Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors salary in Iowa City, IA
Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors in the Iowa City, IA metro area earn a median of $56,810 a year ($27.31 an hour), based on BLS data for 60 workers.
Pay ranges from $39,200 for the lowest-paid 10% to $62,570 for the top 10%. That is 14% higher than the national median of $49,690. Pay here is 14% higher than the Iowa statewide median of $49,850. There are 0.59 refuse and recyclable material collectors per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.62). The average (mean) salary is $53,990, close to the median.
Pay range for refuse and recyclable material collectors in Iowa City, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $39,200 | $18.85 |
| 25th percentile | $48,290 | $23.22 |
| Median | $56,810 | $27.31 |
| 75th percentile | $62,570 | $30.08 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $62,570 | $30.08 |
| Average (mean) | $53,990 | $25.96 |
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 | $4,734.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,367.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,185 |
| Weekly | $1,092.50 |
| Hourly | $27.31 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $56,810 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 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $56,990 | 440 |
| 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 Iowa City, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $36,440 | $17.52 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $38,060 | $18.30 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $36,240 | $17.42 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $37,340 | $17.95 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $46,670 | $22.44 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $61,960 | $29.79 |
| Light Truck Driver | $42,030 | $20.21 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $58,570 | $28.16 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $48,530 | $23.33 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $36,060 | $17.34 |
| Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity | $49,590 | $23.84 |
| Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs | $36,830 | $17.71 |
| Parking Attendant | $31,270 | $15.03 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Iowa City, 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 Iowa City, IA?
The median salary for refuse and recyclable material collectors in the Iowa City, IA metro area is $56,810 a year, or $27.31 an hour. Pay ranges from $39,200 for the lowest-paid 10% to $62,570 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid refuse and recyclable material collectors make in Iowa City, IA?
The top 10% of refuse and recyclable material collectors in the Iowa City, IA metro area earn at least $62,570 a year. The top 25% earn $62,570 or more.
What is the starting pay for refuse and recyclable material collectors in Iowa City, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $39,200 a year, and a quarter of refuse and recyclable material collectors earn $48,290 or less.
How many refuse and recyclable material collectors work in Iowa City, IA?
About 60 refuse and recyclable material collectors are employed in the Iowa City, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.