Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors Salary in the United States
Median annual wage: $49,690 · Median hourly: $23.89 · Employment: 147,240
Annual Salary Percentiles
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $33,590 | $16.15 |
| 25th | $39,080 | $18.79 |
| Median | $49,690 | $23.89 |
| 75th | $62,020 | $29.82 |
| 90th | $75,900 | $36.49 |
Quick Facts
- Occupational code: 53-7081
- Total U.S. employment: 147,240
- Jobs per 1,000: —
- Hourly salary breakdown
- All-state comparison
Reading the data
For career planning: entry-level pay (10th percentile) is about $33,590, median pay is $49,690, and experienced pay (90th percentile) reaches $75,900.
Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors Salary by State
The table below ranks every state by median annual wage. Click a state for detailed local data.
| State | Median Annual | Median Hourly | vs National | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $46,240 | $22.23 | -6.9% | 2,790 |
| Alaska | $45,740 | $21.99 | -7.9% | 250 |
| Arizona | $46,910 | $22.55 | -5.6% | 2,380 |
| Arkansas | $35,640 | $17.13 | -28.3% | 1,600 |
| California | $64,890 | $31.20 | +30.6% | 13,930 |
| Colorado | $60,310 | $29.00 | +21.4% | 3,700 |
| Connecticut | $38,220 | $18.37 | -23.1% | 810 |
| Delaware | $61,290 | $29.47 | +23.3% | 600 |
| District of Columbia | $55,490 | $26.68 | +11.7% | 540 |
| Florida | $47,820 | $22.99 | -3.8% | 11,650 |
| Georgia | $46,960 | $22.58 | -5.5% | 4,830 |
| Hawaii | $56,270 | $27.05 | +13.2% | 770 |
| Idaho | $49,880 | $23.98 | +0.4% | 730 |
| Illinois | $75,050 | $36.08 | +51.0% | 4,910 |
| Indiana | $58,900 | $28.32 | +18.5% | 3,180 |
| Iowa | $49,850 | $23.97 | +0.3% | 1,780 |
| Kansas | $45,510 | $21.88 | -8.4% | 910 |
| Kentucky | $43,100 | $20.72 | -13.3% | 1,580 |
| Louisiana | $38,810 | $18.66 | -21.9% | 2,200 |
| Maine | $43,360 | $20.85 | -12.7% | 770 |
| Maryland | $41,870 | $20.13 | -15.7% | 3,120 |
| Massachusetts | $50,310 | $24.19 | +1.2% | 1,010 |
| Michigan | $51,030 | $24.53 | +2.7% | 4,020 |
| Minnesota | $62,570 | $30.08 | +25.9% | 2,500 |
| Mississippi | $39,170 | $18.83 | -21.2% | 1,970 |
| Missouri | $50,010 | $24.04 | +0.6% | 1,930 |
| Montana | $49,420 | $23.76 | -0.5% | 370 |
| Nebraska | $49,390 | $23.75 | -0.6% | 910 |
| Nevada | $61,310 | $29.47 | +23.4% | 770 |
| New Hampshire | $46,580 | $22.40 | -6.3% | 340 |
| New Jersey | $54,630 | $26.27 | +9.9% | 4,330 |
| New Mexico | $47,660 | $22.92 | -4.1% | 1,070 |
| New York | $64,950 | $31.23 | +30.7% | 11,630 |
| North Carolina | $44,670 | $21.48 | -10.1% | 7,250 |
| North Dakota | $59,000 | $28.37 | +18.7% | 360 |
| Ohio | $49,330 | $23.72 | -0.7% | 4,710 |
| Oklahoma | $43,060 | $20.70 | -13.3% | 2,030 |
| Oregon | $63,210 | $30.39 | +27.2% | 2,500 |
| Pennsylvania | $48,240 | $23.19 | -2.9% | 6,220 |
| Rhode Island | $55,970 | $26.91 | +12.6% | 470 |
| South Carolina | $34,880 | $16.77 | -29.8% | 2,020 |
| South Dakota | $32,950 | $15.84 | -33.7% | 340 |
| Tennessee | $43,270 | $20.80 | -12.9% | 2,550 |
| Texas | $46,330 | $22.27 | -6.8% | 12,860 |
| Utah | $59,310 | $28.52 | +19.4% | 960 |
| Vermont | $51,960 | $24.98 | +4.6% | 160 |
| Virginia | $46,530 | $22.37 | -6.4% | 4,330 |
| Washington | $74,620 | $35.88 | +50.2% | 3,750 |
| West Virginia | $35,840 | $17.23 | -27.9% | 1,000 |
| Wisconsin | $59,810 | $28.76 | +20.4% | 1,550 |
| Wyoming | $48,820 | $23.47 | -1.8% | 280 |
Data source: BLS OES state file · U.S. BLS OES, May 2024 (updated April 2025)
Related Occupations
- General and Operations Managers — $105,770/yr
- Registered Nurses — $97,550/yr
- Cashiers — $32,880/yr
- Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand — $40,240/yr
- Stockers and Order Fillers — $37,330/yr
- Customer Service Representatives — $44,770/yr
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average salary for refuse and recyclable material collectors?
The median annual wage for refuse and recyclable material collectors is $49,690 ($23.89 per hour), according to the BLS OES survey for May 2024.
Which state pays refuse and recyclable material collectors the most?
Wages vary by state. Use the state table above to compare median annual pay across all 50 states and Washington, D.C.
How many refuse and recyclable material collectors are employed in the U.S.?
There are approximately 147,240 refuse and recyclable material collectors employed nationally, per BLS OES.
How much do refuse and recyclable material collectors make per hour?
The median hourly wage is $23.89. See the hourly salary page for the full percentile breakdown.