Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors salary in South Dakota
Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors in South Dakota earn a median of $32,950 a year ($15.84 an hour), based on BLS data for 340 workers.
Pay ranges from $27,380 for the lowest-paid 10% to $47,700 for the top 10%. That is 34% lower than the national median of $49,690. South Dakota ranks 51st of 51 states for refuse and recyclable material collectors pay. 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 $34,810, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for refuse and recyclable material collectors in South Dakota
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $27,380 | $13.17 |
| 25th percentile | $29,620 | $14.24 |
| Median | $32,950 | $15.84 |
| 75th percentile | $37,820 | $18.18 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $47,700 | $22.94 |
| Average (mean) | $34,810 | $16.74 |
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 | $2,745.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,372.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,267.31 |
| Weekly | $633.65 |
| Hourly | $15.84 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $32,950 salary, see how much house you can afford in South Dakota at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors salary in cities in South Dakota
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $47,830 | 70 |
| Sioux Falls, SD-MN | $31,390 | 90 |
| Rapid City, SD | $29,960 | 30 |
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 Dakota
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $37,650 | $18.10 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $38,980 | $18.74 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $47,410 | $22.79 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $35,050 | $16.85 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $28,760 | $13.83 |
| Machine Feeders and Offbearers | $39,310 | $18.90 |
| Conveyor Operators and Tenders | $44,890 | $21.58 |
| Crane and Tower Operators | $71,000 | $34.13 |
| Gas Compressor and Gas Pumping Station Operators | $44,440 | $21.37 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $58,690 | $28.21 |
| Light Truck Driver | $43,240 | $20.79 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $64,780 | $31.14 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $39,730 | $19.10 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $45,050 | $21.66 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in South Dakota
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 Dakota?
The median salary for refuse and recyclable material collectors in South Dakota is $32,950 a year, or $15.84 an hour. Pay ranges from $27,380 for the lowest-paid 10% to $47,700 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid refuse and recyclable material collectors make in South Dakota?
The top 10% of refuse and recyclable material collectors in South Dakota earn at least $47,700 a year. The top 25% earn $37,820 or more.
What is the starting pay for refuse and recyclable material collectors in South Dakota?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $27,380 a year, and a quarter of refuse and recyclable material collectors earn $29,620 or less.
How many refuse and recyclable material collectors work in South Dakota?
About 340 refuse and recyclable material collectors are employed in South Dakota, not counting the self-employed.