Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors Salary in the United States
As of May 2025, the median annual wage for refuse and recyclable material collectors in the United States was $49,690 ($23.89 per hour), according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OES survey.
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 survey, May 2025
Related Occupations
- Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers — $48,570/yr
- Medical and Health Services Managers — $123,860/yr
- Packers and Packagers, Hand — $36,280/yr
- Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers — $33,980/yr
- Substitute Teachers, Short-Term — $41,670/yr
- Computer Systems Analysts — $105,850/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 2025.
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.