Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors salary in Virginia
Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors in Virginia earn a median of $46,530 a year ($22.37 an hour), based on BLS data for 4,330 workers.
Pay ranges from $28,120 for the lowest-paid 10% to $61,040 for the top 10%. That is 6% lower than the national median of $49,690. Virginia ranks 34th of 51 states for refuse and recyclable material collectors pay. There are 1.1 refuse and recyclable material collectors per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $46,100, close to the median.
Pay range for refuse and recyclable material collectors in Virginia
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $28,120 | $13.52 |
| 25th percentile | $34,230 | $16.46 |
| Median | $46,530 | $22.37 |
| 75th percentile | $57,430 | $27.61 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $61,040 | $29.35 |
| Average (mean) | $46,100 | $22.16 |
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 | $3,877.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,938.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,789.62 |
| Weekly | $894.81 |
| Hourly | $22.37 |
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 Virginia
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Richmond, VA | $49,150 | 730 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $48,570 | 640 |
| Lynchburg, VA | $47,670 | 90 |
| Staunton-Stuarts Draft, VA | $46,910 | 60 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $46,530 | 3,100 |
| Winchester, VA-WV | $46,280 | 50 |
| Harrisonburg, VA | $45,850 | 130 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $44,450 | 90 |
| Roanoke, VA | $39,070 | 190 |
| Charlottesville, VA | $37,540 | 110 |
| Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA | $36,160 | 130 |
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 Virginia
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $36,380 | $17.49 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $39,380 | $18.94 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $46,920 | $22.56 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $34,450 | $16.56 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $35,000 | $16.83 |
| Machine Feeders and Offbearers | $36,290 | $17.45 |
| Crane and Tower Operators | $66,600 | $32.02 |
| Conveyor Operators and Tenders | $39,840 | $19.15 |
| Material Moving Workers, All Other | $49,770 | $23.93 |
| Pump Operators, Except Wellhead Pumpers | $66,500 | $31.97 |
| Tank Car, Truck, and Ship Loaders | $41,190 | $19.81 |
| Gas Compressor and Gas Pumping Station Operators | $64,990 | $31.25 |
| Hoist and Winch Operators | $37,020 | $17.80 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $56,860 | $27.34 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Virginia
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 Virginia?
The median salary for refuse and recyclable material collectors in Virginia is $46,530 a year, or $22.37 an hour. Pay ranges from $28,120 for the lowest-paid 10% to $61,040 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid refuse and recyclable material collectors make in Virginia?
The top 10% of refuse and recyclable material collectors in Virginia earn at least $61,040 a year. The top 25% earn $57,430 or more.
What is the starting pay for refuse and recyclable material collectors in Virginia?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $28,120 a year, and a quarter of refuse and recyclable material collectors earn $34,230 or less.
How many refuse and recyclable material collectors work in Virginia?
About 4,330 refuse and recyclable material collectors are employed in Virginia, not counting the self-employed.