Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors salary in Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA
Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors in the Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA metro area earn a median of $45,960 a year ($22.10 an hour), based on BLS data for 340 workers.
Pay ranges from $30,700 for the lowest-paid 10% to $62,910 for the top 10%. That is 8% lower than the national median of $49,690. Pay here is 5% lower than the Pennsylvania statewide median of $48,240. There are 1.3 refuse and recyclable material collectors per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $46,270, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for refuse and recyclable material collectors in Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $30,700 | $14.76 |
| 25th percentile | $34,020 | $16.36 |
| Median | $45,960 | $22.10 |
| 75th percentile | $57,310 | $27.55 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $62,910 | $30.25 |
| Average (mean) | $46,270 | $22.25 |
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 | $3,830 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,915 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,767.69 |
| Weekly | $883.85 |
| Hourly | $22.10 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $45,960 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 |
| Lancaster, PA | $45,540 | 300 |
| 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 Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $37,410 | $17.99 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $42,900 | $20.63 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $48,860 | $23.49 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $37,430 | $18.00 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $32,290 | $15.52 |
| Machine Feeders and Offbearers | $33,400 | $16.06 |
| Crane and Tower Operators | $71,770 | $34.51 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $57,580 | $27.68 |
| Light Truck Driver | $43,110 | $20.73 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $65,030 | $31.26 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $45,010 | $21.64 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $46,430 | $22.32 |
| Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs | $29,970 | $14.41 |
| Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity | $49,310 | $23.71 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, 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 Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA?
The median salary for refuse and recyclable material collectors in the Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA metro area is $45,960 a year, or $22.10 an hour. Pay ranges from $30,700 for the lowest-paid 10% to $62,910 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid refuse and recyclable material collectors make in Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA?
The top 10% of refuse and recyclable material collectors in the Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA metro area earn at least $62,910 a year. The top 25% earn $57,310 or more.
What is the starting pay for refuse and recyclable material collectors in Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $30,700 a year, and a quarter of refuse and recyclable material collectors earn $34,020 or less.
How many refuse and recyclable material collectors work in Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA?
About 340 refuse and recyclable material collectors are employed in the Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA metro area, not counting the self-employed.