Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors pay in the United States

In the U.S., the median pay for refuse and recyclable material collectors is $23.89 an hour ($49,690 a year). About 147,240 people work in this job there.

$23.89Median hourly pay
$39,080–$62,020Middle half of workers, yearly
147,240People in this job in the U.S.

Pay range for refuse and recyclable material collectors in the U.S.

Earns more thanHourlyYearly
10% of workers$16.15$33,590
25% of workers$18.79$39,080
Half of workers (median)$23.89$49,690
75% of workers$29.82$62,020
90% of workers$36.49$75,900

Best-paying states for refuse and recyclable material collectors

StateMedian yearly payPeople in this job
Illinois$75,0504,910
Washington$74,6203,750
New York$64,95011,630
California$64,89013,930
Oregon$63,2102,500
Minnesota$62,5702,500
Nevada$61,310770
Delaware$61,290600
Colorado$60,3103,700
Wisconsin$59,8101,550

Pay by state

Education, experience and outlook for refuse and recyclable material collectors

  • Typical education to start: No formal educational credential (BLS)
  • Related work experience most have: 1 to 2 years (O*NET)
  • Training on the job: Short-term on-the-job training (BLS)
  • Job outlook: +2.1% over ten years, about as fast as average · about 15,500 openings a year (BLS)

Related jobs in the U.S.

JobMedian yearly pay
Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand$40,240
Stockers and Order Fillers$37,330
Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators$46,420
Packers and Packagers, Hand$36,280
Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment$35,830
Crane and Tower Operators$68,080
Machine Feeders and Offbearers$41,220
Material Moving Workers, All Other$41,800

Other job titles for this job

Sanitation EngineerSwamperThrowerDisposal ManDisposal WorkerFront Load Trash Truck DriverFront Loader Residential DriverGarbage Collection Sanitation EngineerGarbage CollectorGarbage ManGarbage PersonGarbage Pick Up Man

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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates. Figures are for wage and salary workers and do not include the self-employed. The median is the middle wage: half earn more, half earn less. Other job titles: O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license; O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. JAI Bot has modified this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.