Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors salary in Ames, IA
Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors in the Ames, IA metro area earn a median of $47,810 a year ($22.99 an hour), based on BLS data for 90 workers.
Pay ranges from $36,270 for the lowest-paid 10% to $60,570 for the top 10%. That is 4% lower than the national median of $49,690. Pay here is 4% lower than the Iowa statewide median of $49,850. There are 1.6 refuse and recyclable material collectors per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.7× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $49,250, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for refuse and recyclable material collectors in Ames, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,270 | $17.44 |
| 25th percentile | $40,270 | $19.36 |
| Median | $47,810 | $22.99 |
| 75th percentile | $54,880 | $26.39 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $60,570 | $29.12 |
| Average (mean) | $49,250 | $23.68 |
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 | $3,984.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,992.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,838.85 |
| Weekly | $919.42 |
| Hourly | $22.99 |
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 other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $75,440 | 750 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $56,990 | 440 |
| Iowa City, IA | $56,810 | 60 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | $51,530 | 280 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $50,820 | 140 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $50,770 | 140 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $47,830 | 70 |
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 or the Iowa statewide figures.
Related jobs in Ames, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $36,240 | $17.42 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $40,280 | $19.36 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $36,390 | $17.49 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $48,310 | $23.23 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $34,490 | $16.58 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $54,510 | $26.21 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $54,780 | $26.34 |
| Light Truck Driver | $40,050 | $19.25 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $58,270 | $28.02 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $28,760 | $13.83 |
| Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs | $31,670 | $15.23 |
| Parking Attendant | $31,070 | $14.94 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Ames, IA
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 Ames, IA?
The median salary for refuse and recyclable material collectors in the Ames, IA metro area is $47,810 a year, or $22.99 an hour. Pay ranges from $36,270 for the lowest-paid 10% to $60,570 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid refuse and recyclable material collectors make in Ames, IA?
The top 10% of refuse and recyclable material collectors in the Ames, IA metro area earn at least $60,570 a year. The top 25% earn $54,880 or more.
What is the starting pay for refuse and recyclable material collectors in Ames, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $36,270 a year, and a quarter of refuse and recyclable material collectors earn $40,270 or less.
How many refuse and recyclable material collectors work in Ames, IA?
About 90 refuse and recyclable material collectors are employed in the Ames, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.