Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors salary in Louisiana
Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors in Louisiana earn a median of $38,810 a year ($18.66 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,200 workers.
Pay ranges from $27,840 for the lowest-paid 10% to $59,010 for the top 10%. That is 22% lower than the national median of $49,690. Louisiana ranks 46th of 51 states for refuse and recyclable material collectors pay. There are 1.1 refuse and recyclable material collectors per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $41,900, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for refuse and recyclable material collectors in Louisiana
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $27,840 | $13.39 |
| 25th percentile | $34,110 | $16.40 |
| Median | $38,810 | $18.66 |
| 75th percentile | $49,270 | $23.69 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $59,010 | $28.37 |
| Average (mean) | $41,900 | $20.14 |
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 | $3,234.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,617.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,492.69 |
| Weekly | $746.35 |
| Hourly | $18.66 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $38,810 salary, see how much house you can afford in Louisiana at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors salary in cities in Louisiana
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Baton Rouge, LA | $44,300 | 390 |
| Shreveport-Bossier City, LA | $42,120 | 160 |
| Slidell-Mandeville-Covington, LA | $39,900 | 170 |
| New Orleans-Metairie, LA | $39,040 | 560 |
| Lake Charles, LA | $38,330 | 90 |
| Hammond, LA | $37,920 | 40 |
| Monroe, LA | $37,190 | 80 |
| Lafayette, LA | $36,470 | 180 |
| Alexandria, LA | $35,500 | 70 |
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 Louisiana
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $35,340 | $16.99 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $34,490 | $16.58 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $48,950 | $23.54 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $27,600 | $13.27 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $27,710 | $13.32 |
| Crane and Tower Operators | $61,170 | $29.41 |
| Pump Operators, Except Wellhead Pumpers | $64,110 | $30.82 |
| Tank Car, Truck, and Ship Loaders | $58,900 | $28.32 |
| Conveyor Operators and Tenders | $54,590 | $26.25 |
| Machine Feeders and Offbearers | $43,370 | $20.85 |
| Wellhead Pumper | $76,930 | $36.99 |
| Gas Compressor and Gas Pumping Station Operators | $79,970 | $38.45 |
| Dredge Operator | $48,590 | $23.36 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $49,320 | $23.71 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Louisiana
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 Louisiana?
The median salary for refuse and recyclable material collectors in Louisiana is $38,810 a year, or $18.66 an hour. Pay ranges from $27,840 for the lowest-paid 10% to $59,010 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid refuse and recyclable material collectors make in Louisiana?
The top 10% of refuse and recyclable material collectors in Louisiana earn at least $59,010 a year. The top 25% earn $49,270 or more.
What is the starting pay for refuse and recyclable material collectors in Louisiana?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $27,840 a year, and a quarter of refuse and recyclable material collectors earn $34,110 or less.
How many refuse and recyclable material collectors work in Louisiana?
About 2,200 refuse and recyclable material collectors are employed in Louisiana, not counting the self-employed.