Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors salary in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ
Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors in the Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ metro area earn a median of $47,460 a year ($22.82 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,780 workers.
Pay ranges from $33,860 for the lowest-paid 10% to $77,430 for the top 10%. That is 4% lower than the national median of $49,690. Pay here is 1% higher than the Arizona statewide median of $46,910. There are 0.75 refuse and recyclable material collectors per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.79). The average (mean) salary is $49,520, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for refuse and recyclable material collectors in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $33,860 | $16.28 |
| 25th percentile | $35,620 | $17.13 |
| Median | $47,460 | $22.82 |
| 75th percentile | $60,420 | $29.05 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $77,430 | $37.23 |
| Average (mean) | $49,520 | $23.81 |
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 | $3,955 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,977.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,825.38 |
| Weekly | $912.69 |
| Hourly | $22.82 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $47,460 salary, see how much house you can afford in Arizona 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Prescott Valley-Prescott, AZ | $46,400 | 60 |
| Lake Havasu City-Kingman, AZ | $46,160 | 30 |
| Tucson, AZ | $38,630 | 190 |
| Sierra Vista-Douglas, AZ | $37,320 | 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 Arizona statewide figures.
Related jobs in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $44,950 | $21.61 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $37,730 | $18.14 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $48,770 | $23.45 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $37,840 | $18.19 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $35,620 | $17.12 |
| Crane and Tower Operators | $72,580 | $34.89 |
| Conveyor Operators and Tenders | $39,270 | $18.88 |
| Material Moving Workers, All Other | $48,400 | $23.27 |
| Machine Feeders and Offbearers | $40,900 | $19.67 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $59,770 | $28.74 |
| Light Truck Driver | $45,790 | $22.01 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $64,990 | $31.25 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $39,640 | $19.06 |
| Flight Attendant | $61,780 | — |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ
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 Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ?
The median salary for refuse and recyclable material collectors in the Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ metro area is $47,460 a year, or $22.82 an hour. Pay ranges from $33,860 for the lowest-paid 10% to $77,430 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid refuse and recyclable material collectors make in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ?
The top 10% of refuse and recyclable material collectors in the Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ metro area earn at least $77,430 a year. The top 25% earn $60,420 or more.
What is the starting pay for refuse and recyclable material collectors in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $33,860 a year, and a quarter of refuse and recyclable material collectors earn $35,620 or less.
How many refuse and recyclable material collectors work in Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ?
About 1,780 refuse and recyclable material collectors are employed in the Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ metro area, not counting the self-employed.