Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors salary in Iowa
Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors in Iowa earn a median of $49,850 a year ($23.97 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,780 workers.
Pay ranges from $38,220 for the lowest-paid 10% to $63,350 for the top 10%. That is about the same as the national median of $49,690. Iowa ranks 23rd of 51 states for refuse and recyclable material collectors pay. There are 1.1 refuse and recyclable material collectors per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $51,120, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for refuse and recyclable material collectors in Iowa
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $38,220 | $18.38 |
| 25th percentile | $46,190 | $22.21 |
| Median | $49,850 | $23.97 |
| 75th percentile | $58,050 | $27.91 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $63,350 | $30.46 |
| Average (mean) | $51,120 | $24.58 |
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 | $4,154.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,077.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,917.31 |
| Weekly | $958.65 |
| Hourly | $23.97 |
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 Iowa
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $75,440 | 750 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $56,990 | 440 |
| Iowa City, IA | $56,810 | 60 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | $51,530 | 280 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $50,820 | 140 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $50,770 | 140 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $47,830 | 70 |
| Ames, IA | $47,810 | 90 |
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 Iowa
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $43,490 | $20.91 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $36,640 | $17.62 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $47,590 | $22.88 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $35,920 | $17.27 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $37,470 | $18.02 |
| Crane and Tower Operators | $67,600 | $32.50 |
| Conveyor Operators and Tenders | $56,900 | $27.36 |
| Machine Feeders and Offbearers | $45,250 | $21.75 |
| Tank Car, Truck, and Ship Loaders | $51,450 | $24.74 |
| Dredge Operator | $57,990 | $27.88 |
| Material Moving Workers, All Other | $50,960 | $24.50 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $58,070 | $27.92 |
| Light Truck Driver | $42,750 | $20.56 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $60,490 | $29.08 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Iowa
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 Iowa?
The median salary for refuse and recyclable material collectors in Iowa is $49,850 a year, or $23.97 an hour. Pay ranges from $38,220 for the lowest-paid 10% to $63,350 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid refuse and recyclable material collectors make in Iowa?
The top 10% of refuse and recyclable material collectors in Iowa earn at least $63,350 a year. The top 25% earn $58,050 or more.
What is the starting pay for refuse and recyclable material collectors in Iowa?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $38,220 a year, and a quarter of refuse and recyclable material collectors earn $46,190 or less.
How many refuse and recyclable material collectors work in Iowa?
About 1,780 refuse and recyclable material collectors are employed in Iowa, not counting the self-employed.