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Recyclable materials collector salary
Average recyclable materials collector salary
$14
Understanding the Salary of Recyclable Materials Collectors
The average salary of a Recyclable Materials Collector stands at approximately $29,114 annually or about $14 per hour. This salary can vary significantly based on several factors including geographic location, experience level, and the specific employer. For instance, collectors in urban areas often earn more due to higher demand and cost of living.
Salary by Experience
Entry-level positions typically start lower, while those with more experience can see salaries increase significantly. Collectors with several years in the field may command higher wages, reflecting their expertise and efficiency in operations.
State Variations
Salaries also differ by state. For example, states with strong recycling programs and higher demand for waste management services tend to offer better pay. Understanding these variations can help individuals make informed career choices and seek positions that align with their financial goals.
Job Opportunities and Growth
The job market for recyclable materials collectors remains stable, with opportunities for advancement into supervisory or management roles. As recycling initiatives expand, the demand for skilled collectors is expected to grow, making this a promising career path for those interested in environmental conservation.
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Where can a Recyclable Materials Collector earn more?
Recyclable materials collector salaries by experience level
| Experience level | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|
| Entry-level recyclable materials collector | $21,400 | $10.28 |
| Mid-level recyclable materials collector | $26,900 | $12.93 |
| Senior-level recyclable materials collector | $33,200 | $15.98 |
Average recyclable materials collector salary by state
The highest-paying states for recyclable materials collectors are Alaska, Washington, and Oregon. The lowest average recyclable materials collector salary states are South Dakota, North Carolina, and South Carolina.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for recyclable materials collectors
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington | $39,754 | $19.11 |
| 2 | Utah | $34,584 | $16.63 |
| 3 | California | $37,098 | $17.84 |
| 4 | Alaska | $43,524 | $20.93 |
| 5 | Massachusetts | $36,158 | $17.38 |
| 6 | North Dakota | $34,303 | $16.49 |
| 7 | Oregon | $37,349 | $17.96 |
| 8 | Nevada | $32,680 | $15.71 |
| 9 | Colorado | $33,012 | $15.87 |
| 10 | Arizona | $30,392 | $14.61 |
| 11 | Wyoming | $36,814 | $17.70 |
| 12 | New Hampshire | $30,187 | $14.51 |
| 13 | Vermont | $36,374 | $17.49 |
| 14 | Minnesota | $36,017 | $17.32 |
| 15 | West Virginia | $30,406 | $14.62 |
| 16 | Wisconsin | $31,378 | $15.09 |
| 17 | Texas | $28,250 | $13.58 |
| 18 | New Mexico | $30,350 | $14.59 |
| 19 | Michigan | $28,435 | $13.67 |
| 20 | Connecticut | $29,371 | $14.12 |
| 21 | New York | $30,399 | $14.61 |
| 22 | Idaho | $31,458 | $15.12 |
| 23 | Maine | $28,677 | $13.79 |
| 24 | Ohio | $27,640 | $13.29 |
| 25 | Indiana | $26,904 | $12.93 |
| 26 | Illinois | $29,660 | $14.26 |
| 27 | Pennsylvania | $27,036 | $13.00 |
| 28 | Delaware | $27,941 | $13.43 |
| 29 | Oklahoma | $25,843 | $12.42 |
| 30 | Alabama | $24,173 | $11.62 |
| 31 | Florida | $24,781 | $11.91 |
| 32 | Kansas | $25,843 | $12.42 |
| 33 | Arkansas | $26,768 | $12.87 |
| 34 | New Jersey | $28,055 | $13.49 |
| 35 | Rhode Island | $24,612 | $11.83 |
| 36 | Iowa | $26,012 | $12.51 |
| 37 | Missouri | $26,379 | $12.68 |
| 38 | Kentucky | $23,730 | $11.41 |
| 39 | Montana | $24,867 | $11.96 |
| 40 | Virginia | $24,398 | $11.73 |
| 41 | Mississippi | $22,821 | $10.97 |
| 42 | North Carolina | $20,417 | $9.82 |
| 43 | Nebraska | $24,361 | $11.71 |
| 44 | South Carolina | $20,224 | $9.72 |
| 45 | Hawaii | $26,660 | $12.82 |
| 46 | Louisiana | $23,786 | $11.44 |
| 47 | Georgia | $19,465 | $9.36 |
| 48 | Tennessee | $17,965 | $8.64 |
| 49 | Maryland | $18,622 | $8.95 |
| 50 | South Dakota | $22,591 | $10.86 |
| 51 | District of Columbia | $22,629 | $10.88 |
Highest paying cities for recyclable materials collectors
The highest-paying cities for recyclable materials collectors are Nantucket, MA, Ault, CO, and Houston, TX.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nantucket, MA | $35,878 | $17.25 |
| 2 | Ault, CO | $33,045 | $15.89 |
| 3 | Houston, TX | $27,725 | $13.33 |
| 4 | Tulsa, OK | $25,662 | $12.34 |
| 5 | Lincoln, NE | $24,284 | $11.68 |
| 6 | Norcross, GA | $19,535 | $9.39 |
Recyclable materials collector salary details
A recyclable materials collector's salary ranges from $21,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $39,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is a recyclable materials collector's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $39,000 | $3,250 | $19 |
| 75th Percentile | $34,000 | $2,833 | $16 |
| Average | $29,114 | $2,426 | $14 |
| 25th Percentile | $24,000 | $2,000 | $12 |
| 10th Percentile | $21,000 | $1,750 | $10 |
Highest paying recyclable materials collector jobs
The highest paying types of recyclable materials collectors are commercial front load driver, residential recycle driver, and driver/refuse collector.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trash Collector | $29,503 | $2,459 | $14.18 | 3,364 |
Top companies hiring recyclable materials collectors now:
Which companies pay recyclable materials collectors the most?
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Nebraska System | $33,927 | $16.31 |
| 2 | IH Services | $29,575 | $14.22 |
| 3 | PeopleReady | $26,411 | $12.70 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Recyclable materials collector salary trends
The average recyclable materials collector salary has risen by $5,078 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average recyclable materials collector earned $24,036 annually, but today, they earn $29,114 a year. That works out to a 11% change in pay for recyclable materials collectors over the last decade.
Compare recyclable materials collector salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average recyclable materials collector salary over time
Compare recyclable materials collector salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Recyclable materials collector salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $29,100 | $14.00 | +3.2% |
| 2024 | $28,200 | $13.55 | +1.5% |
| 2023 | $27,700 | $13.34 | +3.0% |
| 2022 | $26,900 | $12.94 | +2.5% |
| 2021 | $26,300 | $12.63 | +4.2% |
Recently added recyclable materials collector salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Allegiance Industries | Recycling Collector | Graniteville, SC | 03/22/2025 | $27,131 |
| Allegiance Industries | Recycling Collector | Graniteville, SC | 02/20/2025 | $27,131 |
| Peopleready | Refuse and Recyclable Material Collector | Clarksville, TN | 10/22/2024 | $30,783 |
| Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma | Recycling Collector | Durant, OK | 08/15/2023 | $33,288 |
Recyclable materials collector salary FAQs
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