Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors salary in Athens-Clarke County, GA
Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors in the Athens-Clarke County, GA metro area earn a median of $46,560 a year ($22.39 an hour), based on BLS data for 130 workers.
Pay ranges from $29,120 for the lowest-paid 10% to $60,400 for the top 10%. That is 6% lower than the national median of $49,690. Pay here is 1% lower than the Georgia statewide median of $46,960. There are 1.3 refuse and recyclable material collectors per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $45,250, close to the median.
Pay range for refuse and recyclable material collectors in Athens-Clarke County, GA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $29,120 | $14.00 |
| 25th percentile | $37,740 | $18.14 |
| Median | $46,560 | $22.39 |
| 75th percentile | $50,350 | $24.21 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $60,400 | $29.04 |
| Average (mean) | $45,250 | $21.76 |
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 | $3,880 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,940 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,790.77 |
| Weekly | $895.38 |
| Hourly | $22.39 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $46,560 salary, see how much house you can afford in Georgia at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Albany, GA | $50,010 | 130 |
| Gainesville, GA | $49,580 | 100 |
| Macon-Bibb County, GA | $49,020 | 70 |
| Savannah, GA | $48,770 | 290 |
| Dalton, GA | $48,420 | 40 |
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | $47,840 | 2,950 |
| Valdosta, GA | $46,640 | 60 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $43,250 | 190 |
| Columbus, GA-AL | $37,090 | 50 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $36,090 | 80 |
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 Georgia statewide figures.
Related jobs in Athens-Clarke County, GA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $38,210 | $18.37 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $34,600 | $16.64 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $42,160 | $20.27 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $34,960 | $16.81 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $28,080 | $13.50 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $54,190 | $26.05 |
| Light Truck Driver | $45,800 | $22.02 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $57,770 | $27.77 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $37,080 | $17.83 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $48,630 | $23.38 |
| Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs | $31,240 | $15.02 |
| Automotive and Watercraft Service Attendants | $36,160 | $17.39 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Athens-Clarke County, GA
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 Athens-Clarke County, GA?
The median salary for refuse and recyclable material collectors in the Athens-Clarke County, GA metro area is $46,560 a year, or $22.39 an hour. Pay ranges from $29,120 for the lowest-paid 10% to $60,400 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid refuse and recyclable material collectors make in Athens-Clarke County, GA?
The top 10% of refuse and recyclable material collectors in the Athens-Clarke County, GA metro area earn at least $60,400 a year. The top 25% earn $50,350 or more.
What is the starting pay for refuse and recyclable material collectors in Athens-Clarke County, GA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $29,120 a year, and a quarter of refuse and recyclable material collectors earn $37,740 or less.
How many refuse and recyclable material collectors work in Athens-Clarke County, GA?
About 130 refuse and recyclable material collectors are employed in the Athens-Clarke County, GA metro area, not counting the self-employed.