Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors salary in Kentucky
Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors in Kentucky earn a median of $43,100 a year ($20.72 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,580 workers.
Pay ranges from $29,610 for the lowest-paid 10% to $56,170 for the top 10%. That is 13% lower than the national median of $49,690. Kentucky ranks 42nd of 51 states for refuse and recyclable material collectors pay. There are 0.79 refuse and recyclable material collectors per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $42,710, close to the median.
Pay range for refuse and recyclable material collectors in Kentucky
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $29,610 | $14.24 |
| 25th percentile | $34,710 | $16.69 |
| Median | $43,100 | $20.72 |
| 75th percentile | $48,870 | $23.50 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $56,170 | $27.00 |
| Average (mean) | $42,710 | $20.54 |
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 | $3,591.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,795.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,657.69 |
| Weekly | $828.85 |
| Hourly | $20.72 |
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 Kentucky
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $51,080 | 500 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $49,940 | 950 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $49,670 | 70 |
| Paducah, KY-IL | $48,460 | 40 |
| Lexington-Fayette, KY | $48,140 | 270 |
| Elizabethtown, KY | $47,700 | 50 |
| Bowling Green, KY | $36,810 | 70 |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $36,380 | 130 |
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 Kentucky
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $42,770 | $20.56 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $36,810 | $17.70 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $46,630 | $22.42 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $36,850 | $17.72 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $34,470 | $16.57 |
| Machine Feeders and Offbearers | $42,200 | $20.29 |
| Conveyor Operators and Tenders | $44,800 | $21.54 |
| Crane and Tower Operators | $62,000 | $29.81 |
| Material Moving Workers, All Other | $57,550 | $27.67 |
| Tank Car, Truck, and Ship Loaders | $53,160 | $25.56 |
| Pump Operators, Except Wellhead Pumpers | $46,600 | $22.40 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $56,340 | $27.09 |
| Light Truck Driver | $43,230 | $20.78 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $60,090 | $28.89 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Kentucky
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 Kentucky?
The median salary for refuse and recyclable material collectors in Kentucky is $43,100 a year, or $20.72 an hour. Pay ranges from $29,610 for the lowest-paid 10% to $56,170 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid refuse and recyclable material collectors make in Kentucky?
The top 10% of refuse and recyclable material collectors in Kentucky earn at least $56,170 a year. The top 25% earn $48,870 or more.
What is the starting pay for refuse and recyclable material collectors in Kentucky?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $29,610 a year, and a quarter of refuse and recyclable material collectors earn $34,710 or less.
How many refuse and recyclable material collectors work in Kentucky?
About 1,580 refuse and recyclable material collectors are employed in Kentucky, not counting the self-employed.