Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors pay in Tennessee

In Tennessee, the median pay for refuse and recyclable material collectors is $20.80 an hour ($43,270 a year). About 2,550 people work in this job there.

$20.80Median hourly pay

$35,410–$57,330Middle half of workers, yearly

2,550People in this job in Tennessee

That is 13% lower than the U.S. median ($49,690). Tennessee ranks 41st of 51 states and territories for this job’s median pay.

Pay range for refuse and recyclable material collectors in Tennessee

Earns more than	Hourly	Yearly
10% of workers	$13.65	$28,390
25% of workers	$17.03	$35,410
Half of workers (median)	$20.80	$43,270
75% of workers	$27.56	$57,330
90% of workers	$29.52	$61,400

Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors pay in Tennessee metro areas

Metro area	Median yearly pay	People in this job
Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin	$57,650	520
Knoxville	$51,030	350
Jackson	$50,050	100
Clarksville	$49,670	70
Memphis	$44,470	890
Kingsport-Bristol	$44,450	90
Morristown	$38,020	100
Cleveland	$37,540	40
Chattanooga	$36,090	80
Johnson City	$28,880	60

Tennessee unemployment rate: 3.4% (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 Tennessee

Job	Median yearly pay
Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand	$38,160
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers	$58,620
Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators	$42,100
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators	$52,000
Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment	$34,950
Conveyor Operators and Tenders	$38,260
Hazardous Materials Removal Workers	$60,090
Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaners	$39,480

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.