Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors Salary in Pennsylvania
Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors in Pennsylvania make a median of $42,690 a year, or about $20.52 an hour. The range runs from $25K at the entry level to $63K for experienced workers.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Pennsylvania. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $43K get you in Pennsylvania?
About refuse and recyclable material collectors
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Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Pennsylvania
Entry-level refuse and recyclable material collectors (10th percentile) start around $25K. Mid-career wages sit at $43K. Top earners bring in $63K or more, a $38K spread from bottom to top.
Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors salary by metro in Pennsylvania
13 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Harrisburg-Carlisle | $57K | +33% | 130 |
| Chambersburg | $50K | +18% | 130 |
| York-Hanover | $48K | +13% | 190 |
| State College | $47K | +11% | 90 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington | $47K | +10% | 2,380 |
| Scranton--Wilkes-Barre | $45K | +6% | 330 |
| Pittsburgh | $40K | -7% | 1,110 |
| Reading | $40K | -7% | 170 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton | $39K | -10% | 440 |
| Lancaster | $38K | -10% | 280 |
| Erie | $35K | -17% | 170 |
| Altoona | $35K | -18% | 110 |
| Williamsport | $34K | -20% | 40 |
Showing 1–10 of 13 metros
Compare to other states
Track refuse and recyclable material collectors salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Pennsylvania numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do refuse and recyclable material collectors make in Pennsylvania?
The median is $42,690 a year, that works out to about $21 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $24,960, and experienced refuse and recyclable material collectors can clear $63,040. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $43K enough to live in Pennsylvania?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $2,919/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,351/month, which eats 46.3% 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 Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania has a Regional Price Parity of 100 (100 is the national average). That's right at the national average. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median refuse and recyclable material collectors salary is worth about $44,951 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.