How much does a refuse and recyclable material collector make?
The median refuse and recyclable material collector in the United States earns $49,690 per year, about $23.89 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all refuse and recyclable material collectors earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 53-7081.
Refuse and recyclable material collector salary range
Pay for refuse and recyclable material collectors spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $33,590 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $75,900. The average (mean) wage of $52,820 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $33,590 | $16.15 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $39,080 | $18.79 | |
| Median (50th) | $49,690 | $23.89 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $62,020 | $29.82 | |
| 90th percentile | $75,900 | $36.49 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for refuse and recyclable material collectors (SOC 53-7081), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Refuse and recyclable material collector salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Refuse and recyclable material collectors earn the most in Illinois at $75,050 a year, and the least in South Dakota at $32,950. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois | $75,050 | 4,910 |
| Washington | $74,620 | 3,750 |
| New York | $64,950 | 11,630 |
| California | $64,890 | 13,930 |
| Oregon | $63,210 | 2,500 |
| Minnesota | $62,570 | 2,500 |
| Nevada | $61,310 | 770 |
| Delaware | $61,290 | 600 |
| Colorado | $60,310 | 3,700 |
| Wisconsin | $59,810 | 1,550 |
| Utah | $59,310 | 960 |
| North Dakota | $59,000 | 360 |
| Indiana | $58,900 | 3,180 |
| Hawaii | $56,270 | 770 |
| Rhode Island | $55,970 | 470 |
| District of Columbia | $55,490 | 540 |
| New Jersey | $54,630 | 4,330 |
| Vermont | $51,960 | 160 |
| Michigan | $51,030 | 4,020 |
| Massachusetts | $50,310 | 1,010 |
| Missouri | $50,010 | 1,930 |
| Idaho | $49,880 | 730 |
| Iowa | $49,850 | 1,780 |
| Montana | $49,420 | 370 |
| Nebraska | $49,390 | 910 |
| Ohio | $49,330 | 4,710 |
| Wyoming | $48,820 | 280 |
| Pennsylvania | $48,240 | 6,220 |
| Florida | $47,820 | 11,650 |
| New Mexico | $47,660 | 1,070 |
| Georgia | $46,960 | 4,830 |
| Arizona | $46,910 | 2,380 |
| New Hampshire | $46,580 | 340 |
| Virginia | $46,530 | 4,330 |
| Texas | $46,330 | 12,860 |
| Alabama | $46,240 | 2,790 |
| Alaska | $45,740 | 250 |
| Kansas | $45,510 | 910 |
| North Carolina | $44,670 | 7,250 |
| Maine | $43,360 | 770 |
| Tennessee | $43,270 | 2,550 |
| Kentucky | $43,100 | 1,580 |
| Oklahoma | $43,060 | 2,030 |
| Maryland | $41,870 | 3,120 |
| Mississippi | $39,170 | 1,970 |
| Louisiana | $38,810 | 2,200 |
| Connecticut | $38,220 | 810 |
| West Virginia | $35,840 | 1,000 |
| Arkansas | $35,640 | 1,600 |
| South Carolina | $34,880 | 2,020 |
| South Dakota | $32,950 | 340 |
State median wages for refuse and recyclable material collectors (SOC 53-7081), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for refuse and recyclable material collectors
The BLS projects employment of refuse and recyclable material collectors to grow 2.1% from 2025 to 2035. That is about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 156,400 jobs in 2025 moving toward 159,600 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 15,500 openings a year for refuse and recyclable material collectors. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a refuse and recyclable material collector
The typical entry-level education for refuse and recyclable material collectors is no formal educational credential, according to the BLS. New hires typically complete short-term on-the-job training to reach full competency.
A four-year college degree is usually not required to start, which makes this one of the jobs you can enter without a bachelor's degree. See more high paying jobs without a degree .
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a refuse and recyclable material collector earns
Route type, employer, endorsements, and hours behind the wheel drive pay. Long-haul, specialized freight, and union employers tend to sit at the top of the range, while local and entry-level roles start lower.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (Illinois, $75,050) and the lowest (South Dakota, $32,950) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 147,240 people work as refuse and recyclable material collectors in the United States. At $49,690 a year, the job pays below the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Refuse and recyclable material collector salary FAQ
How much does a refuse and recyclable material collector make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a refuse and recyclable material collector is $23.89. The middle half of refuse and recyclable material collectors earn between $18.79 and $29.82 per hour.
What is the highest refuse and recyclable material collector salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of refuse and recyclable material collectors earn more than $75,900 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a refuse and recyclable material collector make a year?
The median annual salary for a refuse and recyclable material collector is $49,690. The average (mean) wage of $52,820 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a refuse and recyclable material collector a well paid job?
At $49,690 a year, a refuse and recyclable material collector earns below the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 147,240 people work as refuse and recyclable material collectors in the United States.
Which state pays refuse and recyclable material collectors the most?
Illinois has the highest median salary for refuse and recyclable material collectors at $75,050 a year. Washington ($74,620) and New York ($64,950) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being a refuse and recyclable material collector a good career?
Employment of refuse and recyclable material collectors is projected to grow 2.1% from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 15,500 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a refuse and recyclable material collector?
No. The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for refuse and recyclable material collectors as no formal educational credential, so a four-year degree is usually not required to start.
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