Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors Salary — US State Breakdown (2025)
BLS OES May 2025 · SOC 53-7081As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Links below are affiliate links.
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). 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. Heading for a US interview? Interview prep guides cover the standard question frameworks.
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 |
Career Essentials
Role-specific interview prep for this occupation.
Check Price →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 |
Recommended Gear & Prep
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Data: BLS OES, May 2025 · ONS ASHE Table 14/15, 2025 provisional · Page built 2026-07-18