Refuse and Recyclable Material Collector Salary in Washington, DC
Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area earn a median $46,530 a year — 6% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $37,941 take-home, or $3,162 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median refuse and recyclable material collector salary in Washington, DC. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$3,404
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,885
- Medicare (1.45%)$675
- District of Columbia income tax$1,626
- Take-home pay$37,941
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 6.00% state
The Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro spans District of Columbia, Virginia, Maryland, West Virginia. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Refuse and Recyclable Material Collector pay by experience in Washington, DC
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,430 | $18.00 | $31,175 | $2,598 |
| 25th percentile | $41,080 | $19.75 | $33,889 | $2,824 |
| Median (50th) | $46,530 | $22.37 | $37,941 | $3,162 |
| 75th percentile | $59,420 | $28.57 | $47,508 | $3,959 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $68,650 | $33.00 | $54,110 | $4,509 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, District of Columbia resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $46,530 buys in Washington, DC
Prices in Washington, DC are 8.9% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.51× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median refuse and recyclable material collector's $37,941 take-home pay has the buying power of $34,845 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 Washington, DC as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 1.05).
Best-paying cities for refuse and recyclable material collectors, adjusted for cost of living
Washington, DC ranks #8 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 Washington, DC?
The median refuse and recyclable material collector salary in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area is $46,530 a year, or about $22.37 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $41,080 and $59,420.
What is a refuse and recyclable material collector’s take-home pay in Washington, DC?
On the median $46,530 salary, a single filer living in District of Columbia takes home about $37,941 a year ($3,162 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,626 in District of Columbia taxes in 2026.
Is Washington, DC a good place to work as a refuse and recyclable material collector?
Pay here is 6% below the national median of $49,690. Local prices are 8.9% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $34,845 would in a typical U.S. city. Washington, DC ranks #8 of 8 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a refuse and recyclable material collector afford rent in Washington, DC?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Washington, DC is $1,990 a month ($2,223 for two bedrooms) — 63% 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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