Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors pay in Iowa

In Iowa, the median pay for refuse and recyclable material collectors is $23.97 an hour ($49,850 a year). About 1,780 people work in this job there.

$23.97Median hourly pay
$46,190–$58,050Middle half of workers, yearly
1,780People in this job in Iowa

That is about the same as the U.S. median ($49,690). Iowa ranks 23rd of 51 states and territories for this job’s median pay.

Pay range for refuse and recyclable material collectors in Iowa

Earns more thanHourlyYearly
10% of workers$18.38$38,220
25% of workers$22.21$46,190
Half of workers (median)$23.97$49,850
75% of workers$27.91$58,050
90% of workers$30.46$63,350

Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors pay in Iowa metro areas

Metro areaMedian yearly payPeople in this job
Davenport-Moline-Rock Island$75,440750
Des Moines-West Des Moines$56,990440
Iowa City$56,81060
Cedar Rapids$50,820140
Waterloo-Cedar Falls$50,770140
Sioux City$47,83070
Ames$47,81090

Iowa unemployment rate: 3.2% (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 Iowa

JobMedian yearly pay
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers$58,070
Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand$43,490
Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators$47,590
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators$60,330
Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment$35,920
Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaners$57,980
Conveyor Operators and Tenders$56,900
Stockers and Order Fillers$36,640

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.