Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors salary in Tucson, AZ
Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors in the Tucson, AZ metro area earn a median of $38,630 a year ($18.57 an hour), based on BLS data for 190 workers.
Pay ranges from $30,830 for the lowest-paid 10% to $72,860 for the top 10%. That is 22% lower than the national median of $49,690. Pay here is 18% lower than the Arizona statewide median of $46,910. There are 0.48 refuse and recyclable material collectors per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.51). The average (mean) salary is $45,530, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for refuse and recyclable material collectors in Tucson, AZ
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $30,830 | $14.82 |
| 25th percentile | $34,480 | $16.58 |
| Median | $38,630 | $18.57 |
| 75th percentile | $56,530 | $27.18 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $72,860 | $35.03 |
| Average (mean) | $45,530 | $21.89 |
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 | $3,219.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,609.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,485.77 |
| Weekly | $742.88 |
| Hourly | $18.57 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ | $47,460 | 1,780 |
| Prescott Valley-Prescott, AZ | $46,400 | 60 |
| Lake Havasu City-Kingman, AZ | $46,160 | 30 |
| Sierra Vista-Douglas, AZ | $37,320 | 40 |
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 Arizona statewide figures.
Related jobs in Tucson, AZ
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $42,940 | $20.65 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $35,960 | $17.29 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $45,630 | $21.94 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $33,360 | $16.04 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $38,180 | $18.36 |
| Crane and Tower Operators | $64,750 | $31.13 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $56,640 | $27.23 |
| Light Truck Driver | $43,260 | $20.80 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $30,730 | $14.78 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $58,540 | $28.14 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $43,990 | $21.15 |
| Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs | $33,620 | $16.17 |
| Parking Attendant | $31,530 | $15.16 |
| Automotive and Watercraft Service Attendants | $35,180 | $16.91 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Tucson, AZ
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 Tucson, AZ?
The median salary for refuse and recyclable material collectors in the Tucson, AZ metro area is $38,630 a year, or $18.57 an hour. Pay ranges from $30,830 for the lowest-paid 10% to $72,860 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid refuse and recyclable material collectors make in Tucson, AZ?
The top 10% of refuse and recyclable material collectors in the Tucson, AZ metro area earn at least $72,860 a year. The top 25% earn $56,530 or more.
What is the starting pay for refuse and recyclable material collectors in Tucson, AZ?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $30,830 a year, and a quarter of refuse and recyclable material collectors earn $34,480 or less.
How many refuse and recyclable material collectors work in Tucson, AZ?
About 190 refuse and recyclable material collectors are employed in the Tucson, AZ metro area, not counting the self-employed.