Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors salary in Rhode Island
Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors in Rhode Island earn a median of $55,970 a year ($26.91 an hour), based on BLS data for 470 workers.
Pay ranges from $34,810 for the lowest-paid 10% to $61,370 for the top 10%. That is 13% higher than the national median of $49,690. Rhode Island ranks 15th of 51 states for refuse and recyclable material collectors pay. There are 0.95 refuse and recyclable material collectors per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $53,190, close to the median.
Pay range for refuse and recyclable material collectors in Rhode Island
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $34,810 | $16.74 |
| 25th percentile | $47,790 | $22.98 |
| Median | $55,970 | $26.91 |
| 75th percentile | $59,970 | $28.83 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $61,370 | $29.51 |
| Average (mean) | $53,190 | $25.57 |
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 | $4,664.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,332.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,152.69 |
| Weekly | $1,076.35 |
| Hourly | $26.91 |
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 Rhode Island
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | $53,510 | 570 |
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 Rhode Island
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $41,690 | $20.05 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $36,470 | $17.53 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $36,730 | $17.66 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $37,340 | $17.95 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $45,010 | $21.64 |
| Crane and Tower Operators | $104,340 | $50.16 |
| Machine Feeders and Offbearers | $32,770 | $15.76 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $60,190 | $28.94 |
| Light Truck Driver | $45,660 | $21.95 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $58,700 | $28.22 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $72,750 | $34.98 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $34,230 | $16.46 |
| Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs | $36,300 | $17.45 |
| Parking Attendant | $34,390 | $16.54 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Rhode Island
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 Rhode Island?
The median salary for refuse and recyclable material collectors in Rhode Island is $55,970 a year, or $26.91 an hour. Pay ranges from $34,810 for the lowest-paid 10% to $61,370 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid refuse and recyclable material collectors make in Rhode Island?
The top 10% of refuse and recyclable material collectors in Rhode Island earn at least $61,370 a year. The top 25% earn $59,970 or more.
What is the starting pay for refuse and recyclable material collectors in Rhode Island?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $34,810 a year, and a quarter of refuse and recyclable material collectors earn $47,790 or less.
How many refuse and recyclable material collectors work in Rhode Island?
About 470 refuse and recyclable material collectors are employed in Rhode Island, not counting the self-employed.