Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors salary in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn a median of $77,470 a year ($37.24 an hour), based on BLS data for 3,330 workers.
Pay ranges from $39,780 for the lowest-paid 10% to $89,090 for the top 10%. That is 56% higher than the national median of $49,690. Pay here is 3% higher than the Illinois statewide median of $75,050. There are 0.74 refuse and recyclable material collectors per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.78). The average (mean) salary is $71,570, close to the median.
Pay range for refuse and recyclable material collectors in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $39,780 | $19.13 |
| 25th percentile | $62,280 | $29.94 |
| Median | $77,470 | $37.24 |
| 75th percentile | $86,460 | $41.57 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $89,090 | $42.83 |
| Average (mean) | $71,570 | $34.41 |
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 | $6,455.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,227.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,979.62 |
| Weekly | $1,489.81 |
| Hourly | $37.24 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $77,470 salary, see how much house you can afford in Illinois 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $75,440 | 750 |
| Muncie, IN | $60,940 | 30 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $60,750 | 970 |
| Springfield, IL | $60,570 | 80 |
| South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI | $60,080 | 100 |
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | $59,710 | 1,030 |
| Peoria, IL | $59,070 | 60 |
| Fort Wayne, IN | $58,650 | 170 |
| Evansville, IN | $57,750 | 120 |
| Terre Haute, IN | $57,010 | 80 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $51,080 | 500 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $49,940 | 950 |
| Paducah, KY-IL | $48,460 | 40 |
| Champaign-Urbana, IL | $40,650 | 40 |
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 Illinois statewide figures.
Related jobs in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $40,550 | $19.50 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $38,450 | $18.48 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $47,950 | $23.05 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $36,180 | $17.40 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $36,580 | $17.59 |
| Crane and Tower Operators | $55,890 | $26.87 |
| Tank Car, Truck, and Ship Loaders | $61,420 | $29.53 |
| Hoist and Winch Operators | $118,210 | $56.83 |
| Conveyor Operators and Tenders | $45,570 | $21.91 |
| Material Moving Workers, All Other | $39,870 | $19.17 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $62,300 | $29.95 |
| Light Truck Driver | $47,950 | $23.05 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $68,330 | $32.85 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $49,180 | $23.64 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
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 Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
The median salary for refuse and recyclable material collectors in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $77,470 a year, or $37.24 an hour. Pay ranges from $39,780 for the lowest-paid 10% to $89,090 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid refuse and recyclable material collectors make in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
The top 10% of refuse and recyclable material collectors in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn at least $89,090 a year. The top 25% earn $86,460 or more.
What is the starting pay for refuse and recyclable material collectors in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $39,780 a year, and a quarter of refuse and recyclable material collectors earn $62,280 or less.
How many refuse and recyclable material collectors work in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
About 3,330 refuse and recyclable material collectors are employed in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area, not counting the self-employed.