Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors salary in Columbus, OH
Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors in the Columbus, OH metro area earn a median of $57,510 a year ($27.65 an hour), based on BLS data for 930 workers.
Pay ranges from $37,500 for the lowest-paid 10% to $63,380 for the top 10%. That is 16% higher than the national median of $49,690. Pay here is 17% higher than the Ohio statewide median of $49,330. There are 0.84 refuse and recyclable material collectors per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $54,730, close to the median.
Pay range for refuse and recyclable material collectors in Columbus, OH
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,500 | $18.03 |
| 25th percentile | $48,430 | $23.29 |
| Median | $57,510 | $27.65 |
| 75th percentile | $61,670 | $29.65 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $63,380 | $30.47 |
| Average (mean) | $54,730 | $26.31 |
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 | $4,792.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,396.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,211.92 |
| Weekly | $1,105.96 |
| Hourly | $27.65 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Cleveland, OH | $55,090 | 880 |
| Mansfield, OH | $50,210 | 70 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $49,940 | 950 |
| Canton-Massillon, OH | $49,920 | 120 |
| Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH | $49,010 | 320 |
| Akron, OH | $47,830 | 110 |
| Youngstown-Warren, OH | $46,210 | 140 |
| Lima, OH | $45,600 | 50 |
| Toledo, OH | $45,500 | 130 |
| Weirton-Steubenville, WV-OH | $39,930 | 60 |
| Wheeling, WV-OH | $36,650 | 70 |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $36,380 | 130 |
| Springfield, OH | $35,080 | 30 |
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 Ohio statewide figures.
Related jobs in Columbus, OH
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $39,040 | $18.77 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $41,200 | $19.81 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $46,780 | $22.49 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $38,090 | $18.31 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $35,750 | $17.19 |
| Machine Feeders and Offbearers | $60,410 | $29.04 |
| Conveyor Operators and Tenders | $38,210 | $18.37 |
| Crane and Tower Operators | $66,710 | $32.07 |
| Tank Car, Truck, and Ship Loaders | $57,030 | $27.42 |
| Material Moving Workers, All Other | $33,950 | $16.32 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $61,720 | $29.68 |
| Light Truck Driver | $43,800 | $21.06 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $62,260 | $29.93 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $36,730 | $17.66 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Columbus, OH
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 Columbus, OH?
The median salary for refuse and recyclable material collectors in the Columbus, OH metro area is $57,510 a year, or $27.65 an hour. Pay ranges from $37,500 for the lowest-paid 10% to $63,380 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid refuse and recyclable material collectors make in Columbus, OH?
The top 10% of refuse and recyclable material collectors in the Columbus, OH metro area earn at least $63,380 a year. The top 25% earn $61,670 or more.
What is the starting pay for refuse and recyclable material collectors in Columbus, OH?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $37,500 a year, and a quarter of refuse and recyclable material collectors earn $48,430 or less.
How many refuse and recyclable material collectors work in Columbus, OH?
About 930 refuse and recyclable material collectors are employed in the Columbus, OH metro area, not counting the self-employed.