Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors salary in Memphis, TN-MS-AR
Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area earn a median of $44,470 a year ($21.38 an hour), based on BLS data for 890 workers.
Pay ranges from $31,760 for the lowest-paid 10% to $61,010 for the top 10%. That is 11% lower than the national median of $49,690. Pay here is 3% higher than the Tennessee statewide median of $43,270. There are 1.5 refuse and recyclable material collectors per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.5× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $44,720, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for refuse and recyclable material collectors in Memphis, TN-MS-AR
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $31,760 | $15.27 |
| 25th percentile | $39,270 | $18.88 |
| Median | $44,470 | $21.38 |
| 75th percentile | $51,860 | $24.94 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $61,010 | $29.33 |
| Average (mean) | $44,720 | $21.50 |
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 | $3,705.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,852.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,710.38 |
| Weekly | $855.19 |
| Hourly | $21.38 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $57,650 | 520 |
| Knoxville, TN | $51,030 | 350 |
| Jackson, TN | $50,050 | 100 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $49,670 | 70 |
| Gulfport-Biloxi, MS | $48,850 | 220 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $44,450 | 90 |
| Fort Smith, AR-OK | $41,420 | 130 |
| Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR | $40,540 | 180 |
| Jackson, MS | $39,900 | 230 |
| Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR | $38,200 | 320 |
| Morristown, TN | $38,020 | 100 |
| Cleveland, TN | $37,540 | 40 |
| Hattiesburg, MS | $37,070 | 90 |
| Texarkana, TX-AR | $36,890 | 30 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $36,090 | 80 |
| Jonesboro, AR | $35,330 | 50 |
| Hot Springs, AR | $30,460 | 50 |
| Johnson City, TN | $28,880 | 60 |
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 Tennessee statewide figures.
Related jobs in Memphis, TN-MS-AR
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $39,510 | $19.00 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $37,280 | $17.92 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $44,540 | $21.41 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $35,630 | $17.13 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $34,100 | $16.39 |
| Conveyor Operators and Tenders | $38,100 | $18.32 |
| Machine Feeders and Offbearers | $49,200 | $23.66 |
| Crane and Tower Operators | $53,600 | $25.77 |
| Material Moving Workers, All Other | $36,650 | $17.62 |
| Tank Car, Truck, and Ship Loaders | $55,730 | $26.79 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $63,070 | $30.32 |
| Light Truck Driver | $48,350 | $23.25 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $62,350 | $29.97 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $40,610 | $19.52 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Memphis, TN-MS-AR
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 Memphis, TN-MS-AR?
The median salary for refuse and recyclable material collectors in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area is $44,470 a year, or $21.38 an hour. Pay ranges from $31,760 for the lowest-paid 10% to $61,010 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid refuse and recyclable material collectors make in Memphis, TN-MS-AR?
The top 10% of refuse and recyclable material collectors in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area earn at least $61,010 a year. The top 25% earn $51,860 or more.
What is the starting pay for refuse and recyclable material collectors in Memphis, TN-MS-AR?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $31,760 a year, and a quarter of refuse and recyclable material collectors earn $39,270 or less.
How many refuse and recyclable material collectors work in Memphis, TN-MS-AR?
About 890 refuse and recyclable material collectors are employed in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area, not counting the self-employed.