Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors salary in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn a median of $56,990 a year ($27.40 an hour), based on BLS data for 440 workers.
Pay ranges from $40,720 for the lowest-paid 10% to $74,080 for the top 10%. That is 15% higher than the national median of $49,690. Pay here is 14% higher than the Iowa statewide median of $49,850. There are 1.1 refuse and recyclable material collectors per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $55,030, close to the median.
Pay range for refuse and recyclable material collectors in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $40,720 | $19.58 |
| 25th percentile | $47,650 | $22.91 |
| Median | $56,990 | $27.40 |
| 75th percentile | $58,050 | $27.91 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $74,080 | $35.62 |
| Average (mean) | $55,030 | $26.46 |
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 | $4,749.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,374.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,191.92 |
| Weekly | $1,095.96 |
| Hourly | $27.40 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $56,990 salary, see how much house you can afford in Iowa 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 |
| Iowa City, IA | $56,810 | 60 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | $51,530 | 280 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $50,820 | 140 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $50,770 | 140 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $47,830 | 70 |
| Ames, IA | $47,810 | 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 Iowa statewide figures.
Related jobs in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $36,800 | $17.69 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $46,370 | $22.29 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $49,080 | $23.60 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $36,770 | $17.68 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $37,540 | $18.05 |
| Crane and Tower Operators | $75,760 | $36.42 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $60,720 | $29.19 |
| Light Truck Driver | $43,200 | $20.77 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $61,340 | $29.49 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $46,330 | $22.27 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $46,210 | $22.22 |
| Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs | $34,680 | $16.68 |
| Parking Attendant | $30,080 | $14.46 |
| Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity | $58,930 | $28.33 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
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 Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
The median salary for refuse and recyclable material collectors in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area is $56,990 a year, or $27.40 an hour. Pay ranges from $40,720 for the lowest-paid 10% to $74,080 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid refuse and recyclable material collectors make in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
The top 10% of refuse and recyclable material collectors in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn at least $74,080 a year. The top 25% earn $58,050 or more.
What is the starting pay for refuse and recyclable material collectors in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $40,720 a year, and a quarter of refuse and recyclable material collectors earn $47,650 or less.
How many refuse and recyclable material collectors work in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
About 440 refuse and recyclable material collectors are employed in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.