Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors Salary by State
The national median pay for refuse and recyclable material collectors is $49,690 a year. By state, it ranges from $32,950 in South Dakota to $75,050 in Illinois.
Updated October 2026 · Data: BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
U.S. pay range
- Lowest 10%
- $33,590
- 25th percentile
- $39,080
- Median
- $49,690
- 75th percentile
- $62,020
- Top 10%
- $75,900
Annual pay, all U.S. workers in this job. About 147,240 jobs.
Median pay in 50 states and DC
| # | State | Median | vs. U.S. | Lowest 10% | Top 10% | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Illinois | $75,050 | +51% | $38,790 | $88,640 | 4,910 |
| 2 | Washington | $74,620 | +50% | $54,070 | $88,990 | 3,750 |
| 3 | New York | $64,950 | +31% | $42,740 | $86,720 | 11,630 |
| 4 | California | $64,890 | +31% | $45,970 | $90,370 | 13,930 |
| 5 | Oregon | $63,210 | +27% | $53,270 | $72,440 | 2,500 |
| 6 | Minnesota | $62,570 | +26% | $47,260 | $71,450 | 2,500 |
| 7 | Nevada | $61,310 | +23% | $48,030 | $81,950 | 770 |
| 8 | Delaware | $61,290 | +23% | $38,700 | $74,590 | 600 |
| 9 | Colorado | $60,310 | +21% | $39,580 | $75,330 | 3,700 |
| 10 | Wisconsin | $59,810 | +20% | $33,360 | $64,200 | 1,550 |
| 11 | Utah | $59,310 | +19% | $42,990 | $72,930 | 960 |
| 12 | North Dakota | $59,000 | +19% | $41,690 | $71,330 | 360 |
| 13 | Indiana | $58,900 | +19% | $36,000 | $64,680 | 3,180 |
| 14 | Hawaii | $56,270 | +13% | $30,760 | $65,740 | 770 |
| 15 | Rhode Island | $55,970 | +13% | $34,810 | $61,370 | 470 |
| 16 | District of Columbia | $55,490 | +12% | $39,810 | $76,020 | 540 |
| 17 | New Jersey | $54,630 | +10% | $37,590 | $71,230 | 4,330 |
| 18 | Vermont | $51,960 | +5% | $41,240 | $63,070 | 160 |
| 19 | Michigan | $51,030 | +3% | $34,150 | $76,360 | 4,020 |
| 20 | Massachusetts | $50,310 | +1% | $39,180 | $73,090 | 1,010 |
| 21 | Missouri | $50,010 | +1% | $31,760 | $71,270 | 1,930 |
| 22 | Idaho | $49,880 | 0% | $38,210 | $58,030 | 730 |
| 23 | Iowa | $49,850 | 0% | $38,220 | $63,350 | 1,780 |
| 24 | Montana | $49,420 | −1% | $37,080 | $60,730 | 370 |
| 25 | Nebraska | $49,390 | −1% | $37,210 | $59,400 | 910 |
| 26 | Ohio | $49,330 | −1% | $35,840 | $62,450 | 4,710 |
| 27 | Wyoming | $48,820 | −2% | $33,770 | $58,800 | 280 |
| 28 | Pennsylvania | $48,240 | −3% | $31,200 | $66,660 | 6,220 |
| 29 | Florida | $47,820 | −4% | $35,350 | $61,450 | 11,650 |
| 30 | New Mexico | $47,660 | −4% | $34,870 | $61,040 | 1,070 |
| 31 | Georgia | $46,960 | −5% | $31,680 | $60,330 | 4,830 |
| 32 | Arizona | $46,910 | −6% | $33,480 | $73,610 | 2,380 |
| 33 | New Hampshire | $46,580 | −6% | $37,920 | $59,810 | 340 |
| 34 | Virginia | $46,530 | −6% | $28,120 | $61,040 | 4,330 |
| 35 | Texas | $46,330 | −7% | $30,830 | $59,380 | 12,860 |
| 36 | Alabama | $46,240 | −7% | $29,500 | $61,000 | 2,790 |
| 37 | Alaska | $45,740 | −8% | $31,620 | $80,310 | 250 |
| 38 | Kansas | $45,510 | −8% | $29,100 | $57,090 | 910 |
| 39 | North Carolina | $44,670 | −10% | $25,140 | $58,570 | 7,250 |
| 40 | Maine | $43,360 | −13% | $34,590 | $61,950 | 770 |
| 41 | Tennessee | $43,270 | −13% | $28,390 | $61,400 | 2,550 |
| 42 | Kentucky | $43,100 | −13% | $29,610 | $56,170 | 1,580 |
| 43 | Oklahoma | $43,060 | −13% | $31,030 | $59,590 | 2,030 |
| 44 | Maryland | $41,870 | −16% | $35,900 | $61,210 | 3,120 |
| 45 | Mississippi | $39,170 | −21% | $29,420 | $58,340 | 1,970 |
| 46 | Louisiana | $38,810 | −22% | $27,840 | $59,010 | 2,200 |
| 47 | Connecticut | $38,220 | −23% | $34,980 | $62,330 | 810 |
| 48 | West Virginia | $35,840 | −28% | $26,520 | $47,960 | 1,000 |
| 49 | Arkansas | $35,640 | −28% | $26,590 | $51,570 | 1,600 |
| 50 | South Carolina | $34,880 | −30% | $22,340 | $50,600 | 2,020 |
| 51 | South Dakota | $32,950 | −34% | $27,380 | $47,700 | 340 |
BLS OEWS May 2025 state estimates. States without published data are not listed. “Not published”: BLS withheld the value or it is above the highest amount BLS publishes. Pay is not adjusted for living costs.
Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors salary questions
Which state pays refuse and recyclable material collectors the most?
Illinois, with a median of $75,050 a year (+51% vs. the national median of $49,690). BLS May 2025.
Which state pays refuse and recyclable material collectors the least?
South Dakota, with a median of $32,950 a year (−34% vs. national).
Where do most refuse and recyclable material collectors work?
California has the most jobs, about 13,930, with a median of $64,890.
Does a higher salary mean more money left over?
Not always. These are pay figures only. Living costs, taxes and housing differ a lot between states, and this page does not adjust for them.