Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors salary in Massachusetts
Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors in Massachusetts earn a median of $50,310 a year ($24.19 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,010 workers.
Pay ranges from $39,180 for the lowest-paid 10% to $73,090 for the top 10%. That is 1% higher than the national median of $49,690. Massachusetts ranks 20th of 51 states for refuse and recyclable material collectors pay. There are 0.28 refuse and recyclable material collectors per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.29). The average (mean) salary is $54,230, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for refuse and recyclable material collectors in Massachusetts
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $39,180 | $18.84 |
| 25th percentile | $45,040 | $21.65 |
| Median | $50,310 | $24.19 |
| 75th percentile | $62,360 | $29.98 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $73,090 | $35.14 |
| Average (mean) | $54,230 | $26.07 |
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 | $4,192.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,096.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,935 |
| Weekly | $967.50 |
| Hourly | $24.19 |
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 Massachusetts
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Amherst Town-Northampton, MA | $61,800 | 50 |
| Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | $53,510 | 570 |
| Springfield, MA | $52,450 | 90 |
| Barnstable Town, MA | $50,990 | 40 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $50,210 | 540 |
| Worcester, MA | $46,740 | 160 |
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 Massachusetts
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $37,540 | $18.05 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $44,920 | $21.60 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $34,200 | $16.44 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $46,850 | $22.52 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $38,630 | $18.57 |
| Crane and Tower Operators | $98,150 | $47.19 |
| Machine Feeders and Offbearers | $43,510 | $20.92 |
| Conveyor Operators and Tenders | $43,150 | $20.75 |
| Tank Car, Truck, and Ship Loaders | $71,750 | $34.49 |
| Hoist and Winch Operators | $62,240 | $29.93 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $63,030 | $30.30 |
| Light Truck Driver | $48,110 | $23.13 |
| Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs | $43,590 | $20.96 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $65,570 | $31.52 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Massachusetts
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 Massachusetts?
The median salary for refuse and recyclable material collectors in Massachusetts is $50,310 a year, or $24.19 an hour. Pay ranges from $39,180 for the lowest-paid 10% to $73,090 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid refuse and recyclable material collectors make in Massachusetts?
The top 10% of refuse and recyclable material collectors in Massachusetts earn at least $73,090 a year. The top 25% earn $62,360 or more.
What is the starting pay for refuse and recyclable material collectors in Massachusetts?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $39,180 a year, and a quarter of refuse and recyclable material collectors earn $45,040 or less.
How many refuse and recyclable material collectors work in Massachusetts?
About 1,010 refuse and recyclable material collectors are employed in Massachusetts, not counting the self-employed.