Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors salary in Illinois
Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors in Illinois earn a median of $75,050 a year ($36.08 an hour), based on BLS data for 4,910 workers.
Pay ranges from $38,790 for the lowest-paid 10% to $88,640 for the top 10%. That is 51% higher than the national median of $49,690. Illinois ranks 1st of 51 states for refuse and recyclable material collectors pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.81 refuse and recyclable material collectors per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $68,310, close to the median.
Pay range for refuse and recyclable material collectors in Illinois
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $38,790 | $18.65 |
| 25th percentile | $58,750 | $28.25 |
| Median | $75,050 | $36.08 |
| 75th percentile | $84,300 | $40.53 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $88,640 | $42.61 |
| Average (mean) | $68,310 | $32.84 |
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 | $6,254.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,127.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,886.54 |
| Weekly | $1,443.27 |
| Hourly | $36.08 |
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 Illinois
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $77,470 | 3,330 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $75,440 | 750 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $60,750 | 970 |
| Springfield, IL | $60,570 | 80 |
| Peoria, IL | $59,070 | 60 |
| Paducah, KY-IL | $48,460 | 40 |
| Champaign-Urbana, IL | $40,650 | 40 |
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 Illinois
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $40,550 | $19.50 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $37,680 | $18.11 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $47,720 | $22.94 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $36,090 | $17.35 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $35,930 | $17.27 |
| Crane and Tower Operators | $61,820 | $29.72 |
| Conveyor Operators and Tenders | $44,290 | $21.29 |
| Hoist and Winch Operators | $118,210 | $56.83 |
| Wellhead Pumper | $51,440 | $24.73 |
| Material Moving Workers, All Other | $39,870 | $19.17 |
| Pump Operators, Except Wellhead Pumpers | $92,310 | $44.38 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $60,320 | $29.00 |
| Light Truck Driver | $47,380 | $22.78 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $65,420 | $31.45 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Illinois
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 Illinois?
The median salary for refuse and recyclable material collectors in Illinois is $75,050 a year, or $36.08 an hour. Pay ranges from $38,790 for the lowest-paid 10% to $88,640 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid refuse and recyclable material collectors make in Illinois?
The top 10% of refuse and recyclable material collectors in Illinois earn at least $88,640 a year. The top 25% earn $84,300 or more.
What is the starting pay for refuse and recyclable material collectors in Illinois?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $38,790 a year, and a quarter of refuse and recyclable material collectors earn $58,750 or less.
How many refuse and recyclable material collectors work in Illinois?
About 4,910 refuse and recyclable material collectors are employed in Illinois, not counting the self-employed.