Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors Salary in Iowa (2026)

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Iowa Median
$49,850
per year
Hourly Rate
$23.97
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+0% vs US median
US median $49,690
State Rank
#23 of 51
1,780 employed here

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

Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors working in Iowa earn a median salary of $49,850 per year, or about $23.97 per hour. That is 0% above the national median of $49,690 for this occupation.

Within Iowa, entry-level pay starts around $38,220 while the top 10% make $63,350 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $46,190 and $58,050 a year.

Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors salary range in Iowa

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$38,220$18.38
25th percentile (early career)$46,190$22.21
50th percentile (median)$49,850$23.97
75th percentile (experienced)$58,050$27.91
90th percentile (top earners)$63,350$30.46

How Iowa compares

Iowa ranks 23rd 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 Iowa

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 Iowa pay ($49,850) 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 Iowa?
The median Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors salary in Iowa is $49,850 per year, or about $23.97 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $38,220 at the entry level to $63,350 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Iowa pay compare to the national average?
Iowa pays Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors about 0% more than the national median of $49,690. Iowa ranks 23rd out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Iowa a good state for Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors?
Yes on pay — Iowa pays above the national median for this occupation, at $49,850 a year. About 1,780 Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors are employed in Iowa. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Iowa?
The highest-paying occupations in Iowa include Emergency Medicine Physician ($429,050), Dermatologist ($424,970), Radiologist ($405,220), 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.