Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors Salary in District of Columbia (2026)

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
District of Columbia Median
$55,490
per year
Hourly Rate
$26.68
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+12% vs US median
US median $49,690
State Rank
#16 of 51
540 employed here

How much do Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors make in District of Columbia?

Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors working in District of Columbia earn a median salary of $55,490 per year, or about $26.68 per hour. That is 12% above the national median of $49,690 for this occupation.

Within District of Columbia, entry-level pay starts around $39,810 while the top 10% make $76,020 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $45,740 and $63,710 a year.

Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors salary range in District of Columbia

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$39,810$19.14
25th percentile (early career)$45,740$21.99
50th percentile (median)$55,490$26.68
75th percentile (experienced)$63,710$30.63
90th percentile (top earners)$76,020$36.55

How District of Columbia compares

District of Columbia ranks 16th 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 District of Columbia

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 District of Columbia pay ($55,490) 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 District of Columbia?
The median Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors salary in District of Columbia is $55,490 per year, or about $26.68 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $39,810 at the entry level to $76,020 for the top 10% of earners.
How does District of Columbia pay compare to the national average?
District of Columbia pays Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors about 12% more than the national median of $49,690. District of Columbia ranks 16th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is District of Columbia a good state for Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors?
Yes on pay — District of Columbia pays above the national median for this occupation, at $55,490 a year. About 540 Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors are employed in District of Columbia. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in District of Columbia?
The highest-paying occupations in District of Columbia include Neurologist ($332,000), Emergency Medicine Physician ($318,200), Podiatrist ($265,740), 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.