Kentucky Median
$43,100
per year
Hourly Rate
$20.72
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-13% vs US median
US median $49,690
State Rank
#42 of 51
1,580 employed here
How much do Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors make in Kentucky?
Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors working in Kentucky earn a median salary of $43,100 per year, or about $20.72 per hour. That is 13% below the national median of $49,690 for this occupation.
Within Kentucky, entry-level pay starts around $29,610 while the top 10% make $56,170 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $34,710 and $48,870 a year.
Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors salary range in Kentucky
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $29,610 | $14.24 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $34,710 | $16.69 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $43,100 | $20.72 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $48,870 | $23.50 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $56,170 | $27.00 |
|
How Kentucky compares
Kentucky ranks 42nd 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 $61,290Colorado $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 $43,270Oklahoma $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 Kentucky
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 Kentucky pay ($43,100) 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 Kentucky?
The median Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors salary in Kentucky is $43,100 per year, or about $20.72 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $29,610 at the entry level to $56,170 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Kentucky pay compare to the national average?
Kentucky pays Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors about 13% less than the national median of $49,690. Kentucky ranks 42nd out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Kentucky a good state for Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $43,100 a year. About 1,580 Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors are employed in Kentucky. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Kentucky?
The highest-paying occupations in Kentucky include Cardiologist ($558,180), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($350,950), Anesthesiologist ($347,960), 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.