Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors salary in St. Louis, MO-IL
Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors in the St. Louis, MO-IL metro area earn a median of $60,750 a year ($29.21 an hour), based on BLS data for 970 workers.
Pay ranges from $35,880 for the lowest-paid 10% to $74,860 for the top 10%. That is 22% higher than the national median of $49,690. Pay here is 21% higher than the Missouri statewide median of $50,010. There are 0.73 refuse and recyclable material collectors per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.77). The average (mean) salary is $57,880, close to the median.
Pay range for refuse and recyclable material collectors in St. Louis, MO-IL
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,880 | $17.25 |
| 25th percentile | $48,340 | $23.24 |
| Median | $60,750 | $29.21 |
| 75th percentile | $63,020 | $30.30 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $74,860 | $35.99 |
| Average (mean) | $57,880 | $27.83 |
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 | $5,062.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,531.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,336.54 |
| Weekly | $1,168.27 |
| Hourly | $29.21 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $60,750 salary, see how much house you can afford in Missouri 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $77,470 | 3,330 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $75,440 | 750 |
| Springfield, IL | $60,570 | 80 |
| Peoria, IL | $59,070 | 60 |
| Joplin, MO-KS | $49,250 | 60 |
| Paducah, KY-IL | $48,460 | 40 |
| Springfield, MO | $46,790 | 130 |
| Kansas City, MO-KS | $43,400 | 540 |
| Champaign-Urbana, IL | $40,650 | 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 Missouri statewide figures.
Related jobs in St. Louis, MO-IL
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $37,840 | $18.19 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $41,780 | $20.09 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $46,330 | $22.28 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $35,220 | $16.93 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $37,280 | $17.92 |
| Crane and Tower Operators | $46,170 | $22.20 |
| Tank Car, Truck, and Ship Loaders | $60,950 | $29.30 |
| Machine Feeders and Offbearers | $45,430 | $21.84 |
| Conveyor Operators and Tenders | $40,210 | $19.33 |
| Material Moving Workers, All Other | $41,910 | $20.15 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $58,240 | $28.00 |
| Light Truck Driver | $47,150 | $22.67 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $62,790 | $30.19 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $48,100 | $23.13 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in St. Louis, MO-IL
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 St. Louis, MO-IL?
The median salary for refuse and recyclable material collectors in the St. Louis, MO-IL metro area is $60,750 a year, or $29.21 an hour. Pay ranges from $35,880 for the lowest-paid 10% to $74,860 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid refuse and recyclable material collectors make in St. Louis, MO-IL?
The top 10% of refuse and recyclable material collectors in the St. Louis, MO-IL metro area earn at least $74,860 a year. The top 25% earn $63,020 or more.
What is the starting pay for refuse and recyclable material collectors in St. Louis, MO-IL?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $35,880 a year, and a quarter of refuse and recyclable material collectors earn $48,340 or less.
How many refuse and recyclable material collectors work in St. Louis, MO-IL?
About 970 refuse and recyclable material collectors are employed in the St. Louis, MO-IL metro area, not counting the self-employed.