Illinois Median
$75,050
per year
Hourly Rate
$36.08
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+51% vs US median
US median $49,690
State Rank
#1 of 51
4,910 employed here
How much do Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors make in Illinois?
Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors working in Illinois earn a median salary of $75,050 per year, or about $36.08 per hour. That is 51% above the national median of $49,690 for this occupation.
Within Illinois, entry-level pay starts around $38,790 while the top 10% make $88,640 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $58,750 and $84,300 a year.
Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors salary range in Illinois
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $38,790 | $18.65 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $58,750 | $28.25 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $75,050 | $36.08 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $84,300 | $40.53 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $88,640 | $42.62 |
|
How Illinois compares
Illinois ranks 1st 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
Washington $74,620New York $64,950California $64,890Oregon $63,210Minnesota $62,570Nevada $61,310Delaware $61,290Colorado $60,310Wisconsin $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 Illinois
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 Illinois pay ($75,050) 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 Illinois?
The median Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors salary in Illinois is $75,050 per year, or about $36.08 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $38,790 at the entry level to $88,640 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Illinois pay compare to the national average?
Illinois pays Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors about 51% more than the national median of $49,690. Illinois ranks 1st out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Illinois a good state for Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors?
Yes on pay — Illinois pays above the national median for this occupation, at $75,050 a year. About 4,910 Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors are employed in Illinois. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Illinois?
The highest-paying occupations in Illinois include Cardiologist ($517,850), Surgeon, All Other ($438,010), Dermatologist ($435,750), 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.