Refuse and Recyclable Material Collector Salary
Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors earn a median $49,690 a year nationally. Transportation and Material Moving Occupations
U.S. median
$49,690
$23.89 per hour
Range
$33,590 – $75,900
10th to 90th percentile
Employed
147,240
across the U.S.
▲2.8%
Pay trend: The median for refuse and recyclable material collectors in the U.S. rose from $48,350 (May 2024) to $49,690 (May 2025). That roughly kept pace with inflation (2.4%).
What refuse and recyclable material collectors do
Collect and dump refuse or recyclable materials from containers into truck. May drive truck.
- Typical education
- No formal educational credential
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- Short-term on-the-job training
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +2.1% (about average)
- Openings per year
- 15,500
- Self-employed
- 4%
Employment of refuse and recyclable material collectors is projected to grow 2.1% from 2025 to 2035, about the same as the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 15,500 openings are expected each year, on average, including jobs left by workers who retire or switch careers.
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Refuse and Recyclable Material Collector take-home pay calculator
Starts at the national median. Pick your state to see your real paycheck.
Your take-home pay
$42,106
per year · effective tax rate 15.3%
$3,509Monthly
$1,754Twice a month
$1,619Every 2 weeks
$20.24Hourly
- Federal income tax$3,783
- Social Security (6.2%)$3,081
- Medicare (1.45%)$721
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$42,106
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 0.00% state
Pay by experience
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home (no state tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $33,590 | $16.15 | $29,170 |
| 25th percentile | $39,080 | $18.79 | $33,581 |
| Median (50th) | $49,690 | $23.89 | $42,106 |
| 75th percentile | $62,020 | $29.82 | $52,013 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $75,900 | $36.49 | $62,226 |
Best cities for refuse and recyclable material collectors (after tax & cost of living)
| # | Metro area | Median | Take-home | Real value* | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chicago, IL | $77,470 | $59,640 | $57,571 | 3,330 |
| 2 | Philadelphia, PA | $59,730 | $48,339 | $47,136 | 2,610 |
| 3 | New York, NY | $65,310 | $51,727 | $45,954 | 13,310 |
| 4 | Los Angeles, CA | $62,490 | $49,779 | $43,833 | 4,210 |
| 5 | Dallas, TX | $47,960 | $40,716 | $39,495 | 4,300 |
| 6 | Atlanta, GA | $47,840 | $38,759 | $38,737 | 2,950 |
| 7 | Miami, FL | $49,770 | $42,170 | $36,941 | 3,370 |
| 8 | Washington, DC | $46,530 | $37,941 | $34,845 | 3,100 |
*Take-home pay in U.S.-average dollars (BEA Regional Price Parities).
Highest-paying cities
- Chicago, IL — $77,470
- New York, NY — $65,310
- Los Angeles, CA — $62,490
- Philadelphia, PA — $59,730
- Miami, FL — $49,770
- Dallas, TX — $47,960
- Atlanta, GA — $47,840
- Washington, DC — $46,530
Refuse and Recyclable Material Collector salary by state
| State | Median | 1-yr change | Take-home | Range | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Illinois | $75,050 | +21.3% | $58,057 | $38,790 – $88,640 | 4,910 |
| Washington | $74,620 | +4.5% | $61,325 | $54,070 – $88,990 | 3,750 |
| New York | $64,950 | +0.6% | $51,457 | $42,740 – $86,720 | 11,630 |
| California | $64,890 | +5.3% | $51,496 | $45,970 – $90,370 | 13,930 |
| Oregon | $63,210 | +3.6% | $48,268 | $53,270 – $72,440 | 2,500 |
| Minnesota | $62,570 | +1.5% | $49,724 | $47,260 – $71,450 | 2,500 |
| Nevada | $61,310 | −6.3% | $51,443 | $48,030 – $81,950 | 770 |
| Delaware | $61,290 | +30.5% | $48,702 | $38,700 – $74,590 | 600 |
| Colorado | $60,310 | −0.5% | $48,694 | $39,580 – $75,330 | 3,700 |
| Wisconsin | $59,810 | −1.0% | $48,387 | $33,360 – $64,200 | 1,550 |
| Utah | $59,310 | +16.9% | $48,133 | $42,990 – $72,930 | 960 |
| North Dakota | $59,000 | +17.0% | $49,587 | $41,690 – $71,330 | 360 |
| Indiana | $58,900 | −0.6% | $47,798 | $36,000 – $64,680 | 3,180 |
| Hawaii | $56,270 | +1.7% | $44,647 | $30,760 – $65,740 | 770 |
| Rhode Island | $55,970 | +8.8% | $45,670 | $34,810 – $61,370 | 470 |
| District of Columbia | $55,490 | +3.0% | $44,603 | $39,810 – $76,020 | 540 |
| New Jersey | $54,630 | +7.8% | $44,605 | $37,590 – $71,230 | 4,330 |
| Vermont | $51,960 | +5.6% | $42,623 | $41,240 – $63,070 | 160 |
| Michigan | $51,030 | −13.9% | $41,265 | $34,150 – $76,360 | 4,020 |
| Massachusetts | $50,310 | −15.5% | $40,309 | $39,180 – $73,090 | 1,010 |
| Missouri | $50,010 | +7.0% | $40,950 | $31,760 – $71,270 | 1,930 |
| Idaho | $49,880 | +3.5% | $40,723 | $38,210 – $58,030 | 730 |
| Iowa | $49,850 | +2.1% | $40,992 | $38,220 – $63,350 | 1,780 |
| Montana | $49,420 | −3.5% | $40,323 | $37,080 – $60,730 | 370 |
| Nebraska | $49,390 | +4.0% | $40,497 | $37,210 – $59,400 | 910 |
| Ohio | $49,330 | +1.2% | $41,242 | $35,840 – $62,450 | 4,710 |
| Wyoming | $48,820 | +1.8% | $41,407 | $33,770 – $58,800 | 280 |
| Pennsylvania | $48,240 | +13.0% | $39,460 | $31,200 – $66,660 | 6,220 |
| Florida | $47,820 | +2.0% | $40,603 | $35,350 – $61,450 | 11,650 |
| New Mexico | $47,660 | +1.8% | $39,393 | $34,870 – $61,040 | 1,070 |
| Georgia | $46,960 | +9.2% | $38,098 | $31,680 – $60,330 | 4,830 |
| Arizona | $46,910 | +18.3% | $38,908 | $33,480 – $73,610 | 2,380 |
| New Hampshire | $46,580 | +9.1% | $39,607 | $37,920 – $59,810 | 340 |
| Virginia | $46,530 | +1.0% | $37,705 | $28,120 – $61,040 | 4,330 |
| Texas | $46,330 | +1.4% | $39,406 | $30,830 – $59,380 | 12,860 |
| Alabama | $46,240 | +16.0% | $37,287 | $29,500 – $61,000 | 2,790 |
| Alaska | $45,740 | +24.2% | $38,932 | $31,620 – $80,310 | 250 |
| Kansas | $45,510 | +7.0% | $37,008 | $29,100 – $57,090 | 910 |
| North Carolina | $44,670 | +10.3% | $36,799 | $25,140 – $58,570 | 7,250 |
| Maine | $43,360 | +0.3% | $35,275 | $34,590 – $61,950 | 770 |
| Tennessee | $43,270 | +12.2% | $36,947 | $28,390 – $61,400 | 2,550 |
| Kentucky | $43,100 | +16.7% | $35,420 | $29,610 – $56,170 | 1,580 |
| Oklahoma | $43,060 | +16.9% | $35,387 | $31,030 – $59,590 | 2,030 |
| Maryland | $41,870 | +4.5% | $34,197 | $35,900 – $61,210 | 3,120 |
| Mississippi | $39,170 | +8.6% | $32,818 | $29,420 – $58,340 | 1,970 |
| Louisiana | $38,810 | +5.2% | $32,586 | $27,840 – $59,010 | 2,200 |
| Connecticut | $38,220 | −16.5% | $32,095 | $34,980 – $62,330 | 810 |
| West Virginia | $35,840 | −2.2% | $30,017 | $26,520 – $47,960 | 1,000 |
| Arkansas | $35,640 | −2.7% | $29,640 | $26,590 – $51,570 | 1,600 |
| South Carolina | $34,880 | −6.7% | $29,270 | $22,340 – $50,600 | 2,020 |
| South Dakota | $32,950 | −0.2% | $28,655 | $27,380 – $47,700 | 340 |
Related jobs
| Job | Median salary | Education | Growth 2025–35 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dredge Operator | $49,640 | High school diploma or equivalent | +0.7% |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operator | $46,420 | No formal educational credential | +1.5% |
| Hoist and Winch Operator | $56,450 | No formal educational credential | +0.2% |
| Conveyor Operator and Tender | $42,420 | No formal educational credential | -2.6% |
| Material Moving Workers, All Other | $41,800 | No formal educational credential | +2.7% |
| Machine Feeder and Offbearer | $41,220 | No formal educational credential | -13.1% |
| Tank Car, Truck, and Ship Loaders | $58,870 | No formal educational credential | +2.8% |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $40,240 | No formal educational credential | +1.8% |
| Pump Operators, Except Wellhead Pumpers | $61,770 | High school diploma or equivalent | +4.3% |
| Stocker and Order Filler | $37,330 | No formal educational credential | +8.9% |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a refuse and recyclable material collector make?
The national median salary for refuse and recyclable material collectors is $49,690 a year ($23.89 an hour). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $33,590 and the top 10% earn over $75,900. Source: BLS, May 2025.
Which state pays refuse and recyclable material collectors the most?
Illinois has the highest median pay at $75,050. After taxes and local prices, Chicago, IL offers the best real take-home pay of any metro area.
How many refuse and recyclable material collectors are there in the U.S.?
About 147,240 people work as refuse and recyclable material collectors nationwide.