Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors salary in Arkansas
Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors in Arkansas earn a median of $35,640 a year ($17.13 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,600 workers.
Pay ranges from $26,590 for the lowest-paid 10% to $51,570 for the top 10%. That is 28% lower than the national median of $49,690. Arkansas ranks 49th of 51 states for refuse and recyclable material collectors pay. There are 1.2 refuse and recyclable material collectors per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $37,250, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for refuse and recyclable material collectors in Arkansas
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $26,590 | $12.78 |
| 25th percentile | $29,320 | $14.09 |
| Median | $35,640 | $17.13 |
| 75th percentile | $41,420 | $19.92 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $51,570 | $24.80 |
| Average (mean) | $37,250 | $17.91 |
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 | $2,970 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,485 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,370.77 |
| Weekly | $685.38 |
| Hourly | $17.13 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $35,640 salary, see how much house you can afford in Arkansas at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors salary in cities in Arkansas
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $44,470 | 890 |
| Fort Smith, AR-OK | $41,420 | 130 |
| Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR | $40,540 | 180 |
| Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR | $38,200 | 320 |
| Texarkana, TX-AR | $36,890 | 30 |
| Jonesboro, AR | $35,330 | 50 |
| Hot Springs, AR | $30,460 | 50 |
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 Arkansas
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $34,700 | $16.68 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $35,920 | $17.27 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $43,780 | $21.05 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $34,970 | $16.81 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $33,930 | $16.31 |
| Machine Feeders and Offbearers | $45,250 | $21.75 |
| Crane and Tower Operators | $41,600 | $20.00 |
| Conveyor Operators and Tenders | $36,940 | $17.76 |
| Tank Car, Truck, and Ship Loaders | $33,800 | $16.25 |
| Wellhead Pumper | $64,650 | $31.08 |
| Material Moving Workers, All Other | $35,650 | $17.14 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $51,550 | $24.79 |
| Light Truck Driver | $37,080 | $17.83 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $56,810 | $27.31 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Arkansas
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 Arkansas?
The median salary for refuse and recyclable material collectors in Arkansas is $35,640 a year, or $17.13 an hour. Pay ranges from $26,590 for the lowest-paid 10% to $51,570 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid refuse and recyclable material collectors make in Arkansas?
The top 10% of refuse and recyclable material collectors in Arkansas earn at least $51,570 a year. The top 25% earn $41,420 or more.
What is the starting pay for refuse and recyclable material collectors in Arkansas?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $26,590 a year, and a quarter of refuse and recyclable material collectors earn $29,320 or less.
How many refuse and recyclable material collectors work in Arkansas?
About 1,600 refuse and recyclable material collectors are employed in Arkansas, not counting the self-employed.