Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors Salary
Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors in District of Columbia make a median of $55,490 a year, or about $26.68 an hour. The range runs from $40K at the entry level to $76K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 108.88), so that salary is closer to $50,964 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $2,146/month, about 59.2% of take-home, which is tight.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across District of Columbia. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $55K get you in District of Columbia?
About refuse and recyclable material collectors
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What this looks like in District of Columbia
District of Columbia sits well above the national pay line for refuse and recyclable material collectors, local pay runs about 12% higher than the U.S. median of $50K. The catch: housing math doesn't keep up. A 2-bedroom at the HUD median rents for $2,146/month, which is 58% of the median worker's take-home, past the 30% guideline most planners use. Cost-of-living overall is 9% above the national average (BEA RPP 108.88), so groceries and services cost more too. The pay premium is real, but so are the offsets.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, District of Columbia
Entry-level refuse and recyclable material collectors (10th percentile) start around $40K. Mid-career wages sit at $55K. Top earners bring in $76K or more, a $36K spread from bottom to top.
Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors salary by metro in District of Columbia
1 metro area with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria | $47K | -16% | 3,100 |
Compare to other states
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BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when District of Columbia numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a refuse and recyclable material collector afford a 2BR apartment alone in District of Columbia?
It’s a stretch — at the median salary of $55K, rent takes 58% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $2,146/month. The 30% guideline puts the comfortable ceiling at roughly $1,100/month in rent — so roommates or a 1-bedroom would ease the math significantly.
What’s the entry-level salary for refuse and recyclable material collectors in District of Columbia?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new refuse and recyclable material collectors typically earn — is $40K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $2,389/month. At HUD’s $2,146/month FMR, rent would take 90% of that take-home — above the 30% guideline, so a 1-bedroom or shared housing is likely necessary starting out.
Is refuse and recyclable material collector a high-paying job in District of Columbia?
Local pay is 12% above the national median — $55K here vs. $50K nationally. Keep in mind cost of living here is 9% above the national average, which offsets some of that premium.
How does District of Columbia compare to the national average for refuse and recyclable material collectors?
District of Columbia pays $55K median vs. the U.S. average of $50K — that’s +12%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 108.88), the purchasing-power equivalent is $51K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do refuse and recyclable material collectors make in District of Columbia?
The median is $55,490 a year, that works out to about $27 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $39,810, and experienced refuse and recyclable material collectors can clear $76,020. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $55K enough to live in District of Columbia?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $3,697/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $2,146/month, which eats 58% 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 District of Columbia?
District of Columbia has a Regional Price Parity of 108.88 (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 $50,964 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.