Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors salary in Colorado
Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors in Colorado earn a median of $60,310 a year ($29.00 an hour), based on BLS data for 3,700 workers.
Pay ranges from $39,580 for the lowest-paid 10% to $75,330 for the top 10%. That is 21% higher than the national median of $49,690. Colorado ranks 9th 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 $57,860, close to the median.
Pay range for refuse and recyclable material collectors in Colorado
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $39,580 | $19.03 |
| 25th percentile | $46,770 | $22.48 |
| Median | $60,310 | $29.00 |
| 75th percentile | $64,410 | $30.96 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $75,330 | $36.22 |
| Average (mean) | $57,860 | $27.82 |
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 | $5,025.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,512.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,319.62 |
| Weekly | $1,159.81 |
| Hourly | $29.00 |
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 Colorado
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Boulder, CO | $66,610 | 110 |
| 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.
Related jobs in Colorado
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $42,350 | $20.36 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $45,370 | $21.81 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $50,570 | $24.31 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $39,610 | $19.04 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $40,730 | $19.58 |
| Machine Feeders and Offbearers | $48,400 | $23.27 |
| Material Moving Workers, All Other | $61,240 | $29.44 |
| Crane and Tower Operators | $77,120 | $37.08 |
| Conveyor Operators and Tenders | $40,480 | $19.46 |
| Wellhead Pumper | $72,700 | $34.95 |
| Tank Car, Truck, and Ship Loaders | $51,200 | $24.61 |
| Gas Compressor and Gas Pumping Station Operators | $76,200 | $36.63 |
| Pump Operators, Except Wellhead Pumpers | $46,680 | $22.44 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $61,500 | $29.57 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Colorado
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 Colorado?
The median salary for refuse and recyclable material collectors in Colorado is $60,310 a year, or $29.00 an hour. Pay ranges from $39,580 for the lowest-paid 10% to $75,330 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid refuse and recyclable material collectors make in Colorado?
The top 10% of refuse and recyclable material collectors in Colorado earn at least $75,330 a year. The top 25% earn $64,410 or more.
What is the starting pay for refuse and recyclable material collectors in Colorado?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $39,580 a year, and a quarter of refuse and recyclable material collectors earn $46,770 or less.
How many refuse and recyclable material collectors work in Colorado?
About 3,700 refuse and recyclable material collectors are employed in Colorado, not counting the self-employed.