Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors salary in Lancaster, PA
Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors in the Lancaster, PA metro area earn a median of $45,540 a year ($21.89 an hour), based on BLS data for 300 workers.
Pay ranges from $30,880 for the lowest-paid 10% to $65,640 for the top 10%. That is 8% lower than the national median of $49,690. Pay here is 6% lower than the Pennsylvania statewide median of $48,240. There are 1.2 refuse and recyclable material collectors per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $48,240, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for refuse and recyclable material collectors in Lancaster, PA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $30,880 | $14.85 |
| 25th percentile | $35,460 | $17.05 |
| Median | $45,540 | $21.89 |
| 75th percentile | $63,480 | $30.52 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $65,640 | $31.56 |
| Average (mean) | $48,240 | $23.19 |
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 | $3,795 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,897.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,751.54 |
| Weekly | $875.77 |
| Hourly | $21.89 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $45,540 salary, see how much house you can afford in Pennsylvania 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $59,730 | 2,610 |
| Chambersburg, PA | $59,380 | 110 |
| Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA | $58,680 | 140 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | $51,610 | 480 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $49,730 | 1,220 |
| State College, PA | $48,940 | 80 |
| York-Hanover, PA | $47,040 | 150 |
| Erie, PA | $46,380 | 170 |
| Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA | $45,960 | 340 |
| Reading, PA | $38,760 | 210 |
| Altoona, PA | $35,930 | 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 Pennsylvania statewide figures.
Related jobs in Lancaster, PA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $36,400 | $17.50 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $42,440 | $20.41 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $50,050 | $24.06 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $37,550 | $18.05 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $34,510 | $16.59 |
| Crane and Tower Operators | $72,150 | $34.69 |
| Machine Feeders and Offbearers | $52,770 | $25.37 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $58,350 | $28.05 |
| Light Truck Driver | $43,870 | $21.09 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $62,130 | $29.87 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $46,590 | $22.40 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $38,290 | $18.41 |
| Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs | $32,950 | $15.84 |
| Motor Vehicle Operators, All Other | $32,790 | $15.76 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Lancaster, PA
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 Lancaster, PA?
The median salary for refuse and recyclable material collectors in the Lancaster, PA metro area is $45,540 a year, or $21.89 an hour. Pay ranges from $30,880 for the lowest-paid 10% to $65,640 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid refuse and recyclable material collectors make in Lancaster, PA?
The top 10% of refuse and recyclable material collectors in the Lancaster, PA metro area earn at least $65,640 a year. The top 25% earn $63,480 or more.
What is the starting pay for refuse and recyclable material collectors in Lancaster, PA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $30,880 a year, and a quarter of refuse and recyclable material collectors earn $35,460 or less.
How many refuse and recyclable material collectors work in Lancaster, PA?
About 300 refuse and recyclable material collectors are employed in the Lancaster, PA metro area, not counting the self-employed.