Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors salary in District of Columbia
Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors in District of Columbia earn a median of $55,490 a year ($26.68 an hour), based on BLS data for 540 workers.
Pay ranges from $39,810 for the lowest-paid 10% to $76,020 for the top 10%. That is 12% higher than the national median of $49,690. District of Columbia ranks 16th of 51 states for refuse and recyclable material collectors pay. There are 0.78 refuse and recyclable material collectors per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $55,960, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for refuse and recyclable material collectors in District of Columbia
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $39,810 | $19.14 |
| 25th percentile | $45,740 | $21.99 |
| Median | $55,490 | $26.68 |
| 75th percentile | $63,710 | $30.63 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $76,020 | $36.55 |
| Average (mean) | $55,960 | $26.90 |
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 | $4,624.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,312.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,134.23 |
| Weekly | $1,067.12 |
| Hourly | $26.68 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $55,490 salary, see how much house you can afford in District of Columbia at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors salary in cities in District of Columbia
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $46,530 | 3,100 |
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.
Related jobs in District of Columbia
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $39,640 | $19.06 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $45,740 | $21.99 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $42,710 | $20.53 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $40,910 | $19.67 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $83,720 | $40.25 |
| Parking Attendant | $37,220 | $17.89 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $41,600 | $20.00 |
| Motor Vehicle Operators, All Other | $69,870 | $33.59 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $60,310 | $28.99 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $64,170 | $30.85 |
| Air Traffic Controller | $47,760 | $22.96 |
| Passenger Attendant | $52,730 | $25.35 |
| Light Truck Driver | $49,330 | $23.72 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $55,450 | $26.66 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in District of Columbia
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 District of Columbia?
The median salary for refuse and recyclable material collectors in District of Columbia is $55,490 a year, or $26.68 an hour. Pay ranges from $39,810 for the lowest-paid 10% to $76,020 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid refuse and recyclable material collectors make in District of Columbia?
The top 10% of refuse and recyclable material collectors in District of Columbia earn at least $76,020 a year. The top 25% earn $63,710 or more.
What is the starting pay for refuse and recyclable material collectors in District of Columbia?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $39,810 a year, and a quarter of refuse and recyclable material collectors earn $45,740 or less.
How many refuse and recyclable material collectors work in District of Columbia?
About 540 refuse and recyclable material collectors are employed in District of Columbia, not counting the self-employed.