Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors Salary in Indiana (2026)

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Indiana Median
$58,900
per year
Hourly Rate
$28.32
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+19% vs US median
US median $49,690
State Rank
#13 of 51
3,180 employed here

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

Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors in Indiana take home a median of $58,900 annually — roughly $28.32 an hour — which runs 19% above the national median of $49,690.

Within Indiana, entry-level pay starts around $36,000 while the top 10% make $64,680 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $49,840 and $61,210 a year.

Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors salary range in Indiana

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$36,000$17.31
25th percentile (early career)$49,840$23.96
50th percentile (median)$58,900$28.32
75th percentile (experienced)$61,210$29.43
90th percentile (top earners)$64,680$31.10

How Indiana compares

Indiana ranks 13th 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 Indiana

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 Indiana pay ($58,900) 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 Indiana?
The median Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors salary in Indiana is $58,900 per year, or about $28.32 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $36,000 at the entry level to $64,680 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Indiana pay compare to the national average?
Indiana pays Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors about 19% more than the national median of $49,690. Indiana ranks 13th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Indiana a good state for Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors?
Yes on pay — Indiana pays above the national median for this occupation, at $58,900 a year. About 3,180 Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors are employed in Indiana. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Indiana?
The highest-paying occupations in Indiana include Cardiologist ($588,890), Surgeon, All Other ($459,300), Radiologist ($430,640), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.

← See the national Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors salary report

Related salaries

Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators

$46,420
median pay · 774,000 employed

Stockers and Order Fillers

$37,330
median pay · 2,834,000 employed

Pump Operator, Except Wellhead Pumpers

$61,770
median pay · 10,000 employed

Material Moving Worker, All Other

$41,800
median pay · 23,000 employed

Bus Driver, School

$47,920
median pay · 403,000 employed
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.