Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors salary in Tuscaloosa, AL
Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors in the Tuscaloosa, AL metro area earn a median of $47,920 a year ($23.04 an hour), based on BLS data for 150 workers.
Pay ranges from $27,380 for the lowest-paid 10% to $60,530 for the top 10%. That is 4% lower than the national median of $49,690. Pay here is 4% higher than the Alabama statewide median of $46,240. There are 1.4 refuse and recyclable material collectors per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $47,520, close to the median.
Pay range for refuse and recyclable material collectors in Tuscaloosa, AL
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $27,380 | $13.17 |
| 25th percentile | $40,480 | $19.46 |
| Median | $47,920 | $23.04 |
| 75th percentile | $59,970 | $28.83 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $60,530 | $29.10 |
| Average (mean) | $47,520 | $22.85 |
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 | $3,993.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,996.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,843.08 |
| Weekly | $921.54 |
| Hourly | $23.04 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $47,920 salary, see how much house you can afford in Alabama 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Huntsville, AL | $51,090 | 210 |
| Auburn-Opelika, AL | $49,620 | 110 |
| Mobile, AL | $48,460 | 190 |
| Birmingham, AL | $47,930 | 570 |
| Daphne-Fairhope-Foley, AL | $47,150 | 140 |
| Anniston-Oxford, AL | $46,770 | 50 |
| Decatur, AL | $44,020 | 80 |
| Dothan, AL | $39,350 | 120 |
| Montgomery, AL | $37,630 | 280 |
| Columbus, GA-AL | $37,090 | 50 |
| Florence-Muscle Shoals, AL | $36,280 | 80 |
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 Alabama statewide figures.
Related jobs in Tuscaloosa, AL
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $32,210 | $15.49 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $36,480 | $17.54 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $39,210 | $18.85 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $30,600 | $14.71 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $27,440 | $13.19 |
| Machine Feeders and Offbearers | $32,830 | $15.79 |
| Crane and Tower Operators | $48,870 | $23.50 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $50,190 | $24.13 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $17,130 | $8.24 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $57,020 | $27.41 |
| Light Truck Driver | $37,880 | $18.21 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $37,170 | $17.87 |
| Automotive and Watercraft Service Attendants | $28,470 | $13.69 |
| Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs | $31,200 | $15.00 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Tuscaloosa, AL
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 Tuscaloosa, AL?
The median salary for refuse and recyclable material collectors in the Tuscaloosa, AL metro area is $47,920 a year, or $23.04 an hour. Pay ranges from $27,380 for the lowest-paid 10% to $60,530 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid refuse and recyclable material collectors make in Tuscaloosa, AL?
The top 10% of refuse and recyclable material collectors in the Tuscaloosa, AL metro area earn at least $60,530 a year. The top 25% earn $59,970 or more.
What is the starting pay for refuse and recyclable material collectors in Tuscaloosa, AL?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $27,380 a year, and a quarter of refuse and recyclable material collectors earn $40,480 or less.
How many refuse and recyclable material collectors work in Tuscaloosa, AL?
About 150 refuse and recyclable material collectors are employed in the Tuscaloosa, AL metro area, not counting the self-employed.