Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors Salary in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV make a median of $45,930 a year, or about $22.08 an hour. The range runs from $36K at the entry level to $62K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 108.88), so that salary is closer to $42,184 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $2,246/month — about 70.8% of take-home, which is tight.
So what does $46K get you in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria?
Groceries, utilities, transportation, and healthcare scaled from national averages by Washington-Arlington-Alexandria’s Regional Price Parity (108.88). Rent from HUD Fair Market Rents. Taxes estimated for single filer, standard deduction. * Healthcare is the employee-paid share only (premiums + out-of-pocket). Actual costs vary by coverage type: employer-sponsored, ACA marketplace, or uninsured.
About refuse and recyclable material collectors
Sponsored links — AffordMap may earn a commission at no cost to you. Learn more
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
Entry-level refuse and recyclable material collectors (10th percentile) start around $36K. Mid-career wages sit at $46K. Top earners bring in $62K or more, a $26K 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 |
| Utah | $51K | +5% | 680 |
| New Jersey | $51K | +5% | 4,710 |
| North Dakota | $50K | +4% | 300 |
| Vermont | $49K | +2% | 160 |
| Iowa | $49K | +1% | 2,050 |
| Ohio | $49K | +1% | 5,000 |
| Idaho | $48K | -0% | 830 |
| Wyoming | $48K | -1% | 310 |
| Nebraska | $47K | -2% | 1,190 |
| Delaware | $47K | -3% | 380 |
| Florida | $47K | -3% | 9,690 |
| New Mexico | $47K | -3% | 1,210 |
| Missouri | $47K | -3% | 2,180 |
| Virginia | $46K | -5% | 3,720 |
| Connecticut | $46K | -5% | 930 |
| Texas | $46K | -5% | 10,720 |
| Maine | $43K | -11% | 620 |
| Georgia | $43K | -11% | 4,790 |
| Pennsylvania | $43K | -12% | 5,800 |
| New Hampshire | $43K | -12% | 390 |
| Kansas | $43K | -12% | 980 |
| North Carolina | $41K | -16% | 6,460 |
| Maryland | $40K | -17% | 2,710 |
| Alabama | $40K | -18% | 2,000 |
| Arizona | $40K | -18% | 2,020 |
| Tennessee | $39K | -20% | 2,630 |
| South Carolina | $37K | -23% | 2,600 |
| Kentucky | $37K | -24% | 2,060 |
| Louisiana | $37K | -24% | 2,200 |
| Oklahoma | $37K | -24% | 2,030 |
| Alaska | $37K | -24% | 330 |
| Arkansas | $37K | -24% | 1,530 |
| West Virginia | $37K | -24% | 860 |
| Mississippi | $36K | -25% | 1,790 |
| South Dakota | $33K | -32% | 360 |
Showing 1–10 of 50 states
BLS does not publish data for every state when sample sizes are too small
Track refuse and recyclable material collectors salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Washington-Arlington-Alexandria numbers change.
Related careers in Transportation
Frequently asked questions
How much do refuse and recyclable material collectors make in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?
The median is $45,930 a year, that works out to about $22 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $36,260, and experienced refuse and recyclable material collectors can clear $62,400. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $46K enough to live in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $3,105/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $2,246/month, which eats 72.3% 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 Washington-Arlington-Alexandria?
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria 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 $42,184 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.