Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors salary in New York
Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors in New York earn a median of $64,950 a year ($31.23 an hour), based on BLS data for 11,630 workers.
Pay ranges from $42,740 for the lowest-paid 10% to $86,720 for the top 10%. That is 31% higher than the national median of $49,690. New York ranks 3rd of 51 states for refuse and recyclable material collectors pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 1.2 refuse and recyclable material collectors per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $67,130, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for refuse and recyclable material collectors in New York
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $42,740 | $20.55 |
| 25th percentile | $47,020 | $22.61 |
| Median | $64,950 | $31.23 |
| 75th percentile | $86,310 | $41.49 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $86,720 | $41.69 |
| Average (mean) | $67,130 | $32.27 |
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 | $5,412.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,706.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,498.08 |
| Weekly | $1,249.04 |
| Hourly | $31.23 |
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 York
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $65,310 | 13,310 |
| Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY | $58,320 | 190 |
| Rochester, NY | $56,080 | 200 |
| Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY | $52,340 | 320 |
| Watertown-Fort Drum, NY | $51,490 | 30 |
| Ithaca, NY | $51,320 | 50 |
| Syracuse, NY | $49,810 | 130 |
| Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY | $49,580 | 150 |
| Utica-Rome, NY | $47,700 | 50 |
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 York
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $39,030 | $18.76 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $44,630 | $21.46 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $39,390 | $18.94 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $49,030 | $23.57 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $37,260 | $17.91 |
| Crane and Tower Operators | $85,850 | $41.27 |
| Machine Feeders and Offbearers | $43,450 | $20.89 |
| Conveyor Operators and Tenders | $42,670 | $20.52 |
| Pump Operators, Except Wellhead Pumpers | $48,010 | $23.08 |
| Hoist and Winch Operators | $74,980 | $36.05 |
| Tank Car, Truck, and Ship Loaders | $48,220 | $23.19 |
| Gas Compressor and Gas Pumping Station Operators | $59,040 | $28.39 |
| Wellhead Pumper | $48,980 | $23.55 |
| Material Moving Workers, All Other | $60,960 | $29.31 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in New York
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 York?
The median salary for refuse and recyclable material collectors in New York is $64,950 a year, or $31.23 an hour. Pay ranges from $42,740 for the lowest-paid 10% to $86,720 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid refuse and recyclable material collectors make in New York?
The top 10% of refuse and recyclable material collectors in New York earn at least $86,720 a year. The top 25% earn $86,310 or more.
What is the starting pay for refuse and recyclable material collectors in New York?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $42,740 a year, and a quarter of refuse and recyclable material collectors earn $47,020 or less.
How many refuse and recyclable material collectors work in New York?
About 11,630 refuse and recyclable material collectors are employed in New York, not counting the self-employed.