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Recycling worker salary
Average recycling worker salary
$41,623
Understanding Recycling Worker Salaries
The average salary for a Recycling Worker is approximately $41,623 per year. This wage can vary significantly based on several factors, including experience level, geographic location, and the specific industry in which one is employed. For example, recycling workers in states like California and New York often earn higher wages due to the cost of living and demand for sustainable practices.
Entry-level positions typically offer lower salaries, averaging around $30,000 annually. However, as workers gain experience, their earnings can substantially increase, with senior roles reaching upwards of $50,000. Additionally, locations with a strong focus on sustainability and recycling initiatives tend to offer more competitive salaries.
For those seeking to enter the field, understanding these salary dynamics is essential for making informed career decisions. Researching local job openings and salary trends can provide valuable insights into potential earnings and help candidates negotiate better pay.
Top Paying States for Recycling Workers
States such as California, Washington, and New York consistently rank among the highest-paying for recycling workers, reflecting both the high demand for recycling services and the living costs in these areas.
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Where can a Recycling Worker earn more?
Recycling worker salaries by experience level
| Experience level | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|
| Entry-level recycling worker | $29,600 | $14.22 |
| Mid-level recycling worker | $32,700 | $15.70 |
| Senior-level recycling worker | $49,300 | $23.68 |
Recycling worker salary estimates from across the web
Average recycling worker salary by state
The average recycling worker salary in Alaska, New York, and Connecticut are the highest in the U.S. The lowest average recycling worker salary states are Montana, Alabama, and Idaho.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for recycling workers
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | West Virginia | $44,474 | $21.38 |
| 2 | Connecticut | $46,496 | $22.35 |
| 3 | Alaska | $52,680 | $25.33 |
| 4 | Delaware | $45,965 | $22.10 |
| 5 | Rhode Island | $45,616 | $21.93 |
| 6 | New Hampshire | $42,995 | $20.67 |
| 7 | New York | $47,844 | $23.00 |
| 8 | Virginia | $44,323 | $21.31 |
| 9 | Massachusetts | $44,523 | $21.41 |
| 10 | Nebraska | $39,002 | $18.75 |
| 11 | Maryland | $46,085 | $22.16 |
| 12 | Maine | $42,072 | $20.23 |
| 13 | Michigan | $41,968 | $20.18 |
| 14 | Ohio | $41,347 | $19.88 |
| 15 | California | $44,428 | $21.36 |
| 16 | Arizona | $43,489 | $20.91 |
| 17 | Mississippi | $41,480 | $19.94 |
| 18 | North Carolina | $39,296 | $18.89 |
| 19 | Pennsylvania | $42,546 | $20.45 |
| 20 | Louisiana | $38,880 | $18.69 |
| 21 | Wisconsin | $39,403 | $18.94 |
| 22 | New Jersey | $43,810 | $21.06 |
| 23 | Kentucky | $40,674 | $19.55 |
| 24 | District of Columbia | $44,187 | $21.24 |
| 25 | Texas | $39,697 | $19.09 |
| 26 | North Dakota | $38,630 | $18.57 |
| 27 | New Mexico | $38,774 | $18.64 |
| 28 | Missouri | $38,297 | $18.41 |
| 29 | Vermont | $41,415 | $19.91 |
| 30 | South Dakota | $35,992 | $17.30 |
| 31 | Indiana | $38,389 | $18.46 |
| 32 | South Carolina | $37,041 | $17.81 |
| 33 | Illinois | $40,152 | $19.30 |
| 34 | Nevada | $40,054 | $19.26 |
| 35 | Tennessee | $34,807 | $16.73 |
| 36 | Iowa | $36,243 | $17.42 |
| 37 | Hawaii | $39,683 | $19.08 |
| 38 | Washington | $33,914 | $16.30 |
| 39 | Florida | $33,853 | $16.28 |
| 40 | Georgia | $34,060 | $16.38 |
| 41 | Utah | $32,665 | $15.70 |
| 42 | Kansas | $36,022 | $17.32 |
| 43 | Colorado | $35,633 | $17.13 |
| 44 | Arkansas | $35,633 | $17.13 |
| 45 | Oklahoma | $33,421 | $16.07 |
| 46 | Alabama | $32,970 | $15.85 |
| 47 | Minnesota | $34,977 | $16.82 |
| 48 | Idaho | $32,674 | $15.71 |
| 49 | Oregon | $30,826 | $14.82 |
| 50 | Montana | $33,404 | $16.06 |
| 51 | Wyoming | $29,271 | $14.07 |
Highest paying cities for recycling workers
The highest-paying cities for recycling workers are New York, NY, Hagerstown, MD, and Springfield, MA.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York, NY | $48,057 | $23.10 |
| 2 | Hagerstown, MD | $45,743 | $21.99 |
| 3 | Springfield, MA | $45,459 | $21.86 |
| 4 | Los Angeles, CA | $44,806 | $21.54 |
| 5 | Washington, DC | $44,179 | $21.24 |
| 6 | Newark, NJ | $43,844 | $21.08 |
| 7 | Charlottesville, VA | $43,658 | $20.99 |
| 8 | DeKalb, IL | $39,904 | $19.18 |
| 9 | Kenner, LA | $39,177 | $18.84 |
| 10 | Gary, IN | $38,904 | $18.70 |
| 11 | Arlington, TX | $38,309 | $18.42 |
| 12 | Charleston, SC | $36,776 | $17.68 |
| 13 | Colorado Springs, CO | $36,144 | $17.38 |
| 14 | Minneapolis, MN | $34,980 | $16.82 |
| 15 | Winter Garden, FL | $33,730 | $16.22 |
| 16 | Tulsa, OK | $33,248 | $15.98 |
Recycling worker salary details
A recycling worker's salary ranges from $23,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $73,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is a recycling worker's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $73,000 | $6,083 | $35 |
| 75th Percentile | $56,000 | $4,667 | $27 |
| Average | $41,623 | $3,469 | $20 |
| 25th Percentile | $30,000 | $2,500 | $14 |
| 10th Percentile | $23,000 | $1,917 | $11 |
Highest paying recycling worker jobs
The highest paying types of recycling workers 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 recycling workers now:
Which companies pay recycling workers the most?
Recycling worker salaries at SYSCOM and Georgetown University are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average recycling worker salary at companies like University of Virginia and Republic Services are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | SYSCOM | $82,382 | $39.61 |
| 2 | Georgetown University | $54,520 | $26.21 |
| 3 | University of Virginia | $49,102 | $23.61 |
| 4 | Republic Services | $43,151 | $20.75 |
| 5 | C G Co | $42,039 | $20.21 |
| 6 | IH Services | $41,815 | $20.10 |
| 7 | Manhattan Beer | $39,533 | $19.01 |
| 8 | Casella Waste Systems | $37,316 | $17.94 |
| 9 | College of Charleston | $32,766 | $15.75 |
| 10 | ManpowerGroup | $32,122 | $15.44 |
| 11 | Aerotek | $30,893 | $14.85 |
| 12 | PeopleReady | $30,302 | $14.57 |
| 13 | Mall of America | $27,579 | $13.26 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Recycling Worker salary by industry
The average recycling worker salary varies across industries:
- The average recycling worker salary in the government industry is $42,614, the highest of any industry.
- The average recycling worker salary in the finance industry is $38,135.
- Recycling workers in the hospitality industry earn an average salary of $27,540, the lowest of any industry.
Highest paying industries for recycling workers
| Rank | Industry | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Government | $42,614 | $20.49 |
| 2 | Utilities | $38,135 | $18.33 |
| 3 | Retail | $37,065 | $17.82 |
| 4 | Education | $36,537 | $17.57 |
| 5 | Professional | $31,851 | $15.31 |
| 6 | Hospitality | $27,540 | $13.24 |
High paying recycling worker jobs
Recycling worker salary trends
The average recycling worker salary has risen by $6,223 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average recycling worker earned $35,400 annually, but today, they earn $41,623 a year. That works out to a 9% change in pay for recycling workers over the last decade.
Compare recycling worker salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average recycling worker salary over time
Compare recycling worker salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Recycling worker salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $41,600 | $20.01 | +5.2% |
| 2024 | $39,500 | $18.98 | -1.2% |
| 2023 | $40,000 | $19.21 | +4.2% |
| 2022 | $38,300 | $18.40 | +0.4% |
| 2021 | $38,100 | $18.32 | +2.9% |
Recently added recycling worker salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A2Z Intl | General Labor: Recycling Center | Phoenix, AZ | 06/28/2025 | $33,392 |
| A2Z Staffing | General Labor: Recycling Center | Phoenix, AZ | 06/27/2025 | $33,392 |
| Peopleready | Waste and Recycling Worker | Parkersburg, WV | 06/24/2025 | $31,305 |
| Peopleready | Recycling Worker | Farmington, NY | 06/21/2025 | $37,566 |
| Peopleready | Yard Associate/Recycling Worker | Litchfield, MN | 06/19/2025 | $39,653 |
| Peopleready | Refuse and Recycling Worker | Madisonville, TN | 06/19/2025 | $31,305 |
| Peopleready | Waste and Recycling Worker | Sarasota, FL | 06/12/2025 | $31,305 |
| Frank Calandra Jennmar Services | Recycling Laborer | Cresson, PA | 06/09/2025 | $24,001 |
| Peopleready | Waste and Recycling Labor | Pine Bluff, AR | 06/06/2025 | $31,305 |
| State of Virginia | Recycling Worker | Charlottesville, VA | 06/04/2025 | $31,305 |
Recycling worker salary FAQs
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