Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors salary in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO
Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro area earn a median of $61,190 a year ($29.42 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,970 workers.
Pay ranges from $39,960 for the lowest-paid 10% to $76,720 for the top 10%. That is 23% higher than the national median of $49,690. Pay here is 1% higher than the Colorado statewide median of $60,310. There are 1.2 refuse and recyclable material collectors per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $60,720, close to the median.
Pay range for refuse and recyclable material collectors in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $39,960 | $19.21 |
| 25th percentile | $49,880 | $23.98 |
| Median | $61,190 | $29.42 |
| 75th percentile | $70,670 | $33.98 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $76,720 | $36.88 |
| Average (mean) | $60,720 | $29.19 |
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 | $5,099.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,549.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,353.46 |
| Weekly | $1,176.73 |
| Hourly | $29.42 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Boulder, CO | $66,610 | 110 |
| 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 Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $44,480 | $21.39 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $46,290 | $22.25 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $52,190 | $25.09 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $41,600 | $20.00 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $41,350 | $19.88 |
| Machine Feeders and Offbearers | $47,020 | $22.60 |
| Crane and Tower Operators | $77,200 | $37.12 |
| Material Moving Workers, All Other | $65,110 | $31.30 |
| Conveyor Operators and Tenders | $40,430 | $19.44 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $63,900 | $30.72 |
| Light Truck Driver | $49,360 | $23.73 |
| Flight Attendant | $59,500 | — |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $69,250 | $33.29 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $46,600 | $22.40 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, 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 Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO?
The median salary for refuse and recyclable material collectors in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro area is $61,190 a year, or $29.42 an hour. Pay ranges from $39,960 for the lowest-paid 10% to $76,720 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid refuse and recyclable material collectors make in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO?
The top 10% of refuse and recyclable material collectors in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro area earn at least $76,720 a year. The top 25% earn $70,670 or more.
What is the starting pay for refuse and recyclable material collectors in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $39,960 a year, and a quarter of refuse and recyclable material collectors earn $49,880 or less.
How many refuse and recyclable material collectors work in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO?
About 1,970 refuse and recyclable material collectors are employed in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro area, not counting the self-employed.