Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors salary in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY
Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors in the Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY metro area earn a median of $52,340 a year ($25.16 an hour), based on BLS data for 320 workers.
Pay ranges from $34,470 for the lowest-paid 10% to $62,700 for the top 10%. That is 5% higher than the national median of $49,690. Pay here is 19% lower than the New York statewide median of $64,950. There are 0.60 refuse and recyclable material collectors per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.63). The average (mean) salary is $50,560, close to the median.
Pay range for refuse and recyclable material collectors in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $34,470 | $16.57 |
| 25th percentile | $39,580 | $19.03 |
| Median | $52,340 | $25.16 |
| 75th percentile | $58,180 | $27.97 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $62,700 | $30.14 |
| Average (mean) | $50,560 | $24.31 |
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 | $4,361.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,180.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,013.08 |
| Weekly | $1,006.54 |
| Hourly | $25.16 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $52,340 salary, see how much house you can afford in New York 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 |
|---|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $65,310 | 13,310 |
| Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY | $58,320 | 190 |
| Rochester, NY | $56,080 | 200 |
| Watertown-Fort Drum, NY | $51,490 | 30 |
| Ithaca, NY | $51,320 | 50 |
| Syracuse, NY | $49,810 | 130 |
| Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY | $49,580 | 150 |
| Utica-Rome, NY | $47,700 | 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 or the New York statewide figures.
Related jobs in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $37,970 | $18.26 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $43,130 | $20.74 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $34,540 | $16.61 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $47,630 | $22.90 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $35,680 | $17.15 |
| Machine Feeders and Offbearers | $38,560 | $18.54 |
| Crane and Tower Operators | $74,700 | $35.91 |
| Conveyor Operators and Tenders | $42,670 | $20.52 |
| Tank Car, Truck, and Ship Loaders | $50,160 | $24.11 |
| Pump Operators, Except Wellhead Pumpers | $45,620 | $21.93 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $59,440 | $28.58 |
| Light Truck Driver | $42,640 | $20.50 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $51,500 | $24.76 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $61,160 | $29.41 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY
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 Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY?
The median salary for refuse and recyclable material collectors in the Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY metro area is $52,340 a year, or $25.16 an hour. Pay ranges from $34,470 for the lowest-paid 10% to $62,700 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid refuse and recyclable material collectors make in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY?
The top 10% of refuse and recyclable material collectors in the Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY metro area earn at least $62,700 a year. The top 25% earn $58,180 or more.
What is the starting pay for refuse and recyclable material collectors in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $34,470 a year, and a quarter of refuse and recyclable material collectors earn $39,580 or less.
How many refuse and recyclable material collectors work in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY?
About 320 refuse and recyclable material collectors are employed in the Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY metro area, not counting the self-employed.