Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors salary in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC
Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors in the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC metro area earn a median of $36,960 a year ($17.77 an hour), based on BLS data for 210 workers.
Pay ranges from $21,180 for the lowest-paid 10% to $48,570 for the top 10%. That is 26% lower than the national median of $49,690. Pay here is 17% lower than the North Carolina statewide median of $44,670. There are 1.4 refuse and recyclable material collectors per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $37,400, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for refuse and recyclable material collectors in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $21,180 | $10.18 |
| 25th percentile | $25,910 | $12.46 |
| Median | $36,960 | $17.77 |
| 75th percentile | $48,060 | $23.11 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $48,570 | $23.35 |
| Average (mean) | $37,400 | $17.98 |
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 | $3,080 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,540 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,421.54 |
| Weekly | $710.77 |
| Hourly | $17.77 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $36,960 salary, see how much house you can afford in North Carolina 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $49,470 | 1,840 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $48,570 | 640 |
| Greenville, NC | $47,830 | 80 |
| Fayetteville, NC | $47,220 | 180 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $47,170 | 820 |
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $46,160 | 230 |
| Asheville, NC | $45,520 | 220 |
| Wilmington, NC | $45,270 | 260 |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $44,670 | 420 |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | $43,160 | 440 |
| Burlington, NC | $41,030 | 100 |
| Pinehurst-Southern Pines, NC | $37,160 | 70 |
| Jacksonville, NC | $37,020 | 50 |
| Rocky Mount, NC | $26,580 | 150 |
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 North Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $40,240 | $19.35 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $38,130 | $18.33 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $35,840 | $17.23 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $42,850 | $20.60 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $33,930 | $16.31 |
| Machine Feeders and Offbearers | $36,800 | $17.69 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $57,460 | $27.63 |
| Light Truck Driver | $38,070 | $18.30 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $60,690 | $29.18 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $32,050 | $15.41 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $36,970 | $17.77 |
| Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs | $32,160 | $15.46 |
| Automotive and Watercraft Service Attendants | $34,820 | $16.74 |
| Motor Vehicle Operators, All Other | $28,850 | $13.87 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC
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 Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC?
The median salary for refuse and recyclable material collectors in the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC metro area is $36,960 a year, or $17.77 an hour. Pay ranges from $21,180 for the lowest-paid 10% to $48,570 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid refuse and recyclable material collectors make in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC?
The top 10% of refuse and recyclable material collectors in the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC metro area earn at least $48,570 a year. The top 25% earn $48,060 or more.
What is the starting pay for refuse and recyclable material collectors in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $21,180 a year, and a quarter of refuse and recyclable material collectors earn $25,910 or less.
How many refuse and recyclable material collectors work in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC?
About 210 refuse and recyclable material collectors are employed in the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC metro area, not counting the self-employed.