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Waste collector salary
Average waste collector salary
$14.26
Average Waste Collector Salary
The average salary for a waste collector is around $29,657 annually, translating to about $14 per hour. However, salaries can vary significantly based on factors such as geographic location, years of experience, and specific job responsibilities. For instance, in metropolitan areas, waste collectors may earn higher wages due to increased demand and cost of living adjustments.
Highest Paying States and Cities
Some of the highest paying states for waste collectors include California and New York, where the average salaries can exceed $35,000 per year. Major cities like Los Angeles and New York City also offer competitive wages, often reflecting local economic conditions and the scale of waste management operations. Furthermore, waste collectors with experience or those who take on supervisory roles can also see significant salary increases.
Opportunities in Waste Management
As the demand for waste management services continues to grow, the job outlook for waste collectors remains positive. Prospective employees are encouraged to consider opportunities for advancement, such as transitioning into management or specialized roles within the industry. This not only enhances earning potential but also opens doors to a rewarding career in waste management.
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Where can a Waste Collector earn more?
Waste collector salaries by experience level
| Experience level | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|
| Entry-level waste collector | $21,800 | $10.47 |
| Mid-level waste collector | $27,400 | $13.18 |
| Senior-level waste collector | $33,900 | $16.28 |
Average waste collector salary by state
The highest-paying states for waste collectors are Alaska, California, and Washington. The lowest average waste collector salary states are South Dakota, North Carolina, and Georgia.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for waste collectors
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington | $40,632 | $19.53 |
| 2 | Alaska | $44,570 | $21.43 |
| 3 | California | $43,038 | $20.69 |
| 4 | Utah | $35,714 | $17.17 |
| 5 | Oregon | $38,251 | $18.39 |
| 6 | Nevada | $33,547 | $16.13 |
| 7 | Colorado | $34,007 | $16.35 |
| 8 | Texas | $31,203 | $15.00 |
| 9 | Wyoming | $38,018 | $18.28 |
| 10 | Massachusetts | $34,985 | $16.82 |
| 11 | Minnesota | $36,105 | $17.36 |
| 12 | North Dakota | $34,260 | $16.47 |
| 13 | Arizona | $31,180 | $14.99 |
| 14 | West Virginia | $30,469 | $14.65 |
| 15 | Vermont | $35,518 | $17.08 |
| 16 | New Hampshire | $29,390 | $14.13 |
| 17 | Maine | $33,181 | $15.95 |
| 18 | New Mexico | $30,967 | $14.89 |
| 19 | Wisconsin | $31,383 | $15.09 |
| 20 | Idaho | $32,287 | $15.52 |
| 21 | Oklahoma | $29,007 | $13.95 |
| 22 | New York | $29,762 | $14.31 |
| 23 | Florida | $26,645 | $12.81 |
| 24 | Indiana | $27,142 | $13.05 |
| 25 | Michigan | $28,318 | $13.61 |
| 26 | Connecticut | $28,551 | $13.73 |
| 27 | Arkansas | $27,136 | $13.05 |
| 28 | Illinois | $29,827 | $14.34 |
| 29 | Ohio | $27,638 | $13.29 |
| 30 | Alabama | $24,399 | $11.73 |
| 31 | Missouri | $26,898 | $12.93 |
| 32 | Delaware | $27,714 | $13.32 |
| 33 | New Jersey | $27,586 | $13.26 |
| 34 | Pennsylvania | $26,542 | $12.76 |
| 35 | Rhode Island | $23,893 | $11.49 |
| 36 | Iowa | $26,357 | $12.67 |
| 37 | Hawaii | $27,720 | $13.33 |
| 38 | Montana | $25,391 | $12.21 |
| 39 | Kansas | $26,403 | $12.69 |
| 40 | Kentucky | $23,986 | $11.53 |
| 41 | Louisiana | $24,080 | $11.58 |
| 42 | Virginia | $24,462 | $11.76 |
| 43 | North Carolina | $21,829 | $10.49 |
| 44 | Nebraska | $24,941 | $11.99 |
| 45 | Georgia | $20,417 | $9.82 |
| 46 | Mississippi | $23,113 | $11.11 |
| 47 | South Carolina | $20,351 | $9.78 |
| 48 | Maryland | $18,632 | $8.96 |
| 49 | Tennessee | $18,112 | $8.71 |
| 50 | South Dakota | $23,057 | $11.09 |
| 51 | District of Columbia | $22,634 | $10.88 |
Highest paying cities for waste collectors
The highest-paying cities for waste collectors are El Dorado Hills, CA, Dracut, MA, and Glendale, AZ.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | El Dorado Hills, CA | $44,280 | $21.29 |
| 2 | Dracut, MA | $35,200 | $16.92 |
| 3 | Glendale, AZ | $31,288 | $15.04 |
| 4 | Bedford, TX | $31,106 | $14.95 |
| 5 | Chicago, IL | $29,848 | $14.35 |
| 6 | Central Islip, NY | $29,816 | $14.33 |
| 7 | Tulsa, OK | $28,921 | $13.90 |
| 8 | Detroit, MI | $28,270 | $13.59 |
| 9 | Columbus, OH | $27,408 | $13.18 |
| 10 | Gladstone, MO | $27,234 | $13.09 |
| 11 | Easton, PA | $26,778 | $12.87 |
| 12 | Bonita Springs, FL | $26,777 | $12.87 |
| 13 | Bettendorf, IA | $26,047 | $12.52 |
| 14 | Omaha, NE | $24,855 | $11.95 |
| 15 | Lake Charles, LA | $24,333 | $11.70 |
| 16 | Cary, NC | $21,833 | $10.50 |
| 17 | Gainesville, GA | $20,503 | $9.86 |
| 18 | Greenville, SC | $20,473 | $9.84 |
| 19 | Franklin, TN | $18,123 | $8.71 |
Waste collector salary details
A waste collector's salary ranges from $21,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $40,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is a waste collector's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $40,000 | $3,333 | $19 |
| 75th Percentile | $34,000 | $2,833 | $16 |
| Average | $29,657 | $2,471 | $14 |
| 25th Percentile | $25,000 | $2,083 | $12 |
| 10th Percentile | $21,000 | $1,750 | $10 |
Highest paying waste collector jobs
The highest paying types of waste collectors are commercial front load driver, residential recycle driver, and driver/refuse collector.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Collector | $34,872 | $2,906 | $16.77 | 23,948 |
| Trash Collector | $29,503 | $2,459 | $14.18 | 3,364 |
Top companies hiring waste collectors now:
Which companies pay waste collectors the most?
Waste collector salaries at University of Houston and PSEA are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average waste collector salary at companies like City Of Statesville and Live Nation Entertainment are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Houston | $34,625 | $16.65 |
| 2 | PSEA | $32,423 | $15.59 |
| 3 | City Of Statesville | $32,294 | $15.53 |
| 4 | Live Nation Entertainment | $32,261 | $15.51 |
| 5 | Lane County Engineer | $31,626 | $15.20 |
| 6 | Valet Living | $30,169 | $14.50 |
| 7 | House of Blues | $28,910 | $13.90 |
| 8 | PeopleReady | $27,024 | $12.99 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Waste collector salary trends
The average waste collector salary has risen by $5,173 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average waste collector earned $24,484 annually, but today, they earn $29,657 a year. That works out to a 11% change in pay for waste collectors over the last decade.
Compare waste collector salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average waste collector salary over time
Compare waste collector salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Waste collector salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $29,700 | $14.26 | +3.2% |
| 2024 | $28,700 | $13.80 | +1.5% |
| 2023 | $28,300 | $13.59 | +3.0% |
| 2022 | $27,400 | $13.19 | +2.5% |
| 2021 | $26,800 | $12.86 | +4.2% |
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