Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors salary in Rochester, NY
Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors in the Rochester, NY metro area earn a median of $56,080 a year ($26.96 an hour), based on BLS data for 200 workers.
Pay ranges from $36,830 for the lowest-paid 10% to $74,410 for the top 10%. That is 13% higher than the national median of $49,690. Pay here is 14% lower than the New York statewide median of $64,950. There are 0.41 refuse and recyclable material collectors per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.43). The average (mean) salary is $54,680, close to the median.
Pay range for refuse and recyclable material collectors in Rochester, NY
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,830 | $17.71 |
| 25th percentile | $49,540 | $23.82 |
| Median | $56,080 | $26.96 |
| 75th percentile | $56,710 | $27.26 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $74,410 | $35.77 |
| Average (mean) | $54,680 | $26.29 |
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 | $4,673.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,336.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,156.92 |
| Weekly | $1,078.46 |
| Hourly | $26.96 |
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 other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $65,310 | 13,310 |
| Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY | $58,320 | 190 |
| 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 or the New York statewide figures.
Related jobs in Rochester, NY
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $37,940 | $18.24 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $40,050 | $19.26 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $35,210 | $16.93 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $47,210 | $22.70 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $35,180 | $16.91 |
| Machine Feeders and Offbearers | $37,230 | $17.90 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $58,920 | $28.33 |
| Light Truck Driver | $42,090 | $20.23 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $51,780 | $24.89 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $62,740 | $30.16 |
| Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs | $36,220 | $17.42 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $44,760 | $21.52 |
| Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity | $62,420 | $30.01 |
| Automotive and Watercraft Service Attendants | $37,680 | $18.12 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Rochester, NY
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 Rochester, NY?
The median salary for refuse and recyclable material collectors in the Rochester, NY metro area is $56,080 a year, or $26.96 an hour. Pay ranges from $36,830 for the lowest-paid 10% to $74,410 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid refuse and recyclable material collectors make in Rochester, NY?
The top 10% of refuse and recyclable material collectors in the Rochester, NY metro area earn at least $74,410 a year. The top 25% earn $56,710 or more.
What is the starting pay for refuse and recyclable material collectors in Rochester, NY?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $36,830 a year, and a quarter of refuse and recyclable material collectors earn $49,540 or less.
How many refuse and recyclable material collectors work in Rochester, NY?
About 200 refuse and recyclable material collectors are employed in the Rochester, NY metro area, not counting the self-employed.