Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors salary in Traverse City, MI
Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors in the Traverse City, MI metro area earn a median of $49,450 a year ($23.78 an hour), based on BLS data for 260 workers.
Pay ranges from $36,110 for the lowest-paid 10% to $76,820 for the top 10%. That is about the same as the national median of $49,690. Pay here is 3% lower than the Michigan statewide median of $51,030. There are 3.8 refuse and recyclable material collectors per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 4.0× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $52,760, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for refuse and recyclable material collectors in Traverse City, MI
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,110 | $17.36 |
| 25th percentile | $39,930 | $19.20 |
| Median | $49,450 | $23.78 |
| 75th percentile | $61,440 | $29.54 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $76,820 | $36.93 |
| Average (mean) | $52,760 | $25.37 |
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 | $4,120.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,060.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,901.92 |
| Weekly | $950.96 |
| Hourly | $23.78 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $49,450 salary, see how much house you can afford in Michigan 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 |
|---|---|---|
| South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI | $60,080 | 100 |
| Saginaw, MI | $59,620 | 40 |
| Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI | $51,070 | 1,900 |
| Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI | $50,980 | 340 |
| Lansing-East Lansing, MI | $49,440 | 250 |
| Flint, MI | $48,270 | 170 |
| Monroe, MI | $48,160 | 200 |
| Muskegon-Norton Shores, MI | $46,640 | 60 |
| Ann Arbor, MI | $46,310 | 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 or the Michigan statewide figures.
Related jobs in Traverse City, MI
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $35,460 | $17.05 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $38,750 | $18.63 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $47,340 | $22.76 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $34,500 | $16.59 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $35,060 | $16.86 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $57,700 | $27.74 |
| Light Truck Driver | $42,650 | $20.50 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $43,430 | $20.88 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $62,130 | $29.87 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $48,480 | $23.31 |
| Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels | $79,440 | $38.19 |
| Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs | $41,080 | $19.75 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Traverse City, MI
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 Traverse City, MI?
The median salary for refuse and recyclable material collectors in the Traverse City, MI metro area is $49,450 a year, or $23.78 an hour. Pay ranges from $36,110 for the lowest-paid 10% to $76,820 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid refuse and recyclable material collectors make in Traverse City, MI?
The top 10% of refuse and recyclable material collectors in the Traverse City, MI metro area earn at least $76,820 a year. The top 25% earn $61,440 or more.
What is the starting pay for refuse and recyclable material collectors in Traverse City, MI?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $36,110 a year, and a quarter of refuse and recyclable material collectors earn $39,930 or less.
How many refuse and recyclable material collectors work in Traverse City, MI?
About 260 refuse and recyclable material collectors are employed in the Traverse City, MI metro area, not counting the self-employed.