Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors vs. Stockers and Order Fillers: Who Earns More?
Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors out-earn Stockers and Order Fillers by $12K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors land at $49,690 and Stockers and Order Fillers at $37,330. The education gap is real: refuse and recyclable material collector programs typically require no formal educational credential, while stockers and order filler programs require no formal educational credential. Top-paying state for Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors is Illinois ($75,050); for Stockers and Order Fillers it's Washington ($44,620).
Pay by state
States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors median pay.
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. Highlighted value is higher in each row.
Common questions
Who earns more, Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors or Stockers and Order Fillers?
Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors earn more nationally. The median is $49,690 for Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors versus $37,330 for Stockers and Order Fillers, a difference of $12K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.
Which has better job growth, Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors or Stockers and Order Fillers?
Stockers and Order Fillers has the better 10-year outlook at 8.5% projected growth, compared to 0.9% for the other field. Both are from BLS Employment Projections.
Which requires more education, Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors or Stockers and Order Fillers?
Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors typically requires no formal educational credential. Stockers and Order Fillers requires no formal educational credential. Education requirements vary by employer and state licensing board.
Where do Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors get paid the most?
Illinois is the top-paying state for Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors at $75,050/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.
How does Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors vs. Stockers and Order Fillers pay differ by state?
The gap varies significantly by state. In Illinois, Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors earn $75,050 vs. $37,680 for Stockers and Order Fillers. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.