Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors salary in Connecticut
Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors in Connecticut earn a median of $38,220 a year ($18.37 an hour), based on BLS data for 810 workers.
Pay ranges from $34,980 for the lowest-paid 10% to $62,330 for the top 10%. That is 23% lower than the national median of $49,690. Connecticut ranks 47th of 51 states for refuse and recyclable material collectors pay. There are 0.48 refuse and recyclable material collectors per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.50). The average (mean) salary is $45,120, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for refuse and recyclable material collectors in Connecticut
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $34,980 | $16.82 |
| 25th percentile | $35,480 | $17.06 |
| Median | $38,220 | $18.37 |
| 75th percentile | $51,080 | $24.56 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $62,330 | $29.97 |
| Average (mean) | $45,120 | $21.69 |
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 | $3,185 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,592.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,470 |
| Weekly | $735 |
| Hourly | $18.37 |
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 Connecticut
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Waterbury-Shelton, CT | $51,080 | 110 |
| New Haven, CT | $46,900 | 140 |
| Norwich-New London-Willimantic, CT | $39,070 | 50 |
| Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT | $37,510 | 220 |
| Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT | $35,830 | 260 |
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 Connecticut
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $40,590 | $19.51 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $43,640 | $20.98 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $35,890 | $17.25 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $47,190 | $22.69 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $35,870 | $17.25 |
| Crane and Tower Operators | $81,360 | $39.12 |
| Machine Feeders and Offbearers | $36,950 | $17.76 |
| Material Moving Workers, All Other | $46,840 | $22.52 |
| Pump Operators, Except Wellhead Pumpers | $71,890 | $34.56 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $60,490 | $29.08 |
| Light Truck Driver | $44,500 | $21.39 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $61,520 | $29.58 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $65,440 | $31.46 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $36,730 | $17.66 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Connecticut
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 Connecticut?
The median salary for refuse and recyclable material collectors in Connecticut is $38,220 a year, or $18.37 an hour. Pay ranges from $34,980 for the lowest-paid 10% to $62,330 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid refuse and recyclable material collectors make in Connecticut?
The top 10% of refuse and recyclable material collectors in Connecticut earn at least $62,330 a year. The top 25% earn $51,080 or more.
What is the starting pay for refuse and recyclable material collectors in Connecticut?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $34,980 a year, and a quarter of refuse and recyclable material collectors earn $35,480 or less.
How many refuse and recyclable material collectors work in Connecticut?
About 810 refuse and recyclable material collectors are employed in Connecticut, not counting the self-employed.