Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors salary in Boulder, CO
Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors in the Boulder, CO metro area earn a median of $66,610 a year ($32.02 an hour), based on BLS data for 110 workers.
Pay ranges from $37,530 for the lowest-paid 10% to $71,380 for the top 10%. That is 34% higher than the national median of $49,690. Pay here is 10% higher than the Colorado statewide median of $60,310. There are 0.59 refuse and recyclable material collectors per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.63). The average (mean) salary is $60,170, close to the median.
Pay range for refuse and recyclable material collectors in Boulder, CO
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,530 | $18.04 |
| 25th percentile | $47,910 | $23.03 |
| Median | $66,610 | $32.02 |
| 75th percentile | $67,460 | $32.43 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $71,380 | $34.32 |
| Average (mean) | $60,170 | $28.93 |
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 | $5,550.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,775.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,561.92 |
| Weekly | $1,280.96 |
| Hourly | $32.02 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | $61,190 | 1,970 |
| Colorado Springs, CO | $58,530 | 420 |
| Greeley, CO | $56,160 | 250 |
| Fort Collins-Loveland, CO | $56,020 | 120 |
| Grand Junction, CO | $54,930 | 120 |
| Pueblo, CO | $46,750 | 120 |
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 Colorado statewide figures.
Related jobs in Boulder, CO
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $45,010 | $21.64 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $46,730 | $22.47 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $41,250 | $19.83 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $48,260 | $23.20 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $40,490 | $19.46 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $63,810 | $30.68 |
| Light Truck Driver | $49,990 | $24.03 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $61,640 | $29.63 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $47,150 | $22.67 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $60,950 | $29.31 |
| Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs | $49,500 | $23.80 |
| Automotive and Watercraft Service Attendants | $39,370 | $18.93 |
| Motor Vehicle Operators, All Other | $43,390 | $20.86 |
| Commercial Pilot | $165,780 | — |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Boulder, CO
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 Boulder, CO?
The median salary for refuse and recyclable material collectors in the Boulder, CO metro area is $66,610 a year, or $32.02 an hour. Pay ranges from $37,530 for the lowest-paid 10% to $71,380 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid refuse and recyclable material collectors make in Boulder, CO?
The top 10% of refuse and recyclable material collectors in the Boulder, CO metro area earn at least $71,380 a year. The top 25% earn $67,460 or more.
What is the starting pay for refuse and recyclable material collectors in Boulder, CO?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $37,530 a year, and a quarter of refuse and recyclable material collectors earn $47,910 or less.
How many refuse and recyclable material collectors work in Boulder, CO?
About 110 refuse and recyclable material collectors are employed in the Boulder, CO metro area, not counting the self-employed.