Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors salary in Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA
Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors in the Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA metro area earn a median of $44,450 a year ($21.37 an hour), based on BLS data for 90 workers.
Pay ranges from $27,770 for the lowest-paid 10% to $58,450 for the top 10%. That is 11% lower than the national median of $49,690. Pay here is 3% higher than the Tennessee statewide median of $43,270. There are 0.76 refuse and recyclable material collectors per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.80). The average (mean) salary is $42,760, close to the median.
Pay range for refuse and recyclable material collectors in Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $27,770 | $13.35 |
| 25th percentile | $34,530 | $16.60 |
| Median | $44,450 | $21.37 |
| 75th percentile | $49,220 | $23.66 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $58,450 | $28.10 |
| Average (mean) | $42,760 | $20.56 |
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 | $3,704.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,852.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,709.62 |
| Weekly | $854.81 |
| Hourly | $21.37 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $44,450 salary, see how much house you can afford in Tennessee 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $57,650 | 520 |
| Knoxville, TN | $51,030 | 350 |
| Jackson, TN | $50,050 | 100 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $49,670 | 70 |
| Richmond, VA | $49,150 | 730 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $48,570 | 640 |
| Lynchburg, VA | $47,670 | 90 |
| Staunton-Stuarts Draft, VA | $46,910 | 60 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $46,530 | 3,100 |
| Winchester, VA-WV | $46,280 | 50 |
| Harrisonburg, VA | $45,850 | 130 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $44,470 | 890 |
| Roanoke, VA | $39,070 | 190 |
| Morristown, TN | $38,020 | 100 |
| Charlottesville, VA | $37,540 | 110 |
| Cleveland, TN | $37,540 | 40 |
| Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA | $36,160 | 130 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $36,090 | 80 |
| Johnson City, TN | $28,880 | 60 |
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 Tennessee statewide figures.
Related jobs in Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $35,760 | $17.19 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $35,300 | $16.97 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $40,720 | $19.58 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $36,570 | $17.58 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $29,780 | $14.32 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $54,700 | $26.30 |
| Light Truck Driver | $41,590 | $19.99 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $58,260 | $28.01 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $48,820 | $23.47 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $37,980 | $18.26 |
| Automotive and Watercraft Service Attendants | $29,520 | $14.19 |
| Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs | $29,770 | $14.31 |
| Motor Vehicle Operators, All Other | $29,650 | $14.25 |
| Commercial Pilot | $114,350 | — |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA
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 Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA?
The median salary for refuse and recyclable material collectors in the Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA metro area is $44,450 a year, or $21.37 an hour. Pay ranges from $27,770 for the lowest-paid 10% to $58,450 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid refuse and recyclable material collectors make in Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA?
The top 10% of refuse and recyclable material collectors in the Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA metro area earn at least $58,450 a year. The top 25% earn $49,220 or more.
What is the starting pay for refuse and recyclable material collectors in Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $27,770 a year, and a quarter of refuse and recyclable material collectors earn $34,530 or less.
How many refuse and recyclable material collectors work in Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA?
About 90 refuse and recyclable material collectors are employed in the Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA metro area, not counting the self-employed.