Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors salary in New Mexico
Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors in New Mexico earn a median of $47,660 a year ($22.92 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,070 workers.
Pay ranges from $34,870 for the lowest-paid 10% to $61,040 for the top 10%. That is 4% lower than the national median of $49,690. New Mexico ranks 30th of 51 states for refuse and recyclable material collectors pay. 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 $46,940, close to the median.
Pay range for refuse and recyclable material collectors in New Mexico
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $34,870 | $16.76 |
| 25th percentile | $41,870 | $20.13 |
| Median | $47,660 | $22.92 |
| 75th percentile | $50,140 | $24.10 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $61,040 | $29.34 |
| Average (mean) | $46,940 | $22.57 |
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 | $3,971.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,985.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,833.08 |
| Weekly | $916.54 |
| Hourly | $22.92 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $47,660 salary, see how much house you can afford in New Mexico at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors salary in cities in New Mexico
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Santa Fe, NM | $47,660 | 60 |
| Albuquerque, NM | $45,960 | 350 |
| Las Cruces, NM | $36,640 | 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.
Related jobs in New Mexico
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $35,830 | $17.22 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $37,230 | $17.90 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $62,150 | $29.88 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $30,310 | $14.57 |
| Wellhead Pumper | $78,010 | $37.50 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $28,070 | $13.50 |
| Crane and Tower Operators | $62,400 | $30.00 |
| Pump Operators, Except Wellhead Pumpers | $58,920 | $28.33 |
| Tank Car, Truck, and Ship Loaders | $48,010 | $23.08 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $50,500 | $24.28 |
| Light Truck Driver | $42,360 | $20.37 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $55,790 | $26.82 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $29,770 | $14.31 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $45,470 | $21.86 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in New Mexico
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 New Mexico?
The median salary for refuse and recyclable material collectors in New Mexico is $47,660 a year, or $22.92 an hour. Pay ranges from $34,870 for the lowest-paid 10% to $61,040 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid refuse and recyclable material collectors make in New Mexico?
The top 10% of refuse and recyclable material collectors in New Mexico earn at least $61,040 a year. The top 25% earn $50,140 or more.
What is the starting pay for refuse and recyclable material collectors in New Mexico?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $34,870 a year, and a quarter of refuse and recyclable material collectors earn $41,870 or less.
How many refuse and recyclable material collectors work in New Mexico?
About 1,070 refuse and recyclable material collectors are employed in New Mexico, not counting the self-employed.