Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors salary in Bowling Green, KY
Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors in the Bowling Green, KY metro area earn a median of $36,810 a year ($17.70 an hour), based on BLS data for 70 workers.
Pay ranges from $29,930 for the lowest-paid 10% to $52,470 for the top 10%. That is 26% lower than the national median of $49,690. Pay here is 15% lower than the Kentucky statewide median of $43,100. There are 0.81 refuse and recyclable material collectors per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $41,080, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for refuse and recyclable material collectors in Bowling Green, KY
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $29,930 | $14.39 |
| 25th percentile | $34,380 | $16.53 |
| Median | $36,810 | $17.70 |
| 75th percentile | $48,870 | $23.50 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $52,470 | $25.23 |
| Average (mean) | $41,080 | $19.75 |
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 | $3,067.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,533.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,415.77 |
| Weekly | $707.88 |
| Hourly | $17.70 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $51,080 | 500 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $49,940 | 950 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $49,670 | 70 |
| Paducah, KY-IL | $48,460 | 40 |
| Lexington-Fayette, KY | $48,140 | 270 |
| Elizabethtown, KY | $47,700 | 50 |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $36,380 | 130 |
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 Kentucky statewide figures.
Related jobs in Bowling Green, KY
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $38,040 | $18.29 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $34,730 | $16.70 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $39,110 | $18.80 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $33,310 | $16.01 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $31,270 | $15.03 |
| Machine Feeders and Offbearers | $43,220 | $20.78 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $53,450 | $25.70 |
| Light Truck Driver | $39,270 | $18.88 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $45,250 | $21.76 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $57,600 | $27.69 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $30,320 | $14.58 |
| Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity | $38,310 | $18.42 |
| Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs | $31,480 | $15.13 |
| Parking Attendant | $31,190 | $15.00 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Bowling Green, KY
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 Bowling Green, KY?
The median salary for refuse and recyclable material collectors in the Bowling Green, KY metro area is $36,810 a year, or $17.70 an hour. Pay ranges from $29,930 for the lowest-paid 10% to $52,470 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid refuse and recyclable material collectors make in Bowling Green, KY?
The top 10% of refuse and recyclable material collectors in the Bowling Green, KY metro area earn at least $52,470 a year. The top 25% earn $48,870 or more.
What is the starting pay for refuse and recyclable material collectors in Bowling Green, KY?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $29,930 a year, and a quarter of refuse and recyclable material collectors earn $34,380 or less.
How many refuse and recyclable material collectors work in Bowling Green, KY?
About 70 refuse and recyclable material collectors are employed in the Bowling Green, KY metro area, not counting the self-employed.