Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors salary in Indiana
Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors in Indiana earn a median of $58,900 a year ($28.32 an hour), based on BLS data for 3,180 workers.
Pay ranges from $36,000 for the lowest-paid 10% to $64,680 for the top 10%. That is 19% higher than the national median of $49,690. Indiana ranks 13th of 51 states for refuse and recyclable material collectors pay. There are 0.99 refuse and recyclable material collectors per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $54,930, close to the median.
Pay range for refuse and recyclable material collectors in Indiana
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,000 | $17.31 |
| 25th percentile | $49,840 | $23.96 |
| Median | $58,900 | $28.32 |
| 75th percentile | $61,210 | $29.43 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $64,680 | $31.09 |
| Average (mean) | $54,930 | $26.41 |
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 | $4,908.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,454.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,265.38 |
| Weekly | $1,132.69 |
| Hourly | $28.32 |
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 Indiana
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $77,470 | 3,330 |
| Muncie, IN | $60,940 | 30 |
| South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI | $60,080 | 100 |
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | $59,710 | 1,030 |
| Fort Wayne, IN | $58,650 | 170 |
| Evansville, IN | $57,750 | 120 |
| Terre Haute, IN | $57,010 | 80 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $51,080 | 500 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $49,940 | 950 |
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 Indiana
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $41,340 | $19.87 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $36,250 | $17.43 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $45,650 | $21.95 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $37,420 | $17.99 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $34,940 | $16.80 |
| Machine Feeders and Offbearers | $37,850 | $18.20 |
| Crane and Tower Operators | $52,950 | $25.46 |
| Conveyor Operators and Tenders | $46,300 | $22.26 |
| Tank Car, Truck, and Ship Loaders | $44,310 | $21.30 |
| Hoist and Winch Operators | $39,750 | $19.11 |
| Material Moving Workers, All Other | $50,040 | $24.06 |
| Gas Compressor and Gas Pumping Station Operators | $100,280 | $48.21 |
| Pump Operators, Except Wellhead Pumpers | $60,620 | $29.14 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $60,290 | $28.99 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Indiana
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 Indiana?
The median salary for refuse and recyclable material collectors in Indiana is $58,900 a year, or $28.32 an hour. Pay ranges from $36,000 for the lowest-paid 10% to $64,680 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid refuse and recyclable material collectors make in Indiana?
The top 10% of refuse and recyclable material collectors in Indiana earn at least $64,680 a year. The top 25% earn $61,210 or more.
What is the starting pay for refuse and recyclable material collectors in Indiana?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $36,000 a year, and a quarter of refuse and recyclable material collectors earn $49,840 or less.
How many refuse and recyclable material collectors work in Indiana?
About 3,180 refuse and recyclable material collectors are employed in Indiana, not counting the self-employed.