Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors salary in Tennessee
Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors in Tennessee earn a median of $43,270 a year ($20.80 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,550 workers.
Pay ranges from $28,390 for the lowest-paid 10% to $61,400 for the top 10%. That is 13% lower than the national median of $49,690. Tennessee ranks 41st of 51 states for refuse and recyclable material collectors pay. There are 0.78 refuse and recyclable material collectors per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $44,320, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for refuse and recyclable material collectors in Tennessee
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $28,390 | $13.65 |
| 25th percentile | $35,410 | $17.03 |
| Median | $43,270 | $20.80 |
| 75th percentile | $57,330 | $27.56 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $61,400 | $29.52 |
| Average (mean) | $44,320 | $21.31 |
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 | $3,605.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,802.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,664.23 |
| Weekly | $832.12 |
| Hourly | $20.80 |
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 Tennessee
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $57,650 | 520 |
| Knoxville, TN | $51,030 | 350 |
| Jackson, TN | $50,050 | 100 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $49,670 | 70 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $44,470 | 890 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $44,450 | 90 |
| Morristown, TN | $38,020 | 100 |
| Cleveland, TN | $37,540 | 40 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $36,090 | 80 |
| Johnson City, TN | $28,880 | 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 Tennessee
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $38,160 | $18.35 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $36,140 | $17.38 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $42,100 | $20.24 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $35,980 | $17.30 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $34,950 | $16.80 |
| Conveyor Operators and Tenders | $38,260 | $18.39 |
| Crane and Tower Operators | $59,410 | $28.56 |
| Material Moving Workers, All Other | $37,530 | $18.04 |
| Machine Feeders and Offbearers | $40,400 | $19.42 |
| Pump Operators, Except Wellhead Pumpers | $52,120 | $25.06 |
| Hoist and Winch Operators | $39,930 | $19.20 |
| Gas Compressor and Gas Pumping Station Operators | $45,350 | $21.80 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $58,620 | $28.18 |
| Light Truck Driver | $45,050 | $21.66 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Tennessee
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 Tennessee?
The median salary for refuse and recyclable material collectors in Tennessee is $43,270 a year, or $20.80 an hour. Pay ranges from $28,390 for the lowest-paid 10% to $61,400 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid refuse and recyclable material collectors make in Tennessee?
The top 10% of refuse and recyclable material collectors in Tennessee earn at least $61,400 a year. The top 25% earn $57,330 or more.
What is the starting pay for refuse and recyclable material collectors in Tennessee?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $28,390 a year, and a quarter of refuse and recyclable material collectors earn $35,410 or less.
How many refuse and recyclable material collectors work in Tennessee?
About 2,550 refuse and recyclable material collectors are employed in Tennessee, not counting the self-employed.