Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors salary in Columbus, GA-AL
Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors in the Columbus, GA-AL metro area earn a median of $37,090 a year ($17.83 an hour), based on BLS data for 50 workers.
Pay ranges from $31,770 for the lowest-paid 10% to $47,210 for the top 10%. That is 25% lower than the national median of $49,690. Pay here is 21% lower than the Georgia statewide median of $46,960. There are 0.44 refuse and recyclable material collectors per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.46). The average (mean) salary is $39,000, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for refuse and recyclable material collectors in Columbus, GA-AL
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $31,770 | $15.28 |
| 25th percentile | $34,320 | $16.50 |
| Median | $37,090 | $17.83 |
| 75th percentile | $43,880 | $21.10 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $47,210 | $22.70 |
| Average (mean) | $39,000 | $18.75 |
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 | $3,090.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,545.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,426.54 |
| Weekly | $713.27 |
| Hourly | $17.83 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $37,090 salary, see how much house you can afford in Georgia 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 |
| Albany, GA | $50,010 | 130 |
| Auburn-Opelika, AL | $49,620 | 110 |
| Gainesville, GA | $49,580 | 100 |
| Macon-Bibb County, GA | $49,020 | 70 |
| Savannah, GA | $48,770 | 290 |
| Mobile, AL | $48,460 | 190 |
| Dalton, GA | $48,420 | 40 |
| Birmingham, AL | $47,930 | 570 |
| Tuscaloosa, AL | $47,920 | 150 |
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | $47,840 | 2,950 |
| Daphne-Fairhope-Foley, AL | $47,150 | 140 |
| Anniston-Oxford, AL | $46,770 | 50 |
| Valdosta, GA | $46,640 | 60 |
| Athens-Clarke County, GA | $46,560 | 130 |
| Decatur, AL | $44,020 | 80 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $43,250 | 190 |
| Dothan, AL | $39,350 | 120 |
| Montgomery, AL | $37,630 | 280 |
| Florence-Muscle Shoals, AL | $36,280 | 80 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $36,090 | 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 Georgia statewide figures.
Related jobs in Columbus, GA-AL
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $36,910 | $17.75 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $31,690 | $15.23 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $37,450 | $18.01 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $27,320 | $13.13 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $29,000 | $13.94 |
| Machine Feeders and Offbearers | $39,450 | $18.97 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $47,570 | $22.87 |
| Light Truck Driver | $36,330 | $17.47 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $44,950 | $21.61 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $59,090 | $28.41 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $39,050 | $18.77 |
| Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs | $42,890 | $20.62 |
| Automotive and Watercraft Service Attendants | $29,170 | $14.02 |
| Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity | $47,570 | $22.87 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Columbus, GA-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 Columbus, GA-AL?
The median salary for refuse and recyclable material collectors in the Columbus, GA-AL metro area is $37,090 a year, or $17.83 an hour. Pay ranges from $31,770 for the lowest-paid 10% to $47,210 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid refuse and recyclable material collectors make in Columbus, GA-AL?
The top 10% of refuse and recyclable material collectors in the Columbus, GA-AL metro area earn at least $47,210 a year. The top 25% earn $43,880 or more.
What is the starting pay for refuse and recyclable material collectors in Columbus, GA-AL?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $31,770 a year, and a quarter of refuse and recyclable material collectors earn $34,320 or less.
How many refuse and recyclable material collectors work in Columbus, GA-AL?
About 50 refuse and recyclable material collectors are employed in the Columbus, GA-AL metro area, not counting the self-employed.