Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors salary in South Carolina
Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors in South Carolina earn a median of $34,880 a year ($16.77 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,020 workers.
Pay ranges from $22,340 for the lowest-paid 10% to $50,600 for the top 10%. That is 30% lower than the national median of $49,690. South Carolina ranks 50th of 51 states for refuse and recyclable material collectors pay. There are 0.88 refuse and recyclable material collectors per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $35,690, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for refuse and recyclable material collectors in South Carolina
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $22,340 | $10.74 |
| 25th percentile | $27,850 | $13.39 |
| Median | $34,880 | $16.77 |
| 75th percentile | $42,150 | $20.27 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $50,600 | $24.33 |
| Average (mean) | $35,690 | $17.16 |
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 | $2,906.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,453.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,341.54 |
| Weekly | $670.77 |
| Hourly | $16.77 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $34,880 salary, see how much house you can afford in South Carolina at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors salary in cities in South Carolina
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $49,470 | 1,840 |
| Sumter, SC | $48,160 | 40 |
| Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal, SC | $46,340 | 70 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $43,250 | 190 |
| Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $37,890 | 260 |
| Spartanburg, SC | $36,880 | 100 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC | $35,840 | 230 |
| Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC | $35,190 | 180 |
| Columbia, SC | $34,800 | 380 |
| Florence, SC | $32,540 | 90 |
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 South Carolina
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $37,530 | $18.04 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $36,020 | $17.32 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $43,680 | $21.00 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $32,180 | $15.47 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $34,230 | $16.46 |
| Crane and Tower Operators | $64,120 | $30.83 |
| Machine Feeders and Offbearers | $38,050 | $18.29 |
| Conveyor Operators and Tenders | $38,020 | $18.28 |
| Material Moving Workers, All Other | $39,370 | $18.93 |
| Tank Car, Truck, and Ship Loaders | $80,700 | $38.80 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $51,130 | $24.58 |
| Light Truck Driver | $37,680 | $18.12 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $63,470 | $30.51 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $22,240 | $10.69 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in South Carolina
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 South Carolina?
The median salary for refuse and recyclable material collectors in South Carolina is $34,880 a year, or $16.77 an hour. Pay ranges from $22,340 for the lowest-paid 10% to $50,600 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid refuse and recyclable material collectors make in South Carolina?
The top 10% of refuse and recyclable material collectors in South Carolina earn at least $50,600 a year. The top 25% earn $42,150 or more.
What is the starting pay for refuse and recyclable material collectors in South Carolina?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $22,340 a year, and a quarter of refuse and recyclable material collectors earn $27,850 or less.
How many refuse and recyclable material collectors work in South Carolina?
About 2,020 refuse and recyclable material collectors are employed in South Carolina, not counting the self-employed.