Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors salary in Wisconsin
Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors in Wisconsin earn a median of $59,810 a year ($28.76 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,550 workers.
Pay ranges from $33,360 for the lowest-paid 10% to $64,200 for the top 10%. That is 20% higher than the national median of $49,690. Wisconsin ranks 10th of 51 states for refuse and recyclable material collectors pay. There are 0.53 refuse and recyclable material collectors per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.55). The average (mean) salary is $55,090, close to the median.
Pay range for refuse and recyclable material collectors in Wisconsin
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $33,360 | $16.04 |
| 25th percentile | $48,440 | $23.29 |
| Median | $59,810 | $28.76 |
| 75th percentile | $63,430 | $30.49 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $64,200 | $30.87 |
| Average (mean) | $55,090 | $26.49 |
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 | $4,984.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,492.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,300.38 |
| Weekly | $1,150.19 |
| Hourly | $28.76 |
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 Wisconsin
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $64,410 | 1,550 |
| Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI | $63,640 | 410 |
| Janesville-Beloit, WI | $61,680 | 90 |
| Duluth, MN-WI | $61,020 | 120 |
| Kenosha, WI | $60,400 | 50 |
| Madison, WI | $59,810 | 60 |
| Eau Claire, WI | $58,880 | 70 |
| La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN | $50,030 | 40 |
| Green Bay, WI | $48,000 | 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 Wisconsin
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $44,610 | $21.45 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $35,000 | $16.83 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $36,010 | $17.31 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $47,720 | $22.94 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $35,280 | $16.96 |
| Material Moving Workers, All Other | $35,580 | $17.10 |
| Machine Feeders and Offbearers | $55,120 | $26.50 |
| Conveyor Operators and Tenders | $39,550 | $19.01 |
| Crane and Tower Operators | $67,720 | $32.56 |
| Tank Car, Truck, and Ship Loaders | $57,250 | $27.52 |
| Hoist and Winch Operators | $36,560 | $17.58 |
| Pump Operators, Except Wellhead Pumpers | $60,320 | $29.00 |
| Dredge Operator | $54,310 | $26.11 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $58,610 | $28.18 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Wisconsin
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 Wisconsin?
The median salary for refuse and recyclable material collectors in Wisconsin is $59,810 a year, or $28.76 an hour. Pay ranges from $33,360 for the lowest-paid 10% to $64,200 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid refuse and recyclable material collectors make in Wisconsin?
The top 10% of refuse and recyclable material collectors in Wisconsin earn at least $64,200 a year. The top 25% earn $63,430 or more.
What is the starting pay for refuse and recyclable material collectors in Wisconsin?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $33,360 a year, and a quarter of refuse and recyclable material collectors earn $48,440 or less.
How many refuse and recyclable material collectors work in Wisconsin?
About 1,550 refuse and recyclable material collectors are employed in Wisconsin, not counting the self-employed.