Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors Salary — US State Breakdown (2025)
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US Salary Overview
The national median wage for refuse and recyclable material collectors in the United States is $49,690 per year, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025) — real government survey data, not an algorithmic salary estimate. Pay ranges from $33,590 at the 10th percentile to $75,900 at the 90th percentile. In the UK, the equivalent occupation (Refuse and salvage occupations) has a median of £27,576 — figures are shown in local currency and are not converted. Signing a US offer? Employment contract templates at LawDepot cover offer letters, NDAs and employment agreements.
US Salary Percentiles
| Percentile | Annual (gross) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $33,590 | Entry level / lowest decile |
| 25th | $39,080 | Early career |
| 50th (median) | $49,690 | Typical pay |
| 75th | $62,020 | Experienced |
| 90th | $75,900 | Senior / highest decile |
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Start $1 Trial →Median Salary by State
| State | Median salary | Mean salary | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Illinois | $75,050 | $68,310 | 5,000 |
| Washington | $74,620 | $71,690 | 4,000 |
| New York | $64,950 | $67,130 | 12,000 |
| California | $64,890 | $66,300 | 14,000 |
| Oregon | $63,210 | $62,930 | 2,000 |
| Minnesota | $62,570 | $59,790 | 2,000 |
| Nevada | $61,310 | $64,120 | 770 |
| Delaware | $61,290 | $58,000 | 600 |
| Colorado | $60,310 | $57,860 | 4,000 |
| Wisconsin | $59,810 | $55,090 | 2,000 |
| Utah | $59,310 | $56,420 | 960 |
| North Dakota | $59,000 | $56,220 | 360 |
| Indiana | $58,900 | $54,930 | 3,000 |
| Hawaii | $56,270 | $53,780 | 770 |
| Rhode Island | $55,970 | $53,190 | 470 |
| District of Columbia | $55,490 | $55,960 | 540 |
| New Jersey | $54,630 | $54,260 | 4,000 |
| Vermont | $51,960 | $54,110 | 160 |
| Michigan | $51,030 | $52,280 | 4,000 |
| Massachusetts | $50,310 | $54,230 | 1,000 |
| Missouri | $50,010 | $50,300 | 2,000 |
| Idaho | $49,880 | $51,350 | 730 |
| Iowa | $49,850 | $51,120 | 2,000 |
| Montana | $49,420 | $50,200 | 370 |
| Nebraska | $49,390 | $48,610 | 910 |
| Ohio | $49,330 | $49,990 | 5,000 |
| Wyoming | $48,820 | $47,170 | 280 |
| Pennsylvania | $48,240 | $49,400 | 6,000 |
| Florida | $47,820 | $48,960 | 12,000 |
| New Mexico | $47,660 | $46,940 | 1,000 |
| Georgia | $46,960 | $46,150 | 5,000 |
| Arizona | $46,910 | $48,500 | 2,000 |
| New Hampshire | $46,580 | $47,400 | 340 |
| Virginia | $46,530 | $46,100 | 4,000 |
| Texas | $46,330 | $44,700 | 13,000 |
| Alabama | $46,240 | $45,450 | 3,000 |
| Alaska | $45,740 | $51,900 | 250 |
| Kansas | $45,510 | $42,960 | 910 |
| North Carolina | $44,670 | $42,590 | 7,000 |
| Maine | $43,360 | $44,840 | 770 |
| Tennessee | $43,270 | $44,320 | 3,000 |
| Kentucky | $43,100 | $42,710 | 2,000 |
| Oklahoma | $43,060 | $43,520 | 2,000 |
| Maryland | $41,870 | $46,740 | 3,000 |
| Mississippi | $39,170 | $42,300 | 2,000 |
| Louisiana | $38,810 | $41,900 | 2,000 |
| Connecticut | $38,220 | $45,120 | 810 |
| West Virginia | $35,840 | $36,820 | 1,000 |
| Arkansas | $35,640 | $37,250 | 2,000 |
| South Carolina | $34,880 | $35,690 | 2,000 |
| South Dakota | $32,950 | $34,810 | 340 |
| Guam | $32,520 | $33,780 | 40 |
| Puerto Rico | $21,840 | $22,880 | 2,000 |
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How Does This Compare to the UK?
Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors is the US equivalent of refuse and salvage occupations in the UK, which has a national median of £27,576. Figures are shown in local currency, not converted — cost of living, tax systems and benefits packages differ enough between the two countries that a currency conversion alone would be misleading. See the full UK breakdown, or use our comparison tool to set this role against another job title side by side, with location and experience-level filters.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average salary for a refuse and recyclable material collectors in the US?
The US national median wage for refuse and recyclable material collectors is $49,690 per year (gross, before tax), based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
What is the pay range for refuse and recyclable material collectors in the US?
Pay ranges from $33,590 at the 10th percentile to $75,900 at the 90th percentile. This difference typically reflects experience level, employer size, and location.
Which US states pay refuse and recyclable material collectors the most?
The highest-paying states for refuse and recyclable material collectors include Illinois ($75,050), Washington ($74,620), New York ($64,950). Pay varies by state due to cost of living, local demand and industry concentration.
How much does refuse and recyclable material collectors salary vary by state?
The gap between the highest- and lowest-paying states is significant — Illinois ($75,050) pays roughly 244% more than Puerto Rico ($21,840). Check the state breakdown above for the exact figure in your location.
How does refuse and recyclable material collectors pay compare between the US and UK?
The UK equivalent role (Refuse and salvage occupations) has a national median of £27,576. Figures are shown in local currency rather than converted, since cost of living and tax systems differ enough between the two countries that a straight currency conversion would be misleading.
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Data: BLS OES, May 2025 · ONS ASHE Table 14/15, 2025 provisional · Page built 2026-09-02