Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors salary in Chattanooga, TN-GA
Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area earn a median of $36,090 a year ($17.35 an hour), based on BLS data for 80 workers.
Pay ranges from $28,670 for the lowest-paid 10% to $59,230 for the top 10%. That is 27% lower than the national median of $49,690. Pay here is 17% lower than the Tennessee statewide median of $43,270. There are 0.29 refuse and recyclable material collectors per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.31). The average (mean) salary is $40,650, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for refuse and recyclable material collectors in Chattanooga, TN-GA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $28,670 | $13.79 |
| 25th percentile | $34,570 | $16.62 |
| Median | $36,090 | $17.35 |
| 75th percentile | $50,680 | $24.37 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $59,230 | $28.47 |
| Average (mean) | $40,650 | $19.54 |
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 | $3,007.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,503.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,388.08 |
| Weekly | $694.04 |
| Hourly | $17.35 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $36,090 salary, see how much house you can afford in Tennessee 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $57,650 | 520 |
| Knoxville, TN | $51,030 | 350 |
| Jackson, TN | $50,050 | 100 |
| Albany, GA | $50,010 | 130 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $49,670 | 70 |
| 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 |
| Athens-Clarke County, GA | $46,560 | 130 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $44,470 | 890 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $44,450 | 90 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $43,250 | 190 |
| Morristown, TN | $38,020 | 100 |
| Cleveland, TN | $37,540 | 40 |
| Columbus, GA-AL | $37,090 | 50 |
| Johnson City, TN | $28,880 | 60 |
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 Tennessee statewide figures.
Related jobs in Chattanooga, TN-GA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $37,830 | $18.19 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $34,410 | $16.54 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $40,260 | $19.36 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $35,180 | $16.92 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $31,270 | $15.03 |
| Crane and Tower Operators | $45,280 | $21.77 |
| Conveyor Operators and Tenders | $49,910 | $24.00 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $57,440 | $27.62 |
| Light Truck Driver | $49,990 | $24.03 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $62,270 | $29.94 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $42,460 | $20.42 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $38,050 | $18.29 |
| Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs | $30,180 | $14.51 |
| Automotive and Watercraft Service Attendants | $30,120 | $14.48 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Chattanooga, TN-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 Chattanooga, TN-GA?
The median salary for refuse and recyclable material collectors in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area is $36,090 a year, or $17.35 an hour. Pay ranges from $28,670 for the lowest-paid 10% to $59,230 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid refuse and recyclable material collectors make in Chattanooga, TN-GA?
The top 10% of refuse and recyclable material collectors in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area earn at least $59,230 a year. The top 25% earn $50,680 or more.
What is the starting pay for refuse and recyclable material collectors in Chattanooga, TN-GA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $28,670 a year, and a quarter of refuse and recyclable material collectors earn $34,570 or less.
How many refuse and recyclable material collectors work in Chattanooga, TN-GA?
About 80 refuse and recyclable material collectors are employed in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area, not counting the self-employed.