Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors pay range in South Bend
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $34,160 a year or less, while the top 10% make $67,280 or more. The middle half of refuse and recyclable material collectors in South Bend earn between $46,830 and $60,440.
- $34K10th
- $47K25th
- $60KMedian
- $60K75th
- $67K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $55,580 | $4,632 | $26.72 |
| Median | $60,080 | $5,007 | $28.88 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $46,830 | $3,902 | $22.51 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $60,440 | $5,037 | $29.06 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors pay in South Bend vs. Indiana and the U.S.
Refuse and recyclable material collectors in South Bend earn about the same as the Indiana average ($54,930) and 5% more than the U.S. average ($52,820). At the median the gap is +21% against the U.S. median of $49,690.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Bend | $55,580 | $60,080 | $34,160 | $67,280 | 100 |
| Indiana | $54,930 | $58,900 | $36,000 | $64,680 | 3,180 |
| United States | $52,820 | $49,690 | $33,590 | $75,900 | 147,240 |
State and U.S. rows: BLS statewide and national estimates, May 2025, which include rural areas.
Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors salary after taxes in South Bend
On the average salary of $55,580, a single filer in South Bend takes home about $44,246 a year, or $3,687 a month and $1,702 every two weeks. Taxes take 20% of gross pay.
The South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI metro area crosses state lines, so take-home pay depends on the state where you work:
| State | Per year | Per month |
|---|---|---|
| Working in MI | $44,723 | $3,727 |
| Working in IN | $44,246 | $3,687 |
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2025 rules). Includes South Bend's local income tax (1.75%).
Is South Bend a good place for refuse and recyclable material collectors? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the South Bend area are 7% below the U.S. average (BEA price parity 92.9), so the average $55,580 buys what about $59,855 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 1.3 times the median wage of all jobs in South Bend ($46,540). A typical home costs $238,866, or 4.3 years of this average salary before tax.
Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors salary in other Indiana cities
South Bend ranks 2nd of 6 Indiana metro areas for this job; Muncie pays the most ($56,740).
- Muncie$56,740
- South Bend$55,580
- Evansville$55,210
- Indianapolis$55,210
- Fort Wayne$53,180
- Terre Haute$51,540
All Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors salaries in Indiana
Highest-paying cities for refuse and recyclable material collectors
San Jose, CA pays this job the most of the metro areas we cover ($88,030).
- San Jose, CA$88,030
- Seattle, WA$76,420
- San Francisco, CA$76,010
- Chicago, IL$71,570
- Santa Rosa, CA$70,560
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Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors salary in South Bend: questions
How much do refuse and recyclable material collectors make an hour in South Bend?
$26.72 an hour on average, and $28.89 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level refuse and recyclable material collectors salary in South Bend?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $34,160 a year and the 25th percentile is $46,830, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the refuse and recyclable material collectors take-home pay in South Bend?
About $44,246 a year ($3,687 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $55,580. Includes South Bend's local income tax (1.75%).
Do refuse and recyclable material collectors earn more in South Bend than elsewhere?
The average here is 5% more than the U.S. average for this job ($52,820).
Sources and how to read this page
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. SOC code 53-7081; area South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI (43780). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 2.2%.
- U.S. and statewide figures: BLS OEWS national and state estimates, May 2025, every employer including rural areas.
- Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
- Home value: Zillow Home Value Index. Typical-wage figure: OEWS all occupations, same metro.
- Take-home pay: Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2025 rules). Includes South Bend's local income tax (1.75%).
- Job concentration: location quotient 0.83, this job is about as common as in the U.S. overall.
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