Refuse and Recyclable Material Collector salary
Updated Updated for 2026 tax law
A refuse and recyclable material collector earns a median of $49,690 a year ($23.89 an hour) in the US, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The average is $52,820. About 147,240 people work in this job.
Take-home pay on $49,690
- Gross pay
- $1,911.15
- Federal income tax
- −$145.49
- Social Security (6.2%)
- −$118.49
- Medicare (1.45%)
- −$27.71
- Texas income tax
- $0.00No state income tax on wages
- Take-home pay
- $1,619.46
Annual breakdown
- Gross
- $49,690
- Federal
- $3,783
- FICA
- $3,801
- State + local
- $0
- Net
- $42,106
- Marginal federal rate
- 12.0%
- Marginal state rate
- 0.0%
2026 federal brackets (Rev. Proc. 2025-32) and 2026 state rules. Estimates assume wages are your only income and use annual liability, so your actual withholding can differ slightly.
Refuse and Recyclable Material Collector salary by state
| State | Median salary | Average | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Illinois | $75,050 | $68,310 | 4,910 |
| Washington | $74,620 | $71,690 | 3,750 |
| New York | $64,950 | $67,130 | 11,630 |
| California | $64,890 | $66,300 | 13,930 |
| Oregon | $63,210 | $62,930 | 2,500 |
| Minnesota | $62,570 | $59,790 | 2,500 |
| Nevada | $61,310 | $64,120 | 770 |
| Delaware | $61,290 | $58,000 | 600 |
| Colorado | $60,310 | $57,860 | 3,700 |
| Wisconsin | $59,810 | $55,090 | 1,550 |
| Utah | $59,310 | $56,420 | 960 |
| North Dakota | $59,000 | $56,220 | 360 |
| Indiana | $58,900 | $54,930 | 3,180 |
| Hawaii | $56,270 | $53,780 | 770 |
| Rhode Island | $55,970 | $53,190 | 470 |
| District of Columbia | $55,490 | $55,960 | 540 |
| New Jersey | $54,630 | $54,260 | 4,330 |
| Vermont | $51,960 | $54,110 | 160 |
| Michigan | $51,030 | $52,280 | 4,020 |
| Massachusetts | $50,310 | $54,230 | 1,010 |
| Missouri | $50,010 | $50,300 | 1,930 |
| Idaho | $49,880 | $51,350 | 730 |
| Iowa | $49,850 | $51,120 | 1,780 |
| Montana | $49,420 | $50,200 | 370 |
| Nebraska | $49,390 | $48,610 | 910 |
| Ohio | $49,330 | $49,990 | 4,710 |
| Wyoming | $48,820 | $47,170 | 280 |
| Pennsylvania | $48,240 | $49,400 | 6,220 |
| Florida | $47,820 | $48,960 | 11,650 |
| New Mexico | $47,660 | $46,940 | 1,070 |
| Georgia | $46,960 | $46,150 | 4,830 |
| Arizona | $46,910 | $48,500 | 2,380 |
| New Hampshire | $46,580 | $47,400 | 340 |
| Virginia | $46,530 | $46,100 | 4,330 |
| Texas | $46,330 | $44,700 | 12,860 |
| Alabama | $46,240 | $45,450 | 2,790 |
| Alaska | $45,740 | $51,900 | 250 |
| Kansas | $45,510 | $42,960 | 910 |
| North Carolina | $44,670 | $42,590 | 7,250 |
| Maine | $43,360 | $44,840 | 770 |
| Tennessee | $43,270 | $44,320 | 2,550 |
| Kentucky | $43,100 | $42,710 | 1,580 |
| Oklahoma | $43,060 | $43,520 | 2,030 |
| Maryland | $41,870 | $46,740 | 3,120 |
| Mississippi | $39,170 | $42,300 | 1,970 |
| Louisiana | $38,810 | $41,900 | 2,200 |
| Connecticut | $38,220 | $45,120 | 810 |
| West Virginia | $35,840 | $36,820 | 1,000 |
| Arkansas | $35,640 | $37,250 | 1,600 |
| South Carolina | $34,880 | $35,690 | 2,020 |
| South Dakota | $32,950 | $34,810 | 340 |
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BLS occupation: Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 (SOC 53-7081). Excludes the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a refuse and recyclable material collector make an hour?
The median hourly wage is $23.89; the average is $25.39.
Which state pays refuse and recyclable material collectors the most?
Illinois ($75,050 median), followed by Washington and New York.
What is the salary range for a refuse and recyclable material collector?
The bottom 10% earn under $33,590 and the top 10% earn over $75,900 a year.
How much is $49,690 after taxes?
About $42,106 a year in Texas (no state income tax) or $40,439 in California for a single filer in 2026.
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Estimates for information only — not tax, legal or financial advice.