Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors salary in New Jersey
Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors in New Jersey earn a median of $54,630 a year ($26.27 an hour), based on BLS data for 4,330 workers.
Pay ranges from $37,590 for the lowest-paid 10% to $71,230 for the top 10%. That is 10% higher than the national median of $49,690. New Jersey ranks 17th of 51 states for refuse and recyclable material collectors pay. There are 1.0 refuse and recyclable material collectors per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $54,260, close to the median.
Pay range for refuse and recyclable material collectors in New Jersey
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,590 | $18.07 |
| 25th percentile | $41,920 | $20.16 |
| Median | $54,630 | $26.27 |
| 75th percentile | $65,370 | $31.43 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $71,230 | $34.24 |
| Average (mean) | $54,260 | $26.09 |
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 | $4,552.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,276.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,101.15 |
| Weekly | $1,050.58 |
| Hourly | $26.27 |
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 New Jersey
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $65,310 | 13,310 |
| Trenton-Princeton, NJ | $59,760 | 250 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $59,730 | 2,610 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | $51,610 | 480 |
| Atlantic City-Hammonton, NJ | $47,320 | 300 |
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 New Jersey
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $39,540 | $19.01 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $43,840 | $21.08 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $37,250 | $17.91 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $46,100 | $22.16 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $37,090 | $17.83 |
| Crane and Tower Operators | $100,640 | $48.39 |
| Machine Feeders and Offbearers | $44,890 | $21.58 |
| Material Moving Workers, All Other | $64,870 | $31.19 |
| Pump Operators, Except Wellhead Pumpers | $64,990 | $31.24 |
| Conveyor Operators and Tenders | $50,750 | $24.40 |
| Tank Car, Truck, and Ship Loaders | $64,890 | $31.20 |
| Dredge Operator | $63,810 | $30.68 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $63,570 | $30.56 |
| Light Truck Driver | $46,820 | $22.51 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in New Jersey
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 New Jersey?
The median salary for refuse and recyclable material collectors in New Jersey is $54,630 a year, or $26.27 an hour. Pay ranges from $37,590 for the lowest-paid 10% to $71,230 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid refuse and recyclable material collectors make in New Jersey?
The top 10% of refuse and recyclable material collectors in New Jersey earn at least $71,230 a year. The top 25% earn $65,370 or more.
What is the starting pay for refuse and recyclable material collectors in New Jersey?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $37,590 a year, and a quarter of refuse and recyclable material collectors earn $41,920 or less.
How many refuse and recyclable material collectors work in New Jersey?
About 4,330 refuse and recyclable material collectors are employed in New Jersey, not counting the self-employed.