Refuse and Recyclable Material Collector Salary in Miami, FL
Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors in the Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL metro area earn a median $49,770 a year — 0% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $42,170 take-home, or $3,514 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median refuse and recyclable material collector salary in Miami, FL. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$3,792
- Social Security (6.2%)$3,086
- Medicare (1.45%)$722
- Florida income tax$0
- Take-home pay$42,170
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 0.00% state
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Refuse and Recyclable Material Collector pay by experience in Miami, FL
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,350 | $17.00 | $30,584 | $2,549 |
| 25th percentile | $39,400 | $18.94 | $33,838 | $2,820 |
| Median (50th) | $49,770 | $23.93 | $42,170 | $3,514 |
| 75th percentile | $60,420 | $29.05 | $50,727 | $4,227 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $65,740 | $31.61 | $55,002 | $4,584 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Florida resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $49,770 buys in Miami, FL
Prices in Miami, FL are 14.2% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.56× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median refuse and recyclable material collector's $42,170 take-home pay has the buying power of $36,941 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Miami, FL has 1.3× the national concentration of refuse and recyclable material collector jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for refuse and recyclable material collectors, adjusted for cost of living
Miami, FL ranks #7 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 Miami, FL?
The median refuse and recyclable material collector salary in the Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL metro area is $49,770 a year, or about $23.93 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $39,400 and $60,420.
What is a refuse and recyclable material collector’s take-home pay in Miami, FL?
On the median $49,770 salary, a single filer living in Florida takes home about $42,170 a year ($3,514 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare in 2026.
Is Miami, FL a good place to work as a refuse and recyclable material collector?
Pay here is 0% above the national median of $49,690. Local prices are 14.2% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $36,941 would in a typical U.S. city. Miami, FL ranks #7 of 8 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a refuse and recyclable material collector afford rent in Miami, FL?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Miami, FL is $1,942 a month ($2,359 for two bedrooms) — 55% 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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