Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors · Pennsylvania

Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors Salary in Pennsylvania

Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors in Pennsylvania earn a median annual wage of $48,240 —2.9% below the national median of $49,690. That ranks PA #28 of 51 covered states and territories for this occupation.

Median annual
$48,240
Median hourly
$23.19
Entry level (P10)
$31,200
10th percentile
Top 10% (P90)
$66,660
90th percentile
Employment
6,220
1.0 per 1,000 jobs
vs U.S. median
-2.9%
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
$31,200
$37,440
$48,240
$61,960
$31,200$48,240$66,660
Annual wage distribution. Highlighted segment contains the median of $48,240.

Employment concentration (1.08×) is close to the national average.

Highest-paying states for refuse and recyclable material collectors

All 51 states ranked by median annual wage. Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania

Occupations in the same job family, compared within Pennsylvania.

Frequently asked questions

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

The median annual wage for refuse and recyclable material collectors in Pennsylvania is $48,240, or $23.19 per hour. That is 2.9% below the national median of $49,690.

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

Workers at the 10th percentile earn $31,200 per year ($15.00/hour). The 25th percentile is $37,440.

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

About 6,220 people work in this occupation in Pennsylvania, or 1.0 per 1,000 jobs statewide.

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

Pennsylvania ranks #28 of 51 states by median wage for this occupation. Employment concentration (1.08x) is close to the national average.

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