Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors Salary in Arkansas (2026)

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Arkansas Median
$35,640
per year
Hourly Rate
$17.13
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-28% vs US median
US median $49,690
State Rank
#49 of 51
1,600 employed here

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

Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors working in Arkansas earn a median salary of $35,640 per year, or about $17.13 per hour. That is 28% below the national median of $49,690 for this occupation.

Within Arkansas, entry-level pay starts around $26,590 while the top 10% make $51,570 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $29,320 and $41,420 a year.

Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors salary range in Arkansas

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$26,590$12.78
25th percentile (early career)$29,320$14.10
50th percentile (median)$35,640$17.13
75th percentile (experienced)$41,420$19.91
90th percentile (top earners)$51,570$24.79

How Arkansas compares

Arkansas ranks 49th 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 Arkansas

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 Arkansas pay ($35,640) 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 Arkansas?
The median Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors salary in Arkansas is $35,640 per year, or about $17.13 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $26,590 at the entry level to $51,570 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Arkansas pay compare to the national average?
Arkansas pays Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors about 28% less than the national median of $49,690. Arkansas ranks 49th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Arkansas a good state for Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $35,640 a year. About 1,600 Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors are employed in Arkansas. 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 Arkansas?
The highest-paying occupations in Arkansas include Dermatologist ($422,060), Neurologist ($317,880), Orthopedic Surgeon, Except Pediatric ($262,470), 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.