Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors Salary in Tennessee
Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors in Tennessee make a median of $38,570 a year, or about $18.54 an hour. The range runs from $27K at the entry level to $59K for experienced workers.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Tennessee. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $39K get you in Tennessee?
About refuse and recyclable material collectors
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Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Tennessee
Entry-level refuse and recyclable material collectors (10th percentile) start around $27K. Mid-career wages sit at $39K. Top earners bring in $59K or more, a $32K spread from bottom to top.
Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors salary by metro in Tennessee
9 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jackson | $49K | +27% | 90 |
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin | $47K | +21% | 520 |
| Kingsport-Bristol | $41K | +8% | 120 |
| Memphis | $39K | +0% | 810 |
| Knoxville | $38K | -1% | 280 |
| Morristown | $37K | -4% | 90 |
| Chattanooga | $36K | -7% | 80 |
| Cleveland | $35K | -9% | 40 |
| Johnson City | $28K | -26% | 60 |
Compare to other states
Track refuse and recyclable material collectors salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Tennessee numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do refuse and recyclable material collectors make in Tennessee?
The median is $38,570 a year, that works out to about $19 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $26,720, and experienced refuse and recyclable material collectors can clear $59,160. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $39K enough to live in Tennessee?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $2,753/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,215/month, which eats 44.1% 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 Tennessee?
Tennessee 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 $42,961 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.