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Recycler salary
Average recycler salary
$14.44
Understanding Recycler Salaries
As of October 2025, the average annual salary for recyclers in the United States is about $30,026, or roughly $14 per hour. Salary can vary significantly based on factors such as experience level, location, and specific industry.
Salary by Experience Level
Entry-level recyclers often start at lower salary ranges, while those with several years of experience can expect higher pay. For instance, recyclers with advanced skills or certifications may earn upwards of $40,000 annually.
Top-Paying States for Recyclers
Regions with higher costs of living typically offer better compensation. States like California and New York are known for offering competitive salaries to recyclers. Understanding regional salary trends can guide job seekers in their career paths.
Job Opportunities
Recyclers can find job openings across various sectors, including waste management, manufacturing, and environmental services. Keeping an eye on industry developments can provide valuable insights for career advancement.
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Where can a Recycler earn more?
Recycler salaries by experience level
| Experience level | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|
| Entry-level recycler | $21,300 | $10.26 |
| Mid-level recycler | $23,600 | $11.33 |
| Senior-level recycler | $35,500 | $17.08 |
Recycler salary estimates from across the web
Average recycler salary by state
The average recycler salary in Maine, Massachusetts, and Ohio are the highest in the U.S. The lowest average recycler salary states are Tennessee, Oklahoma, and Florida.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for recyclers
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | West Virginia | $32,200 | $15.48 |
| 2 | Ohio | $33,841 | $16.27 |
| 3 | Michigan | $33,459 | $16.09 |
| 4 | Iowa | $31,425 | $15.11 |
| 5 | Wisconsin | $33,060 | $15.89 |
| 6 | Vermont | $33,182 | $15.95 |
| 7 | North Dakota | $33,174 | $15.95 |
| 8 | Rhode Island | $33,092 | $15.91 |
| 9 | Illinois | $32,075 | $15.42 |
| 10 | Nebraska | $32,465 | $15.61 |
| 11 | Kentucky | $29,999 | $14.42 |
| 12 | Maine | $34,482 | $16.58 |
| 13 | New Jersey | $33,461 | $16.09 |
| 14 | Delaware | $31,892 | $15.33 |
| 15 | Nevada | $30,185 | $14.51 |
| 16 | South Dakota | $31,160 | $14.98 |
| 17 | Idaho | $30,708 | $14.76 |
| 18 | Pennsylvania | $30,062 | $14.45 |
| 19 | Indiana | $30,244 | $14.54 |
| 20 | Massachusetts | $34,201 | $16.44 |
| 21 | New Hampshire | $33,181 | $15.95 |
| 22 | Montana | $30,395 | $14.61 |
| 23 | Connecticut | $33,029 | $15.88 |
| 24 | Minnesota | $30,291 | $14.56 |
| 25 | Colorado | $31,214 | $15.01 |
| 26 | Missouri | $30,113 | $14.48 |
| 27 | Utah | $30,095 | $14.47 |
| 28 | Washington | $30,804 | $14.81 |
| 29 | Mississippi | $29,609 | $14.24 |
| 30 | Arizona | $29,830 | $14.34 |
| 31 | Virginia | $30,096 | $14.47 |
| 32 | Maryland | $32,140 | $15.45 |
| 33 | California | $31,227 | $15.01 |
| 34 | Kansas | $28,864 | $13.88 |
| 35 | New Mexico | $27,736 | $13.33 |
| 36 | New York | $30,814 | $14.81 |
| 37 | Oregon | $27,655 | $13.30 |
| 38 | South Carolina | $26,832 | $12.90 |
| 39 | Hawaii | $33,505 | $16.11 |
| 40 | District of Columbia | $30,663 | $14.74 |
| 41 | Tennessee | $25,551 | $12.28 |
| 42 | Arkansas | $26,448 | $12.72 |
| 43 | Wyoming | $26,531 | $12.76 |
| 44 | Alaska | $26,499 | $12.74 |
| 45 | Georgia | $24,830 | $11.94 |
| 46 | Louisiana | $26,510 | $12.75 |
| 47 | Texas | $26,710 | $12.84 |
| 48 | Florida | $24,842 | $11.94 |
| 49 | North Carolina | $24,606 | $11.83 |
| 50 | Oklahoma | $25,081 | $12.06 |
| 51 | Alabama | $23,758 | $11.42 |
Highest paying cities for recyclers
The highest-paying cities for recyclers are Cleveland, OH, Piscataway, NJ, and Windsor, CT.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cleveland, OH | $35,830 | $17.23 |
| 2 | Piscataway, NJ | $33,480 | $16.10 |
| 3 | Windsor, CT | $33,119 | $15.92 |
| 4 | Bolingbrook, IL | $32,004 | $15.39 |
| 5 | Los Angeles, CA | $30,953 | $14.88 |
| 6 | Sparks, NV | $30,719 | $14.77 |
| 7 | Saint Peters, MO | $30,134 | $14.49 |
| 8 | Portland, OR | $27,567 | $13.25 |
| 9 | Smyrna, TN | $25,592 | $12.30 |
| 10 | Oklahoma City, OK | $25,058 | $12.05 |
| 11 | Lakeland, FL | $24,831 | $11.94 |
| 12 | Newnan, GA | $24,767 | $11.91 |
| 13 | Charlotte, NC | $24,301 | $11.68 |
| 14 | Bessemer, AL | $23,815 | $11.45 |
Recycler salary details
A recycler's salary ranges from $21,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $42,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is a recycler's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $42,000 | $3,500 | $20 |
| 75th Percentile | $36,000 | $3,000 | $17 |
| Average | $30,026 | $2,502 | $14 |
| 25th Percentile | $24,000 | $2,000 | $12 |
| 10th Percentile | $21,000 | $1,750 | $10 |
Highest paying recycler jobs
The highest paying types of recyclers are computer recycling worker, waste management recycling technician, and household hazardous waste recycling worker.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Factory Worker | $29,343 | $2,445 | $14.11 | 106,768 |
Top companies hiring recyclers now:
Which companies pay recyclers the most?
Recycler salaries at Bob's Discount Furniture and Kelly Services are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average recycler salary at companies like Aerotek and Adecco are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bob's Discount Furniture | $33,013 | $15.87 |
| 2 | Kelly Services | $31,413 | $15.10 |
| 3 | Aerotek | $31,289 | $15.04 |
| 4 | Adecco | $30,931 | $14.87 |
| 5 | ManpowerGroup | $30,884 | $14.85 |
| 6 | Rooms To Go | $30,286 | $14.56 |
| 7 | Randstad North America, Inc. | $29,087 | $13.98 |
| 8 | ABM Industries | $28,409 | $13.66 |
| 9 | Kimco Facility Services | $28,375 | $13.64 |
| 10 | Kellermeyer Bergensons Services | $28,355 | $13.63 |
| 11 | IH Services | $28,347 | $13.63 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Recycler salary by industry
The average recycler salary varies across industries:
- The average recycler salary in the utilities industry is $31,088, the highest of any industry.
- The average recycler salary in the finance industry is $30,310.
- Recyclers in the telecommunication industry earn an average salary of $28,278, the lowest of any industry.
Highest paying industries for recyclers
| Rank | Industry | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Utilities | $31,088 | $14.95 |
| 2 | Government | $30,310 | $14.57 |
| 3 | Manufacturing | $28,823 | $13.86 |
| 4 | Telecommunication | $28,278 | $13.60 |
High paying recycler jobs
Recycler salary trends
The average recycler salary has risen by $4,489 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average recycler earned $25,537 annually, but today, they earn $30,026 a year. That works out to a 9% change in pay for recyclers over the last decade.
Compare recycler salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average recycler salary over time
Compare recycler salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Recycler salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $30,000 | $14.44 | +5.2% |
| 2024 | $28,500 | $13.69 | -1.2% |
| 2023 | $28,800 | $13.86 | +4.2% |
| 2022 | $27,600 | $13.27 | +0.4% |
| 2021 | $27,500 | $13.22 | +2.9% |
Recently added recycler salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cabot Corporation | Recycler | Tuscola, IL | 06/26/2025 | $37,566 |
| ABM Industries | Recycler | Shippensburg, PA | 06/24/2025 | $38,610 |
| Xanterra Parks & Resorts | Recycler-Yellowstone National Park | Parkman, WY | 06/18/2025 | $37,044 |
| Xanterra Parks & Resorts | Recycler-Yellowstone National Park | Parkman, WY | 05/23/2025 | $37,044 |
| Chase Staffing Formerly Chase Professionals | Recycling LTO | White, GA | 05/22/2025 | $37,566 |
| ABM | Recycler | Shippensburg, PA | 05/21/2025 | $38,610 |
| Xanterra Parks & Resorts | Recycler-Mount Rushmore | Keystone, SD | 05/15/2025 | $29,635 |
| ABM Industries | BHD Recycler | Olive Branch, MS | 04/28/2025 | $31,305 |
| ABM | Recycler | Austin, TX | 04/23/2025 | $33,392 |
| Chase Staffing Formerly Chase Professionals | Recycling LTO | Atlanta, GA | 04/11/2025 | $37,566 |
Recycler salary FAQs
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