Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors salary in Trenton-Princeton, NJ
Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors in the Trenton-Princeton, NJ metro area earn a median of $59,760 a year ($28.73 an hour), based on BLS data for 250 workers.
Pay ranges from $38,310 for the lowest-paid 10% to $68,930 for the top 10%. That is 20% higher than the national median of $49,690. Pay here is 9% higher than the New Jersey statewide median of $54,630. There are 1.1 refuse and recyclable material collectors per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $55,370, close to the median.
Pay range for refuse and recyclable material collectors in Trenton-Princeton, NJ
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $38,310 | $18.42 |
| 25th percentile | $45,400 | $21.83 |
| Median | $59,760 | $28.73 |
| 75th percentile | $61,410 | $29.52 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $68,930 | $33.14 |
| Average (mean) | $55,370 | $26.62 |
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 | $4,980 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,490 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,298.46 |
| Weekly | $1,149.23 |
| Hourly | $28.73 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $59,760 salary, see how much house you can afford in New Jersey 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 |
|---|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $65,310 | 13,310 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $59,730 | 2,610 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | $51,610 | 480 |
| Atlantic City-Hammonton, NJ | $47,320 | 300 |
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 New Jersey statewide figures.
Related jobs in Trenton-Princeton, NJ
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $37,560 | $18.06 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $37,330 | $17.95 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $43,090 | $20.71 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $35,380 | $17.01 |
| Light Truck Driver | $46,490 | $22.35 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $59,460 | $28.59 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $67,500 | $32.45 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $63,400 | $30.48 |
| Automotive and Watercraft Service Attendants | $35,430 | $17.03 |
| Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity | $53,020 | $25.49 |
| Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs | $36,970 | $17.77 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $34,670 | $16.67 |
| Parking Attendant | $34,720 | $16.69 |
| Motor Vehicle Operators, All Other | $32,220 | $15.49 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Trenton-Princeton, NJ
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 Trenton-Princeton, NJ?
The median salary for refuse and recyclable material collectors in the Trenton-Princeton, NJ metro area is $59,760 a year, or $28.73 an hour. Pay ranges from $38,310 for the lowest-paid 10% to $68,930 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid refuse and recyclable material collectors make in Trenton-Princeton, NJ?
The top 10% of refuse and recyclable material collectors in the Trenton-Princeton, NJ metro area earn at least $68,930 a year. The top 25% earn $61,410 or more.
What is the starting pay for refuse and recyclable material collectors in Trenton-Princeton, NJ?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $38,310 a year, and a quarter of refuse and recyclable material collectors earn $45,400 or less.
How many refuse and recyclable material collectors work in Trenton-Princeton, NJ?
About 250 refuse and recyclable material collectors are employed in the Trenton-Princeton, NJ metro area, not counting the self-employed.