Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors pay in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria

In Washington-Arlington-Alexandria (DC), the median pay for refuse and recyclable material collectors is $22.37 an hour ($46,530 a year). About 3,100 people work in this job there.

$22.37Median hourly pay
$41,080–$59,420Middle half of workers, yearly
3,100People in this job in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria (DC)

That is 6% lower than the U.S. median ($49,690). It is 16% lower than the District of Columbia median ($55,490).

Pay range for refuse and recyclable material collectors in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria (DC)

Earns more thanHourlyYearly
10% of workers$17.99$37,430
25% of workers$19.75$41,080
Half of workers (median)$22.37$46,530
75% of workers$28.57$59,420
90% of workers$33.01$68,650

Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors pay in District of Columbia metro areas

Metro areaMedian yearly payPeople in this job
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria (this page)$46,5303,100

District of Columbia unemployment rate: 5.7% (August 2026), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

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 Washington-Arlington-Alexandria (DC)

JobMedian yearly pay
Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand$42,590
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers$59,820
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators$61,660
Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators$49,710
Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment$36,730
Stockers and Order Fillers$37,870
Packers and Packagers, Hand$37,730

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

Open refuse and recyclable material collectors jobs on JAI Bot

No open jobs in this field right now. Search all jobs or set up a free job alert.

Hiring refuse and recyclable material collectors? Use the free hiring guide for a job description and interview questions, then post the job on JAI Bot. Every job shows typical pay to job seekers.

Post a job freeFind jobsCheck pay for any job
Add this pay figure to your website (free)

Career sites, schools and workforce boards can show this typical pay on their own pages. Copy this code into your page:

<div data-jaibot-pay></div>
<script src="https://www.jaibot.ai/widget/pay/refuse-and-recyclable-material-collectors/district-of-columbia/washington-arlington-alexandria.js" async></script>

It updates by itself when new government figures come out.

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.