Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors Salary in Arizona (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors in Arizona, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Arizona Median
$46,910
per year
Hourly Rate
$22.55
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-6% vs US median
US median $49,690
State Rank
#32 of 51
2,380 employed here

How much do Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors make in Arizona?

Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors working in Arizona earn a median salary of $46,910 per year, or about $22.55 per hour. That is 6% below the national median of $49,690 for this occupation.

Within Arizona, entry-level pay starts around $33,480 while the top 10% make $73,610 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $34,860 and $60,010 a year.

Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors salary range in Arizona

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$33,480$16.10
25th percentile (early career)$34,860$16.76
50th percentile (median)$46,910$22.55
75th percentile (experienced)$60,010$28.85
90th percentile (top earners)$73,610$35.39

How Arizona compares

Arizona ranks 32nd out of 51 states and territories for Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1Illinois$75,050
2Washington$74,620
3New York$64,950
4California$64,890
5Oregon$63,210

Working as Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors in Arizona

Nationally, about 147,000 people work as Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors in the United States. A high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job.

Considering a move? Compare Arizona pay ($46,910) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.

Frequently asked questions

How much do Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors make in Arizona?
The median Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors salary in Arizona is $46,910 per year, or about $22.55 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $33,480 at the entry level to $73,610 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Arizona pay compare to the national average?
Arizona pays Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors about 6% less than the national median of $49,690. Arizona ranks 32nd out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Arizona a good state for Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $46,910 a year. About 2,380 Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors are employed in Arizona. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Arizona?
The highest-paying occupations in Arizona include Orthopedic Surgeon, Except Pediatric ($558,970), Radiologist ($470,640), Surgeon, All Other ($415,980), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.

← See the national Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors salary report

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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.