Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors pay range in Washington
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $37,430 a year or less, while the top 10% make $68,650 or more. The middle half of refuse and recyclable material collectors in Washington earn between $41,080 and $59,420.
- $37K10th
- $41K25th
- $47KMedian
- $59K75th
- $69K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $50,660 | $4,222 | $24.36 |
| Median | $46,530 | $3,878 | $22.37 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $41,080 | $3,423 | $19.75 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $59,420 | $4,952 | $28.57 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors pay in Washington vs. Washington, D.C. and the U.S.
Refuse and recyclable material collectors in Washington earn 9% less than the Washington, D.C. average ($55,960) and 4% less than the U.S. average ($52,820). At the median the gap is -6% against the U.S. median of $49,690.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | $50,660 | $46,530 | $37,430 | $68,650 | 3,100 |
| Washington, D.C. | $55,960 | $55,490 | $39,810 | $76,020 | 540 |
| 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 Washington
On the average salary of $50,660, a single filer in Washington takes home about $41,012 a year, or $3,418 a month and $1,577 every two weeks. Taxes take 19% of gross pay.
The Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area crosses state lines, so take-home pay depends on the state where you work:
| State | Per year | Per month |
|---|---|---|
| Working in WV | $41,413 | $3,451 |
| Working in DC | $41,012 | $3,418 |
| Working in VA | $40,786 | $3,399 |
| Working in MD | $40,691 | $3,391 |
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules).
Is Washington a good place for refuse and recyclable material collectors? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the Washington area are 9% above the U.S. average (BEA price parity 108.9), so the average $50,660 buys what about $46,527 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 0.7 times the median wage of all jobs in Washington ($71,060). A typical home costs $583,013, or 11.5 years of this average salary before tax.
Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors salary in nearby metro areas
- Hagerstown, MD$43,100
- Baltimore, MD$48,850
- Winchester, VA$44,020
- Chambersburg, PA$53,930
- Harrisonburg, VA$43,180
- Charlottesville, VA$43,820
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 Washington: questions
How much do refuse and recyclable material collectors make an hour in Washington?
$24.36 an hour on average, and $22.37 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level refuse and recyclable material collectors salary in Washington?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $37,430 a year and the 25th percentile is $41,080, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the refuse and recyclable material collectors take-home pay in Washington?
About $41,012 a year ($3,418 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $50,660.
Do refuse and recyclable material collectors earn more in Washington than elsewhere?
The average here is 4% less 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 Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV (47900). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 1.6%.
- 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 (2026 rules).
- Job concentration: location quotient 1.05, this job is about as common as in the U.S. overall.
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