Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors Salary in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA make a median of $77,300 a year, or about $37.16 an hour. The range runs from $50K at the entry level to $89K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 111.13), so that salary is closer to $69,558 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $2,501/month — about 46.6% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $77K get you in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue?
About refuse and recyclable material collectors
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
Entry-level refuse and recyclable material collectors (10th percentile) start around $50K. Mid-career wages sit at $77K.Top earners bring in $89K or more - a $38K 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 Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do refuse and recyclable material collectors make in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?
The median is $77,300 a year - that works out to about $37.16 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $50,280, and experienced refuse and recyclable material collectors can clear $88,540. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $77K enough to live in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,231/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $2,501/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 47.8% 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 Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue?
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue has a Regional Price Parity of 111.13 (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 $69,558 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.