Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors salary in Auburn-Opelika, AL
Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors in the Auburn-Opelika, AL metro area earn a median of $49,620 a year ($23.86 an hour), based on BLS data for 110 workers.
Pay ranges from $38,730 for the lowest-paid 10% to $62,970 for the top 10%. That is about the same as the national median of $49,690. Pay here is 7% higher than the Alabama statewide median of $46,240. There are 1.6 refuse and recyclable material collectors per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.7× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $50,980, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for refuse and recyclable material collectors in Auburn-Opelika, AL
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $38,730 | $18.62 |
| 25th percentile | $45,680 | $21.96 |
| Median | $49,620 | $23.86 |
| 75th percentile | $59,320 | $28.52 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $62,970 | $30.28 |
| Average (mean) | $50,980 | $24.51 |
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 | $4,135 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,067.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,908.46 |
| Weekly | $954.23 |
| Hourly | $23.86 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $49,620 salary, see how much house you can afford in Alabama 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Huntsville, AL | $51,090 | 210 |
| Mobile, AL | $48,460 | 190 |
| Birmingham, AL | $47,930 | 570 |
| Tuscaloosa, AL | $47,920 | 150 |
| Daphne-Fairhope-Foley, AL | $47,150 | 140 |
| Anniston-Oxford, AL | $46,770 | 50 |
| Decatur, AL | $44,020 | 80 |
| Dothan, AL | $39,350 | 120 |
| Montgomery, AL | $37,630 | 280 |
| Columbus, GA-AL | $37,090 | 50 |
| Florence-Muscle Shoals, AL | $36,280 | 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 Alabama statewide figures.
Related jobs in Auburn-Opelika, AL
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $34,900 | $16.78 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $33,090 | $15.91 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $44,160 | $21.23 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $30,880 | $14.85 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $32,680 | $15.71 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $49,210 | $23.66 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $57,870 | $27.82 |
| Light Truck Driver | $36,960 | $17.77 |
| Automotive and Watercraft Service Attendants | $28,580 | $13.74 |
| Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs | $30,520 | $14.67 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Auburn-Opelika, AL
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 Auburn-Opelika, AL?
The median salary for refuse and recyclable material collectors in the Auburn-Opelika, AL metro area is $49,620 a year, or $23.86 an hour. Pay ranges from $38,730 for the lowest-paid 10% to $62,970 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid refuse and recyclable material collectors make in Auburn-Opelika, AL?
The top 10% of refuse and recyclable material collectors in the Auburn-Opelika, AL metro area earn at least $62,970 a year. The top 25% earn $59,320 or more.
What is the starting pay for refuse and recyclable material collectors in Auburn-Opelika, AL?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $38,730 a year, and a quarter of refuse and recyclable material collectors earn $45,680 or less.
How many refuse and recyclable material collectors work in Auburn-Opelika, AL?
About 110 refuse and recyclable material collectors are employed in the Auburn-Opelika, AL metro area, not counting the self-employed.