Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors salary in Winston-Salem, NC
Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors in the Winston-Salem, NC metro area earn a median of $44,670 a year ($21.48 an hour), based on BLS data for 420 workers.
Pay ranges from $22,060 for the lowest-paid 10% to $58,220 for the top 10%. That is 10% lower than the national median of $49,690. Pay here is about the same as the North Carolina statewide median of $44,670. There are 1.5 refuse and recyclable material collectors per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.6× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $41,770, close to the median.
Pay range for refuse and recyclable material collectors in Winston-Salem, NC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $22,060 | $10.61 |
| 25th percentile | $35,290 | $16.97 |
| Median | $44,670 | $21.48 |
| 75th percentile | $47,560 | $22.86 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $58,220 | $27.99 |
| Average (mean) | $41,770 | $20.08 |
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 | $3,722.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,861.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,718.08 |
| Weekly | $859.04 |
| Hourly | $21.48 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $49,470 | 1,840 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $48,570 | 640 |
| Greenville, NC | $47,830 | 80 |
| Fayetteville, NC | $47,220 | 180 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $47,170 | 820 |
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $46,160 | 230 |
| Asheville, NC | $45,520 | 220 |
| Wilmington, NC | $45,270 | 260 |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | $43,160 | 440 |
| Burlington, NC | $41,030 | 100 |
| Pinehurst-Southern Pines, NC | $37,160 | 70 |
| Jacksonville, NC | $37,020 | 50 |
| Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC | $36,960 | 210 |
| Rocky Mount, NC | $26,580 | 150 |
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 North Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Winston-Salem, NC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $37,160 | $17.87 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $35,080 | $16.86 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $35,050 | $16.85 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $43,100 | $20.72 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $29,580 | $14.22 |
| Machine Feeders and Offbearers | $34,790 | $16.73 |
| Crane and Tower Operators | $67,280 | $32.35 |
| Conveyor Operators and Tenders | $39,360 | $18.93 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $51,320 | $24.67 |
| Light Truck Driver | $38,360 | $18.44 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $61,590 | $29.61 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $26,380 | $12.68 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $36,820 | $17.70 |
| Parking Attendant | $28,310 | $13.61 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Winston-Salem, NC
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 Winston-Salem, NC?
The median salary for refuse and recyclable material collectors in the Winston-Salem, NC metro area is $44,670 a year, or $21.48 an hour. Pay ranges from $22,060 for the lowest-paid 10% to $58,220 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid refuse and recyclable material collectors make in Winston-Salem, NC?
The top 10% of refuse and recyclable material collectors in the Winston-Salem, NC metro area earn at least $58,220 a year. The top 25% earn $47,560 or more.
What is the starting pay for refuse and recyclable material collectors in Winston-Salem, NC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $22,060 a year, and a quarter of refuse and recyclable material collectors earn $35,290 or less.
How many refuse and recyclable material collectors work in Winston-Salem, NC?
About 420 refuse and recyclable material collectors are employed in the Winston-Salem, NC metro area, not counting the self-employed.