Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors salary in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI
Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors in the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI metro area earn a median of $51,070 a year ($24.55 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,900 workers.
Pay ranges from $34,150 for the lowest-paid 10% to $79,650 for the top 10%. That is 3% higher than the national median of $49,690. Pay here is about the same as the Michigan statewide median of $51,030. There are 1.00 refuse and recyclable material collectors per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $52,730, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for refuse and recyclable material collectors in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $34,150 | $16.42 |
| 25th percentile | $37,510 | $18.03 |
| Median | $51,070 | $24.55 |
| 75th percentile | $61,760 | $29.69 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $79,650 | $38.30 |
| Average (mean) | $52,730 | $25.35 |
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 | $4,255.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,127.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,964.23 |
| Weekly | $982.12 |
| Hourly | $24.55 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $51,070 salary, see how much house you can afford in Michigan 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 |
|---|---|---|
| South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI | $60,080 | 100 |
| Saginaw, MI | $59,620 | 40 |
| Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI | $50,980 | 340 |
| Traverse City, MI | $49,450 | 260 |
| Lansing-East Lansing, MI | $49,440 | 250 |
| Flint, MI | $48,270 | 170 |
| Monroe, MI | $48,160 | 200 |
| Muskegon-Norton Shores, MI | $46,640 | 60 |
| Ann Arbor, MI | $46,310 | 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 Michigan statewide figures.
Related jobs in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $36,720 | $17.66 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $40,330 | $19.39 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $46,550 | $22.38 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $36,120 | $17.37 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $34,780 | $16.72 |
| Crane and Tower Operators | $59,740 | $28.72 |
| Machine Feeders and Offbearers | $46,310 | $22.26 |
| Conveyor Operators and Tenders | $38,330 | $18.43 |
| Tank Car, Truck, and Ship Loaders | $60,440 | $29.06 |
| Material Moving Workers, All Other | $44,270 | $21.28 |
| Hoist and Winch Operators | $35,410 | $17.03 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $59,120 | $28.43 |
| Light Truck Driver | $44,200 | $21.25 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $61,670 | $29.65 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI
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 Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI?
The median salary for refuse and recyclable material collectors in the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI metro area is $51,070 a year, or $24.55 an hour. Pay ranges from $34,150 for the lowest-paid 10% to $79,650 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid refuse and recyclable material collectors make in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI?
The top 10% of refuse and recyclable material collectors in the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI metro area earn at least $79,650 a year. The top 25% earn $61,760 or more.
What is the starting pay for refuse and recyclable material collectors in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $34,150 a year, and a quarter of refuse and recyclable material collectors earn $37,510 or less.
How many refuse and recyclable material collectors work in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI?
About 1,900 refuse and recyclable material collectors are employed in the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI metro area, not counting the self-employed.