Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors salary in Lake Charles, LA
Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors in the Lake Charles, LA metro area earn a median of $38,330 a year ($18.43 an hour), based on BLS data for 90 workers.
Pay ranges from $28,260 for the lowest-paid 10% to $61,750 for the top 10%. That is 23% lower than the national median of $49,690. Pay here is 1% lower than the Louisiana statewide median of $38,810. There are 0.91 refuse and recyclable material collectors per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $43,460, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for refuse and recyclable material collectors in Lake Charles, LA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $28,260 | $13.59 |
| 25th percentile | $30,210 | $14.53 |
| Median | $38,330 | $18.43 |
| 75th percentile | $55,830 | $26.84 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $61,750 | $29.69 |
| Average (mean) | $43,460 | $20.89 |
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 | $3,194.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,597.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,474.23 |
| Weekly | $737.12 |
| Hourly | $18.43 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Baton Rouge, LA | $44,300 | 390 |
| Shreveport-Bossier City, LA | $42,120 | 160 |
| Slidell-Mandeville-Covington, LA | $39,900 | 170 |
| New Orleans-Metairie, LA | $39,040 | 560 |
| Hammond, LA | $37,920 | 40 |
| Monroe, LA | $37,190 | 80 |
| Lafayette, LA | $36,470 | 180 |
| Alexandria, LA | $35,500 | 70 |
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 Louisiana statewide figures.
Related jobs in Lake Charles, LA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $35,740 | $17.18 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $34,690 | $16.68 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $43,770 | $21.05 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $27,580 | $13.26 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $26,480 | $12.73 |
| Tank Car, Truck, and Ship Loaders | $63,170 | $30.37 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $49,960 | $24.02 |
| Light Truck Driver | $38,210 | $18.37 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $39,520 | $19.00 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $61,390 | $29.51 |
| Sailors and Marine Oilers | $38,600 | $18.56 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $26,560 | $12.77 |
| Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels | $119,630 | $57.51 |
| Automotive and Watercraft Service Attendants | $28,550 | $13.73 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Lake Charles, LA
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 Lake Charles, LA?
The median salary for refuse and recyclable material collectors in the Lake Charles, LA metro area is $38,330 a year, or $18.43 an hour. Pay ranges from $28,260 for the lowest-paid 10% to $61,750 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid refuse and recyclable material collectors make in Lake Charles, LA?
The top 10% of refuse and recyclable material collectors in the Lake Charles, LA metro area earn at least $61,750 a year. The top 25% earn $55,830 or more.
What is the starting pay for refuse and recyclable material collectors in Lake Charles, LA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $28,260 a year, and a quarter of refuse and recyclable material collectors earn $30,210 or less.
How many refuse and recyclable material collectors work in Lake Charles, LA?
About 90 refuse and recyclable material collectors are employed in the Lake Charles, LA metro area, not counting the self-employed.