Refuse and Recyclable Material Collector Salary in Atlanta, GA
Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors in the Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA metro area earn a median $47,840 a year — 4% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $38,759 take-home, or $3,230 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median refuse and recyclable material collector salary in Atlanta, GA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$3,561
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,966
- Medicare (1.45%)$694
- Georgia income tax$1,860
- Take-home pay$38,759
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 5.19% state
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Refuse and Recyclable Material Collector pay by experience in Atlanta, GA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,750 | $17.19 | $29,673 | $2,473 |
| 25th percentile | $37,340 | $17.95 | $30,868 | $2,572 |
| Median (50th) | $47,840 | $23.00 | $38,759 | $3,230 |
| 75th percentile | $59,380 | $28.55 | $47,433 | $3,953 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $60,810 | $29.24 | $48,508 | $4,042 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Georgia resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $47,840 buys in Atlanta, GA
Prices in Atlanta, GA are 0.1% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.11× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median refuse and recyclable material collector's $38,759 take-home pay has the buying power of $38,737 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Refuse and Recyclable Material Collector jobs are about as common in Atlanta, GA as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 1.08).
Best-paying cities for refuse and recyclable material collectors, adjusted for cost of living
Atlanta, GA ranks #6 of 8 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chicago, IL | $77,470 | $59,640 | $57,571 |
| 2 | Philadelphia, PA | $59,730 | $48,339 | $47,136 |
| 3 | New York, NY | $65,310 | $51,727 | $45,954 |
| 4 | Los Angeles, CA | $62,490 | $49,779 | $43,833 |
| 5 | Dallas, TX | $47,960 | $40,716 | $39,495 |
| 6 | Atlanta, GA | $47,840 | $38,759 | $38,737 |
| 7 | Miami, FL | $49,770 | $42,170 | $36,941 |
| 8 | Washington, DC | $46,530 | $37,941 | $34,845 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 8 metros →
About the job: refuse and recyclable material collectors
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)
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a refuse and recyclable material collector make in Atlanta, GA?
The median refuse and recyclable material collector salary in the Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA metro area is $47,840 a year, or about $23.00 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $37,340 and $59,380.
What is a refuse and recyclable material collector’s take-home pay in Atlanta, GA?
On the median $47,840 salary, a single filer living in Georgia takes home about $38,759 a year ($3,230 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,860 in Georgia taxes in 2026.
Is Atlanta, GA a good place to work as a refuse and recyclable material collector?
Pay here is 4% below the national median of $49,690. Local prices are 0.1% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $38,737 would in a typical U.S. city. Atlanta, GA ranks #6 of 8 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a refuse and recyclable material collector afford rent in Atlanta, GA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Atlanta, GA is $1,646 a month ($1,806 for two bedrooms) — 51% of a median refuse and recyclable material collector’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
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