Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors · Illinois

Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors Salary in Illinois

Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors in Illinois earn a median annual wage of $75,050 —51.0% above the national median of $49,690. That ranks IL #1 of 51 covered states and territories for this occupation.

Median annual
$75,050
Median hourly
$36.08
Entry level (P10)
$38,790
10th percentile
Top 10% (P90)
$88,640
90th percentile
Employment
4,910
0.8 per 1,000 jobs
vs U.S. median
+51.0%
U.S. $49,690

Wage distribution

How earnings are spread across workers in this occupation, from the 10th to the 90th percentile.

10th percentile90th percentile
$38,790
$58,750
$75,050
$84,300
$38,790$75,050$88,640
Annual wage distribution. Highlighted segment contains the median of $75,050.

Employment is only 0.85× as concentrated as the national average — this occupation is relatively scarce in Illinois.

Highest-paying states for refuse and recyclable material collectors

All 51 states ranked by median annual wage. Illinois is highlighted.

#StateMedian annual Median hourlyEmploymentLocation quotient
1Illinois$75,050$36.084,9100.85
2Washington$74,620$35.883,7501.12
3New York$64,950$31.2311,6301.27
4California$64,890$31.2013,9300.81
5Oregon$63,210$30.392,5001.34
6Minnesota$62,570$30.082,5000.89
7Nevada$61,310$29.477700.52
8Delaware$61,290$29.476001.31
9Colorado$60,310$29.003,7001.36
10Wisconsin$59,810$28.761,5500.55

Related occupations in Illinois

Occupations in the same job family, compared within Illinois.

Frequently asked questions

How much do refuse and recyclable material collectors make in Illinois?

The median annual wage for refuse and recyclable material collectors in Illinois is $75,050, or $36.08 per hour. That is 51.0% above the national median of $49,690.

What is the entry-level refuse and recyclable material collectors salary in Illinois?

Workers at the 10th percentile earn $38,790 per year ($18.65/hour). The 25th percentile is $58,750.

How many people work as refuse and recyclable material collectors in Illinois?

About 4,910 people work in this occupation in Illinois, or 0.8 per 1,000 jobs statewide.

Is Illinois a good state for refuse and recyclable material collectors?

Illinois ranks #1 of 51 states by median wage for this occupation. Employment is only 0.85x as concentrated as the national average, so this occupation is relatively scarce in Illinois.

Which state pays refuse and recyclable material collectors the most?

Illinois has the highest median wage at $75,050 per year, followed by Washington ($74,620) and New York ($64,950).

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025. Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, cross-industry estimates. Retrieved 2026-10-26. Figures are rounded by BLS to the nearest dollar (annual) and cent (hourly). Percentile wages describe the distribution of workers, not the pay range for a single job posting. bls.gov/oes