Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors salary in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA
Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metro area earn a median of $50,770 a year ($24.41 an hour), based on BLS data for 140 workers.
Pay ranges from $39,320 for the lowest-paid 10% to $64,730 for the top 10%. That is 2% higher than the national median of $49,690. Pay here is 2% higher than the Iowa statewide median of $49,850. There are 1.7 refuse and recyclable material collectors per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.8× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $51,550, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for refuse and recyclable material collectors in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $39,320 | $18.90 |
| 25th percentile | $47,360 | $22.77 |
| Median | $50,770 | $24.41 |
| 75th percentile | $56,450 | $27.14 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $64,730 | $31.12 |
| Average (mean) | $51,550 | $24.78 |
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 | $4,230.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,115.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,952.69 |
| Weekly | $976.35 |
| Hourly | $24.41 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $75,440 | 750 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $56,990 | 440 |
| Iowa City, IA | $56,810 | 60 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | $51,530 | 280 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $50,820 | 140 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $47,830 | 70 |
| Ames, IA | $47,810 | 90 |
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 Iowa statewide figures.
Related jobs in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $47,440 | $22.81 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $36,990 | $17.78 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $43,670 | $20.99 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $35,460 | $17.05 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $36,010 | $17.31 |
| Crane and Tower Operators | $60,110 | $28.90 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $58,730 | $28.23 |
| Light Truck Driver | $41,150 | $19.78 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $59,660 | $28.68 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $44,920 | $21.60 |
| Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs | $36,160 | $17.38 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $47,100 | $22.65 |
| Parking Attendant | $31,010 | $14.91 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA
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 Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?
The median salary for refuse and recyclable material collectors in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metro area is $50,770 a year, or $24.41 an hour. Pay ranges from $39,320 for the lowest-paid 10% to $64,730 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid refuse and recyclable material collectors make in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?
The top 10% of refuse and recyclable material collectors in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metro area earn at least $64,730 a year. The top 25% earn $56,450 or more.
What is the starting pay for refuse and recyclable material collectors in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $39,320 a year, and a quarter of refuse and recyclable material collectors earn $47,360 or less.
How many refuse and recyclable material collectors work in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?
About 140 refuse and recyclable material collectors are employed in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.