Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors Salary in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN make a median of $64,530 a year, or about $31.03 an hour. The range runs from $38K at the entry level to $87K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 103.59), that's roughly $62,294 in purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,781/month — about 42% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $65K get you in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin?
About refuse and recyclable material collectors
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
Entry-level refuse and recyclable material collectors (10th percentile) start around $38K. Mid-career wages sit at $65K.Top earners bring in $87K or more - a $49K spread from bottom to top.
Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | $71K | +48% | 3,890 |
| Nevada | $65K | +35% | 600 |
| New York | $65K | +34% | 11,240 |
| Illinois | $62K | +28% | 4,940 |
| California | $62K | +28% | 13,240 |
| Minnesota | $62K | +27% | 2,260 |
| Oregon | $61K | +26% | 2,080 |
| Wisconsin | $60K | +25% | 1,330 |
| Massachusetts | $60K | +23% | 1,170 |
| Michigan | $59K | +23% | 3,680 |
| Indiana | $59K | +23% | 2,980 |
| Hawaii | $55K | +14% | 740 |
| District of Columbia | $54K | +11% | 550 |
| Rhode Island | $51K | +6% | 520 |
| Montana | $51K | +6% | 350 |
Track refuse and recyclable material collectors salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Chicago-Naperville-Elgin numbers change.
Related careers in Transportation
Frequently asked questions
How much do refuse and recyclable material collectors make in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
The median is $64,530 a year - that works out to about $31.03 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $38,360, and experienced refuse and recyclable material collectors can clear $87,070. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $65K enough to live in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,216/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,781/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 42.2% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb - housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a refuse and recyclable material collectors salary go in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin?
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin has a Regional Price Parity of 103.59 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median refuse and recyclable material collectors salary is worth about $62,294 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do refuse and recyclable material collectors get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.