Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors pay in Illinois

In Illinois, the median pay for refuse and recyclable material collectors is $36.08 an hour ($75,050 a year). About 4,910 people work in this job there.

$36.08Median hourly pay
$58,750–$84,300Middle half of workers, yearly
4,910People in this job in Illinois

That is 51% higher than the U.S. median ($49,690). Illinois ranks 1st of 51 states and territories for this job’s median pay.

Pay range for refuse and recyclable material collectors in Illinois

Earns more thanHourlyYearly
10% of workers$18.65$38,790
25% of workers$28.25$58,750
Half of workers (median)$36.08$75,050
75% of workers$40.53$84,300
90% of workers$42.61$88,640

Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors pay in Illinois metro areas

Metro areaMedian yearly payPeople in this job
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin$77,4703,330
Springfield$60,57080
Peoria$59,07060
Champaign-Urbana$40,65040

Illinois unemployment rate: 4.7% (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 Illinois

JobMedian yearly pay
Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand$40,550
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers$60,320
Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators$47,720
Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment$35,930
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators$97,740
Hazardous Materials Removal Workers$61,330
Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaners$53,190
Stockers and Order Fillers$37,680

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.