Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors salary in Alabama
Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors in Alabama earn a median of $46,240 a year ($22.23 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,790 workers.
Pay ranges from $29,500 for the lowest-paid 10% to $61,000 for the top 10%. That is 7% lower than the national median of $49,690. Alabama ranks 36th of 51 states for refuse and recyclable material collectors pay. There are 1.3 refuse and recyclable material collectors per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $45,450, close to the median.
Pay range for refuse and recyclable material collectors in Alabama
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $29,500 | $14.18 |
| 25th percentile | $36,280 | $17.44 |
| Median | $46,240 | $22.23 |
| 75th percentile | $54,910 | $26.40 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $61,000 | $29.33 |
| Average (mean) | $45,450 | $21.85 |
Half of refuse and recyclable material collectors earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $3,853.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,926.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,778.46 |
| Weekly | $889.23 |
| Hourly | $22.23 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors salary in cities in Alabama
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Huntsville, AL | $51,090 | 210 |
| Auburn-Opelika, AL | $49,620 | 110 |
| Mobile, AL | $48,460 | 190 |
| Birmingham, AL | $47,930 | 570 |
| Tuscaloosa, AL | $47,920 | 150 |
| Daphne-Fairhope-Foley, AL | $47,150 | 140 |
| Anniston-Oxford, AL | $46,770 | 50 |
| Decatur, AL | $44,020 | 80 |
| Dothan, AL | $39,350 | 120 |
| Montgomery, AL | $37,630 | 280 |
| Columbus, GA-AL | $37,090 | 50 |
| Florence-Muscle Shoals, AL | $36,280 | 80 |
Highest-paying states for refuse and recyclable material collectors
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Illinois | $75,050 |
| Washington | $74,620 |
| New York | $64,950 |
| California | $64,890 |
| Oregon | $63,210 |
| Minnesota | $62,570 |
| Nevada | $61,310 |
| Delaware | $61,290 |
| Colorado | $60,310 |
| Wisconsin | $59,810 |
See Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors pay in every state.
Related jobs in Alabama
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $34,290 | $16.48 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $36,670 | $17.63 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $44,880 | $21.58 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $31,770 | $15.28 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $29,360 | $14.11 |
| Machine Feeders and Offbearers | $38,810 | $18.66 |
| Crane and Tower Operators | $60,790 | $29.22 |
| Tank Car, Truck, and Ship Loaders | $75,450 | $36.27 |
| Conveyor Operators and Tenders | $55,970 | $26.91 |
| Pump Operators, Except Wellhead Pumpers | $66,890 | $32.16 |
| Gas Compressor and Gas Pumping Station Operators | $43,440 | $20.88 |
| Dredge Operator | $50,030 | $24.05 |
| Material Moving Workers, All Other | $52,710 | $25.34 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $52,120 | $25.06 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Alabama
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 53-7081. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a refuse and recyclable material collectors make in Alabama?
The median salary for refuse and recyclable material collectors in Alabama is $46,240 a year, or $22.23 an hour. Pay ranges from $29,500 for the lowest-paid 10% to $61,000 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid refuse and recyclable material collectors make in Alabama?
The top 10% of refuse and recyclable material collectors in Alabama earn at least $61,000 a year. The top 25% earn $54,910 or more.
What is the starting pay for refuse and recyclable material collectors in Alabama?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $29,500 a year, and a quarter of refuse and recyclable material collectors earn $36,280 or less.
How many refuse and recyclable material collectors work in Alabama?
About 2,790 refuse and recyclable material collectors are employed in Alabama, not counting the self-employed.