Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors salary in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area earn a median of $75,090 a year ($36.10 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,100 workers.
Pay ranges from $59,270 for the lowest-paid 10% to $90,160 for the top 10%. That is 51% higher than the national median of $49,690. Pay here is 1% higher than the Washington statewide median of $74,620. There are 1.0 refuse and recyclable material collectors per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $76,420, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for refuse and recyclable material collectors in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $59,270 | $28.49 |
| 25th percentile | $71,700 | $34.47 |
| Median | $75,090 | $36.10 |
| 75th percentile | $88,960 | $42.77 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $90,160 | $43.35 |
| Average (mean) | $76,420 | $36.74 |
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 | $6,257.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,128.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,888.08 |
| Weekly | $1,444.04 |
| Hourly | $36.10 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $75,090 salary, see how much house you can afford in Washington 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA | $76,340 | 130 |
| Kennewick-Richland, WA | $74,180 | 90 |
| Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA | $73,770 | 70 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA | $66,230 | 330 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $65,920 | 1,500 |
| Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA | $65,270 | 60 |
| Yakima, WA | $61,370 | 80 |
| Walla Walla, WA | $60,330 | 50 |
| Wenatchee-East Wenatchee, WA | $57,560 | 30 |
| Lewiston, ID-WA | $55,130 | 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 Washington statewide figures.
Related jobs in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $46,830 | $22.52 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $47,740 | $22.95 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $55,600 | $26.73 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $44,010 | $21.16 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $42,750 | $20.56 |
| Crane and Tower Operators | $114,330 | $54.96 |
| Conveyor Operators and Tenders | $44,800 | $21.54 |
| Machine Feeders and Offbearers | $46,950 | $22.57 |
| Hoist and Winch Operators | $74,840 | $35.98 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $71,240 | $34.25 |
| Light Truck Driver | $49,590 | $23.84 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $76,390 | $36.73 |
| Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity | $83,430 | $40.11 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $66,380 | $31.91 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
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 Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?
The median salary for refuse and recyclable material collectors in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area is $75,090 a year, or $36.10 an hour. Pay ranges from $59,270 for the lowest-paid 10% to $90,160 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid refuse and recyclable material collectors make in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?
The top 10% of refuse and recyclable material collectors in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area earn at least $90,160 a year. The top 25% earn $88,960 or more.
What is the starting pay for refuse and recyclable material collectors in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $59,270 a year, and a quarter of refuse and recyclable material collectors earn $71,700 or less.
How many refuse and recyclable material collectors work in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?
About 2,100 refuse and recyclable material collectors are employed in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area, not counting the self-employed.