cost-effective, and reliable transportation operation that drives the overall success of our company.
2. Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Procure and manage a fleet of trucks to support efficient junk removal operations.
Develop, implement, and oversee preventative maintenance schedules for all vehicles.
Manage telematics systems to monitor fleet performance and ensure timely interventions.
Ensure strict compliance with DOT regulations and maintain accurate documentation.
Monitor and enhance fuel efficiency through best practices and regular reviews.
3. Key Tasks / Daily Activities
Review telematics data and maintenance alerts at the start of each day.
Coordinate with vendors and service providers to schedule routine and preventative maintenance.
Conduct daily safety checks and compliance audits on all fleet vehicles.
Communicate with drivers and operations teams to address service issues promptly.
Maintain detailed records of vehicle performance, repairs, and regulatory inspections.
4. Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
Preventative maintenance adherence: 100% compliance with scheduled maintenance.
Fuel efficiency improvement: Achieve a 10% reduction in fuel costs over the previous year.
Telematics system uptime: Maintain system reliability above 98%.
DOT compliance rate: Achieve and sustain a 100% success rate during DOT audits.
5. Required Qualifications and Skills
Bachelor’s degree in Business, Logistics, or a related field or equivalent work experience.
Minimum of 3 years’ experience in fleet management or transportation logistics.
Strong understanding of telematics systems and DOT regulatory compliance.
Excellent organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills.
6. Preferred Experience
Experience within the junk removal or home services industry.
Proven track record in managing a diverse fleet in a fast-paced environment.
Familiarity with advanced fleet management software and maintenance tracking systems.
Prior leadership experience managing a team of drivers or logistics personnel.
7. Physical Requirements
Ability to perform physical inspections of vehicles and related equipment.
Capability to lift and carry up to 25 lbs when necessary.
Comfort working in environments subject to varying weather conditions.
Ability to stand, walk, and navigate job sites for extended periods.
8. Work Environment and Schedule
Typical work hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
Occasional on-call duties required to address emergent fleet issues.
Regular travel between service sites, maintenance facilities, and office locations.
A blend of office-based work and on-site inspections in a dynamic operational environment.
9. Compensation and Benefits
Base salary range of $65,000 - $85,000 per year, commensurate with experience.
Eligibility for annual performance-based bonuses.
Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance plans.
401(k) plan with company match and additional fringe benefits.
10. Company Culture and Overview
At [INSERT COMPANY NAME HERE], we pride ourselves on fostering a collaborative and growth-oriented environment where every team member is valued. We believe in investing in professional development and success, empowering our employees to innovate and excel. Our culture is built on integrity, customer satisfaction, and a commitment to excellence, making us a trusted leader in the home services industry.
11. How to Apply
If you meet the above criteria and want to be part of a growth-oriented company focused on customer satisfaction, please send your resume to [INSERT EMAIL HERE] or apply online at [INSERT WEBSITE LINK HERE].
Need help filling this role? HireBus posts the ad, Iris interviews every applicant by phone before you do, and you decide who to hire. Start hiring now
What makes junk removal fleet management different
A junk hauler's trucks earn money only while they're on the road with a crew. Each one down for a day is a day of jobs moved or lost, and the loads are rougher on equipment than most deliveries.
Weight ratings decide which rules apply
Federal motor carrier rules start for a truck used in interstate commerce once its rating or loaded weight hits 10,001 pounds. The company then files Form MCS-150 for a USDOT number and updates it every two years, each truck needs a yearly inspection, and drivers need medical certification. At 26,001 pounds, drivers also need a CDL. States may exempt in-state trucks under 26,001 pounds from some of their rules, so check yours. Source: eCFR: Commercial motor vehicle definition (49 CFR 390.5T).
Every truck needs a passed yearly inspection
Each commercial truck has to pass an inspection of the parts on FMCSA's list at least once in the last 12 months, and the truck carries the proof, such as the report or a decal. The company can do it in-house or use a shop, as long as the inspector is qualified. Keep that report 14 months. Repair and service records stay a year, and six months after a truck leaves the fleet. Source: eCFR: Periodic inspection (49 CFR 396.17).
Driver write-ups close the loop
Under federal rules, a driver who finds a defect, or hears of one, writes it up when the day's work is done. Defects that could affect safety get fixed before the truck goes out again, and someone certifies on the report that the repair was made or wasn't needed. Keep those reports three months. A company running only one commercial truck is exempt. Source: eCFR: Driver vehicle inspection reports (49 CFR 396.11).
Dump bodies take a beating
One day the truck hauls mattresses; the next, wet drywall, concrete chunks and appliances. Hoist cylinders, hinge pins, tailgate latches, tarp systems and bed floors wear faster than on a delivery truck. The fleet manager greases and checks them on a schedule, and uses weigh tickets from the transfer station to spot crews who load past the truck's rating.
Telematics should coach, not just watch
GPS and engine data show idling during long cleanouts, hard braking, speeding and trucks parked off route. The fleet manager uses it to cut fuel waste, plan service by real engine hours and coach drivers one on one. Explain to crews what the system records and why before it goes live, and add cameras that face the driver only under a clear written policy.
How much junk removal fleet managers make
The closest BLS group for junk removal fleet managers is transportation, storage, and distribution managers. Transportation, storage, and distribution managers who work for waste collection companies earned a median of $108,160 a year ($52.00 an hour) in May 2025, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. That’s about the same as the $107,230 median for transportation, storage, and distribution managers in all industries. About 980 of the 221,180 transportation, storage, and distribution managers in that survey work for waste collection companies.
Salaried, with the yearly bonus the template offers. O*NET names fleet manager as one title in transportation, storage and distribution managers, a broad group that also holds distribution center and logistics managers. That mix helps explain why the BLS figure can run above the template's range.
Waste collection companies
$108,160$108,160 median Middle half $86,770–$130,360 10th–90th $67,530–$170,980
All industries
$107,230$107,230 median Middle half $82,440–$146,770 10th–90th $65,120–$194,900
$50k$75k$100k$125k$150k$175k$200k$225k
10th–90th percentileMiddle halfMedianAnnual pay, May 2025. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Annual pay by percentile
Group
10th
25th
Median
75th
90th
Waste collection companies
$67,530
$86,770
$108,160
$130,360
$170,980
All industries
$65,120
$82,440
$107,230
$146,770
$194,900
BLS doesn’t publish pay for junk removal companies on their own. These figures cover waste collection, which include them. Post a real range for your market in the ad.
The pay line in the template above is an example from our Role Blueprint. Set yours from these figures and what local companies pay.
Skills to hire for, and what you can teach
Hire for these
Three or more years running a truck fleet or a transportation operation
Working knowledge of FMCSA rules for inspections, repairs and truck records
Reads telematics reports and turns them into fixes
Gets fair prices and fast turnaround from repair shops and dealers
Keeps clean records an auditor can follow
Teach these on the job
Your trucks' dump bodies, hoists and tarp systems
Your telematics and maintenance software
Which disposal sites weigh trucks and how to read their tickets
Your crews' routes, yards and busiest days
Your buy, lease or rent rules for adding trucks
Expect a telematics platform such as Samsara, Motive, Geotab or Verizon Connect, a maintenance tracking system, fuel cards, and the FMCSA portal for USDOT filings. List the number of trucks, their sizes and whether any need a CDL in the ad.
Junk removal fleet manager interview questions
Two of the 6 questions we'd ask, and what a strong answer sounds like. Ask every candidate the same questions, and rate each answer on your own before you compare notes.
Situational · Unsafe driving
GPS data shows our top-revenue crew leader speeding and braking hard often. What do you do?
A strong answer: Reviews the data, meets with the driver and their manager, sets clear expectations, tracks the next few weeks and escalates if it continues. Safety beats revenue.
Behavioral · Repair or replace
Tell me about a time you decided to retire or replace a vehicle. How did you make the call?
A strong answer: Used repair cost trends, downtime, safety and total cost of ownership.
Base each target on twelve months of your own repair, fuel and audit records, and adjust when you add trucks or change routes.
Preventative maintenance adherence
Scheduled services done within their mileage, hour or date window, from the maintenance system. Count a missed one as late even when the truck ran fine.
Fuel efficiency improvement
Fuel spend per mile or per job from fuel cards and telematics, compared with last year. Separate savings from idling and routing from changes in fuel prices.
Telematics system uptime
Share of trucks reporting live location and engine data each day. Track dead devices and repair time, since a dark truck can't be routed or coached.
DOT compliance rate
Results of roadside inspections and any DOT audit, plus your own quarterly check of yearly inspection reports, driver write-ups and repair records. Pair it with the safety manager's review of driver files.
In a junk removal company this size, the safety and compliance manager owns the driver qualification files. The fleet manager feeds them: which drivers run which trucks, which trucks are heavy enough to bring in federal rules, and any crash, ticket or roadside inspection tied to a truck. Agree on a weekly hand-off so a new driver never takes a truck before the file is complete.
How much does a junk removal fleet manager make?
Transportation, storage, and distribution managers who work for waste collection companies earned a median of $108,160 a year ($52.00 an hour) in May 2025, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The middle half earned between $86,770 and $130,360 a year. Pay also depends on your local market, experience and bonus terms.
Should we buy trucks rated 26,001 pounds or more?
Only if the work needs them. At that rating a driver needs a CDL, and employers of CDL drivers must run a federal drug and alcohol testing program. That shrinks your hiring pool and adds cost. Price out smaller box and dump trucks first, and rent or subcontract heavier equipment for the occasional big demolition cleanup.
Should a fleet manager be a trained mechanic?
No. The template has the fleet manager working with outside shops and vendors. Mechanical sense helps a lot, because it lets them question a repair estimate and spot a driver's write-up that needs a closer look. If you run your own shop with mechanics, add that to the ad.
How do I check fleet experience in an interview?
Ask how they would set up service schedules for ten trucks with different mileage, what they would pull for a DOT audit, and how they decided between repairing and replacing an older truck. Good answers use their own numbers and records, not general talk about safety.
