Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors salary in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI
Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors in the Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI metro area earn a median of $63,640 a year ($30.60 an hour), based on BLS data for 410 workers.
Pay ranges from $33,630 for the lowest-paid 10% to $64,200 for the top 10%. That is 28% higher than the national median of $49,690. Pay here is 6% higher than the Wisconsin statewide median of $59,810. There are 0.50 refuse and recyclable material collectors per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.53). The average (mean) salary is $57,730, close to the median.
Pay range for refuse and recyclable material collectors in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $33,630 | $16.17 |
| 25th percentile | $58,470 | $28.11 |
| Median | $63,640 | $30.60 |
| 75th percentile | $64,050 | $30.79 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $64,200 | $30.87 |
| Average (mean) | $57,730 | $27.76 |
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 | $5,303.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,651.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,447.69 |
| Weekly | $1,223.85 |
| Hourly | $30.60 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $63,640 salary, see how much house you can afford in Wisconsin 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $64,410 | 1,550 |
| Janesville-Beloit, WI | $61,680 | 90 |
| Duluth, MN-WI | $61,020 | 120 |
| Kenosha, WI | $60,400 | 50 |
| Madison, WI | $59,810 | 60 |
| Eau Claire, WI | $58,880 | 70 |
| La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN | $50,030 | 40 |
| Green Bay, WI | $48,000 | 40 |
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 Wisconsin statewide figures.
Related jobs in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $44,840 | $21.56 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $34,470 | $16.57 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $35,070 | $16.86 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $47,780 | $22.97 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $35,080 | $16.87 |
| Crane and Tower Operators | $59,430 | $28.57 |
| Machine Feeders and Offbearers | $59,870 | $28.79 |
| Material Moving Workers, All Other | $35,390 | $17.02 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $59,580 | $28.64 |
| Light Truck Driver | $45,790 | $22.01 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $22,350 | $10.75 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $64,100 | $30.82 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $48,290 | $23.21 |
| Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs | $35,940 | $17.28 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI
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 Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI?
The median salary for refuse and recyclable material collectors in the Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI metro area is $63,640 a year, or $30.60 an hour. Pay ranges from $33,630 for the lowest-paid 10% to $64,200 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid refuse and recyclable material collectors make in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI?
The top 10% of refuse and recyclable material collectors in the Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI metro area earn at least $64,200 a year. The top 25% earn $64,050 or more.
What is the starting pay for refuse and recyclable material collectors in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $33,630 a year, and a quarter of refuse and recyclable material collectors earn $58,470 or less.
How many refuse and recyclable material collectors work in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI?
About 410 refuse and recyclable material collectors are employed in the Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI metro area, not counting the self-employed.