Colorado Median
$60,310
per year
Hourly Rate
$29.00
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+21% vs US median
US median $49,690
State Rank
#9 of 51
3,700 employed here
How much do Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors make in Colorado?
Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors in Colorado take home a median of $60,310 annually — roughly $29.00 an hour — which runs 21% above the national median of $49,690.
Within Colorado, entry-level pay starts around $39,580 while the top 10% make $75,330 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $46,770 and $64,410 a year.
Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors salary range in Colorado
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $39,580 | $19.03 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $46,770 | $22.49 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $60,310 | $29.00 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $64,410 | $30.97 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $75,330 | $36.22 |
|
How Colorado compares
Colorado ranks 9th out of 51 states and territories for Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors salary in other states
Illinois $75,050Washington $74,620New York $64,950California $64,890Oregon $63,210Minnesota $62,570Nevada $61,310Delaware $61,290Wisconsin $59,810Utah $59,310North Dakota $59,000Indiana $58,900Hawaii $56,270Rhode Island $55,970District of Columbia $55,490New Jersey $54,630Vermont $51,960Michigan $51,030Massachusetts $50,310Missouri $50,010Idaho $49,880Iowa $49,850Montana $49,420Nebraska $49,390Ohio $49,330Wyoming $48,820Pennsylvania $48,240Florida $47,820New Mexico $47,660Georgia $46,960Arizona $46,910New Hampshire $46,580Virginia $46,530Texas $46,330Alabama $46,240Alaska $45,740Kansas $45,510North Carolina $44,670Maine $43,360Tennessee $43,270Kentucky $43,100Oklahoma $43,060Maryland $41,870Mississippi $39,170Louisiana $38,810Connecticut $38,220West Virginia $35,840Arkansas $35,640South Carolina $34,880South Dakota $32,950
Working as Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors in Colorado
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 Colorado pay ($60,310) 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 Colorado?
The median Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors salary in Colorado is $60,310 per year, or about $29.00 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $39,580 at the entry level to $75,330 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Colorado pay compare to the national average?
Colorado pays Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors about 21% more than the national median of $49,690. Colorado ranks 9th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Colorado a good state for Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors?
Yes on pay — Colorado pays above the national median for this occupation, at $60,310 a year. About 3,700 Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors are employed in Colorado. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Colorado?
The highest-paying occupations in Colorado include Orthodontist ($416,000), Dermatologist ($398,810), Orthopedic Surgeon, Except Pediatric ($385,410), 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.