Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors salary in North Carolina
Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors in North Carolina earn a median of $44,670 a year ($21.48 an hour), based on BLS data for 7,250 workers.
Pay ranges from $25,140 for the lowest-paid 10% to $58,570 for the top 10%. That is 10% lower than the national median of $49,690. North Carolina ranks 39th of 51 states for refuse and recyclable material collectors pay. There are 1.5 refuse and recyclable material collectors per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.6× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $42,590, close to the median.
Pay range for refuse and recyclable material collectors in North Carolina
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $25,140 | $12.09 |
| 25th percentile | $34,650 | $16.66 |
| Median | $44,670 | $21.48 |
| 75th percentile | $49,030 | $23.57 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $58,570 | $28.16 |
| Average (mean) | $42,590 | $20.47 |
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 | $3,722.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,861.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,718.08 |
| Weekly | $859.04 |
| Hourly | $21.48 |
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 North Carolina
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $49,470 | 1,840 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $48,570 | 640 |
| Greenville, NC | $47,830 | 80 |
| Fayetteville, NC | $47,220 | 180 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $47,170 | 820 |
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $46,160 | 230 |
| Asheville, NC | $45,520 | 220 |
| Wilmington, NC | $45,270 | 260 |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $44,670 | 420 |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | $43,160 | 440 |
| Burlington, NC | $41,030 | 100 |
| Pinehurst-Southern Pines, NC | $37,160 | 70 |
| Jacksonville, NC | $37,020 | 50 |
| Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC | $36,960 | 210 |
| Rocky Mount, NC | $26,580 | 150 |
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 North Carolina
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $38,230 | $18.38 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $35,950 | $17.29 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $43,420 | $20.88 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $34,360 | $16.52 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $33,470 | $16.09 |
| Machine Feeders and Offbearers | $37,370 | $17.97 |
| Crane and Tower Operators | $64,480 | $31.00 |
| Conveyor Operators and Tenders | $39,160 | $18.83 |
| Material Moving Workers, All Other | $38,960 | $18.73 |
| Tank Car, Truck, and Ship Loaders | $44,910 | $21.59 |
| Pump Operators, Except Wellhead Pumpers | $45,890 | $22.06 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $51,530 | $24.77 |
| Light Truck Driver | $39,910 | $19.19 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $60,070 | $28.88 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in North Carolina
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 North Carolina?
The median salary for refuse and recyclable material collectors in North Carolina is $44,670 a year, or $21.48 an hour. Pay ranges from $25,140 for the lowest-paid 10% to $58,570 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid refuse and recyclable material collectors make in North Carolina?
The top 10% of refuse and recyclable material collectors in North Carolina earn at least $58,570 a year. The top 25% earn $49,030 or more.
What is the starting pay for refuse and recyclable material collectors in North Carolina?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $25,140 a year, and a quarter of refuse and recyclable material collectors earn $34,650 or less.
How many refuse and recyclable material collectors work in North Carolina?
About 7,250 refuse and recyclable material collectors are employed in North Carolina, not counting the self-employed.