SOC 537081

Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors

Collect and dump refuse or recyclable materials from containers into truck. May drive truck.

National Median

$48,350

per year

National Salary Overview

Median Annual

$48,350

Entry Level (10th pct)

$31,810

Experienced (90th pct)

$75,200

Total Employed

139,180

Salary Distribution

Salary percentiles show the range from entry-level (10th) to top earners (90th)

Salary by Experience Level

Experience Level	Estimated Salary Range
Entry Level0-2 years experience	$31,810 - $38,330
Mid Career2-8 years experience	$38,330 - $61,010
Senior / Expert8+ years experience	$61,010 - $75,200

Highest Paying Locations for Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors

Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA

$77,300

+59.9% vs national

San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA

$76,760

+58.8% vs national

Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL

$74,240

+53.5% vs national

San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA

$72,380

+49.7% vs national

Washington

$71,440

+47.8% vs national

Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors Salary by Location

Compare salaries across 50 metropolitan areas

Metropolitan Area	Median Salary	Employed
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA	$77,300	2,210
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA	$76,760	960
Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL	$74,240	820
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA	$72,380	1,920
Washington	$71,440	3,890
Napa, CA	$70,690	100
Merced, CA	$66,690	N/A
Racine-Mount Pleasant, WI	$65,580	70
Reno, NV	$65,440	190
Nevada	$65,440	600
Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI	$64,880	1,330
New York	$64,550	11,240
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN	$64,530	3,560
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA	$64,050	950
New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ	$63,670	13,230
Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA	$63,560	1,260
San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA	$63,410	140
Yakima, WA	$63,300	60
Modesto, CA	$62,960	270
Kennewick-Richland, WA	$62,930	120
Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI	$62,830	560
Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA	$62,710	860
Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA	$62,040	320
Illinois	$61,880	4,940
Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO	$61,860	1,830
Balance of Nevada nonmetropolitan area	$61,830	90
Peoria, IL	$61,710	80
California	$61,650	13,240
Minnesota	$61,630	2,260
Amherst Town-Northampton, MA	$61,520	60
Mankato, MN	$61,500	60
Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA	$61,350	150
Vallejo, CA	$61,270	90
Oregon	$61,040	2,080
Las Vegas-Henderson-North Las Vegas, NV	$61,030	250
Barnstable Town, MA	$60,970	60
Eugene-Springfield, OR	$60,960	150
Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH	$60,940	650
Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA	$60,930	120
South Central Wisconsin nonmetropolitan area	$60,790	190
Duluth, MN-WI	$60,680	110
Colorado	$60,610	3,410
Southwest Minnesota nonmetropolitan area	$60,590	160
Janesville-Beloit, WI	$60,550	90
Northwest Colorado nonmetropolitan area	$60,530	210
Traverse City, MI	$60,510	230
Medford, OR	$60,440	100
Lansing-East Lansing, MI	$60,400	200
Wisconsin	$60,390	1,330
Walla Walla, WA	$60,330	30

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average salary for a Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors?

The national median annual salary for Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors is $48,350, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data. This means half of workers in this occupation earn more, and half earn less.

Where do Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectorss earn the most?

The highest-paying metro area for Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectorss is Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA, with a median salary of $77,300.

How much can an experienced Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors make?

Top-earning Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectorss (90th percentile) make $75,200 or more annually. This typically reflects workers with significant experience, specialized skills, or positions in high-paying regions.