Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors · North Carolina

Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors Salary in North Carolina

Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors in North Carolina earn a median annual wage of $44,670 —10.1% below the national median of $49,690. That ranks NC #39 of 51 covered states and territories for this occupation.

Median annual
$44,670
Median hourly
$21.48
Entry level (P10)
$25,140
10th percentile
Top 10% (P90)
$58,570
90th percentile
Employment
7,250
1.5 per 1,000 jobs
vs U.S. median
-10.1%
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
$25,140
$34,650
$44,670
$49,030
$25,140$44,670$58,570
Annual wage distribution. Highlighted segment contains the median of $44,670.

Employment is 1.55× as concentrated as the national average, making North Carolina a strong market for this occupation.

Highest-paying states for refuse and recyclable material collectors

All 51 states ranked by median annual wage. North Carolina 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 North Carolina

Occupations in the same job family, compared within North Carolina.

Frequently asked questions

How much do refuse and recyclable material collectors make in North Carolina?

The median annual wage for refuse and recyclable material collectors in North Carolina is $44,670, or $21.48 per hour. That is 10.1% below the national median of $49,690.

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

Workers at the 10th percentile earn $25,140 per year ($12.09/hour). The 25th percentile is $34,650.

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

About 7,250 people work in this occupation in North Carolina, or 1.5 per 1,000 jobs statewide.

Is North Carolina a good state for refuse and recyclable material collectors?

North Carolina ranks #39 of 51 states by median wage for this occupation. Employment is 1.55x as concentrated as the national average, making North Carolina a strong market for this occupation.

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