Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors salary in Washington
Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors in Washington earn a median of $74,620 a year ($35.88 an hour), based on BLS data for 3,750 workers.
Pay ranges from $54,070 for the lowest-paid 10% to $88,990 for the top 10%. That is 50% higher than the national median of $49,690. Washington ranks 2nd of 51 states for refuse and recyclable material collectors pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 1.1 refuse and recyclable material collectors per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $71,690, close to the median.
Pay range for refuse and recyclable material collectors in Washington
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $54,070 | $25.99 |
| 25th percentile | $61,700 | $29.66 |
| Median | $74,620 | $35.88 |
| 75th percentile | $80,750 | $38.82 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $88,990 | $42.79 |
| Average (mean) | $71,690 | $34.46 |
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 | $6,218.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,109.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,870 |
| Weekly | $1,435 |
| Hourly | $35.88 |
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 Washington
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA | $76,340 | 130 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $75,090 | 2,100 |
| Kennewick-Richland, WA | $74,180 | 90 |
| Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA | $73,770 | 70 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA | $66,230 | 330 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $65,920 | 1,500 |
| Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA | $65,270 | 60 |
| Yakima, WA | $61,370 | 80 |
| Walla Walla, WA | $60,330 | 50 |
| Wenatchee-East Wenatchee, WA | $57,560 | 30 |
| Lewiston, ID-WA | $55,130 | 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.
Related jobs in Washington
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $44,620 | $21.45 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $46,190 | $22.21 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $49,910 | $24.00 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $39,220 | $18.86 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $40,070 | $19.26 |
| Machine Feeders and Offbearers | $45,600 | $21.92 |
| Crane and Tower Operators | $101,110 | $48.61 |
| Conveyor Operators and Tenders | $43,480 | $20.90 |
| Gas Compressor and Gas Pumping Station Operators | $57,500 | $27.65 |
| Pump Operators, Except Wellhead Pumpers | $57,030 | $27.42 |
| Material Moving Workers, All Other | $71,640 | $34.44 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $64,760 | $31.13 |
| Light Truck Driver | $49,070 | $23.59 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $74,250 | $35.70 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Washington
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 Washington?
The median salary for refuse and recyclable material collectors in Washington is $74,620 a year, or $35.88 an hour. Pay ranges from $54,070 for the lowest-paid 10% to $88,990 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid refuse and recyclable material collectors make in Washington?
The top 10% of refuse and recyclable material collectors in Washington earn at least $88,990 a year. The top 25% earn $80,750 or more.
What is the starting pay for refuse and recyclable material collectors in Washington?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $54,070 a year, and a quarter of refuse and recyclable material collectors earn $61,700 or less.
How many refuse and recyclable material collectors work in Washington?
About 3,750 refuse and recyclable material collectors are employed in Washington, not counting the self-employed.