Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors salary in Charleston-North Charleston, SC
Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors in the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro area earn a median of $37,890 a year ($18.22 an hour), based on BLS data for 260 workers.
Pay ranges from $32,720 for the lowest-paid 10% to $60,070 for the top 10%. That is 24% lower than the national median of $49,690. Pay here is 9% higher than the South Carolina statewide median of $34,880. There are 0.67 refuse and recyclable material collectors per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.71). The average (mean) salary is $44,060, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for refuse and recyclable material collectors in Charleston-North Charleston, SC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $32,720 | $15.73 |
| 25th percentile | $37,050 | $17.81 |
| Median | $37,890 | $18.22 |
| 75th percentile | $52,290 | $25.14 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $60,070 | $28.88 |
| Average (mean) | $44,060 | $21.18 |
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 | $3,157.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,578.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,457.31 |
| Weekly | $728.65 |
| Hourly | $18.22 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $37,890 salary, see how much house you can afford in South Carolina 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $49,470 | 1,840 |
| Sumter, SC | $48,160 | 40 |
| Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal, SC | $46,340 | 70 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $43,250 | 190 |
| Spartanburg, SC | $36,880 | 100 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC | $35,840 | 230 |
| Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC | $35,190 | 180 |
| Columbia, SC | $34,800 | 380 |
| Florence, SC | $32,540 | 90 |
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 South Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Charleston-North Charleston, SC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $38,090 | $18.31 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $36,620 | $17.60 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $46,890 | $22.54 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $35,310 | $16.98 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $29,200 | $14.04 |
| Crane and Tower Operators | $80,880 | $38.89 |
| Machine Feeders and Offbearers | $34,400 | $16.54 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $55,150 | $26.52 |
| Light Truck Driver | $38,300 | $18.42 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $63,440 | $30.50 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $46,460 | $22.34 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $36,650 | $17.62 |
| Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs | $36,510 | $17.55 |
| Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels | $91,000 | $43.75 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Charleston-North Charleston, SC
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 Charleston-North Charleston, SC?
The median salary for refuse and recyclable material collectors in the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro area is $37,890 a year, or $18.22 an hour. Pay ranges from $32,720 for the lowest-paid 10% to $60,070 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid refuse and recyclable material collectors make in Charleston-North Charleston, SC?
The top 10% of refuse and recyclable material collectors in the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro area earn at least $60,070 a year. The top 25% earn $52,290 or more.
What is the starting pay for refuse and recyclable material collectors in Charleston-North Charleston, SC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $32,720 a year, and a quarter of refuse and recyclable material collectors earn $37,050 or less.
How many refuse and recyclable material collectors work in Charleston-North Charleston, SC?
About 260 refuse and recyclable material collectors are employed in the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro area, not counting the self-employed.