Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors salary in Pennsylvania
Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors in Pennsylvania earn a median of $48,240 a year ($23.19 an hour), based on BLS data for 6,220 workers.
Pay ranges from $31,200 for the lowest-paid 10% to $66,660 for the top 10%. That is 3% lower than the national median of $49,690. Pennsylvania ranks 28th 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 $49,400, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for refuse and recyclable material collectors in Pennsylvania
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $31,200 | $15.00 |
| 25th percentile | $37,440 | $18.00 |
| Median | $48,240 | $23.19 |
| 75th percentile | $61,960 | $29.79 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $66,660 | $32.05 |
| Average (mean) | $49,400 | $23.75 |
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 | $4,020 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,010 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,855.38 |
| Weekly | $927.69 |
| Hourly | $23.19 |
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 Pennsylvania
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $59,730 | 2,610 |
| Chambersburg, PA | $59,380 | 110 |
| Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA | $58,680 | 140 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | $51,610 | 480 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $49,730 | 1,220 |
| State College, PA | $48,940 | 80 |
| York-Hanover, PA | $47,040 | 150 |
| Erie, PA | $46,380 | 170 |
| Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA | $45,960 | 340 |
| Lancaster, PA | $45,540 | 300 |
| Reading, PA | $38,760 | 210 |
| Altoona, PA | $35,930 | 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.
Related jobs in Pennsylvania
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $42,480 | $20.43 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $36,640 | $17.62 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $47,730 | $22.95 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $36,960 | $17.77 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $34,650 | $16.66 |
| Crane and Tower Operators | $65,190 | $31.34 |
| Machine Feeders and Offbearers | $41,220 | $19.82 |
| Wellhead Pumper | $45,490 | $21.87 |
| Conveyor Operators and Tenders | $45,130 | $21.70 |
| Material Moving Workers, All Other | $41,690 | $20.05 |
| Gas Compressor and Gas Pumping Station Operators | $60,170 | $28.93 |
| Pump Operators, Except Wellhead Pumpers | $60,660 | $29.16 |
| Tank Car, Truck, and Ship Loaders | $48,120 | $23.13 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $58,580 | $28.16 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Pennsylvania
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 Pennsylvania?
The median salary for refuse and recyclable material collectors in Pennsylvania is $48,240 a year, or $23.19 an hour. Pay ranges from $31,200 for the lowest-paid 10% to $66,660 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid refuse and recyclable material collectors make in Pennsylvania?
The top 10% of refuse and recyclable material collectors in Pennsylvania earn at least $66,660 a year. The top 25% earn $61,960 or more.
What is the starting pay for refuse and recyclable material collectors in Pennsylvania?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $31,200 a year, and a quarter of refuse and recyclable material collectors earn $37,440 or less.
How many refuse and recyclable material collectors work in Pennsylvania?
About 6,220 refuse and recyclable material collectors are employed in Pennsylvania, not counting the self-employed.