Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors pay in North Carolina

In North Carolina, the median pay for refuse and recyclable material collectors is $21.48 an hour ($44,670 a year). About 7,250 people work in this job there.

$21.48Median hourly pay
$34,650–$49,030Middle half of workers, yearly
7,250People in this job in North Carolina

That is 10% lower than the U.S. median ($49,690). North Carolina ranks 39th of 51 states and territories for this job’s median pay.

Pay range for refuse and recyclable material collectors in North Carolina

Earns more thanHourlyYearly
10% of workers$12.09$25,140
25% of workers$16.66$34,650
Half of workers (median)$21.48$44,670
75% of workers$23.57$49,030
90% of workers$28.16$58,570

Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors pay in North Carolina metro areas

Metro areaMedian yearly payPeople in this job
Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia$49,4701,840
Greenville$47,83080
Fayetteville$47,220180
Raleigh-Cary$47,170820
Durham-Chapel Hill$46,160230
Asheville$45,520220
Wilmington$45,270260
Winston-Salem$44,670420
Greensboro-High Point$43,160440
Burlington$41,030100
Pinehurst-Southern Pines$37,16070
Jacksonville$37,02050
Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton$36,960210
Rocky Mount$26,580150

North Carolina unemployment rate: 3.5% (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 North Carolina

JobMedian yearly pay
Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand$38,230
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers$51,530
Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators$43,420
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators$49,310
Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment$33,470
Hazardous Materials Removal Workers$43,180
Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaners$47,280
Conveyor Operators and Tenders$39,160

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.