Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors salary in West Virginia
Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors in West Virginia earn a median of $35,840 a year ($17.23 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,000 workers.
Pay ranges from $26,520 for the lowest-paid 10% to $47,960 for the top 10%. That is 28% lower than the national median of $49,690. West Virginia ranks 48th of 51 states for refuse and recyclable material collectors pay. There are 1.4 refuse and recyclable material collectors per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.5× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $36,820, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for refuse and recyclable material collectors in West Virginia
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $26,520 | $12.75 |
| 25th percentile | $29,430 | $14.15 |
| Median | $35,840 | $17.23 |
| 75th percentile | $43,460 | $20.89 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $47,960 | $23.06 |
| Average (mean) | $36,820 | $17.70 |
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 | $2,986.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,493.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,378.46 |
| Weekly | $689.23 |
| Hourly | $17.23 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $35,840 salary, see how much house you can afford in West Virginia at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors salary in cities in West Virginia
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $46,530 | 3,100 |
| Winchester, VA-WV | $46,280 | 50 |
| Hagerstown-Martinsburg, MD-WV | $39,950 | 50 |
| Weirton-Steubenville, WV-OH | $39,930 | 60 |
| Parkersburg-Vienna, WV | $38,250 | 30 |
| Charleston, WV | $37,850 | 130 |
| Wheeling, WV-OH | $36,650 | 70 |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $36,380 | 130 |
| Beckley, WV | $35,710 | 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.
Related jobs in West Virginia
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $34,510 | $16.59 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $36,990 | $17.79 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $41,670 | $20.03 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $29,390 | $14.13 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $28,740 | $13.82 |
| Wellhead Pumper | $52,170 | $25.08 |
| Conveyor Operators and Tenders | $62,830 | $30.21 |
| Gas Compressor and Gas Pumping Station Operators | $65,050 | $31.27 |
| Machine Feeders and Offbearers | $39,360 | $18.92 |
| Crane and Tower Operators | $54,830 | $26.36 |
| Tank Car, Truck, and Ship Loaders | $54,750 | $26.32 |
| Pump Operators, Except Wellhead Pumpers | $61,450 | $29.54 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $49,480 | $23.79 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $33,360 | $16.04 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in West Virginia
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 West Virginia?
The median salary for refuse and recyclable material collectors in West Virginia is $35,840 a year, or $17.23 an hour. Pay ranges from $26,520 for the lowest-paid 10% to $47,960 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid refuse and recyclable material collectors make in West Virginia?
The top 10% of refuse and recyclable material collectors in West Virginia earn at least $47,960 a year. The top 25% earn $43,460 or more.
What is the starting pay for refuse and recyclable material collectors in West Virginia?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $26,520 a year, and a quarter of refuse and recyclable material collectors earn $29,430 or less.
How many refuse and recyclable material collectors work in West Virginia?
About 1,000 refuse and recyclable material collectors are employed in West Virginia, not counting the self-employed.