Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors Salary in Michigan (2026)

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Michigan Median
$51,030
per year
Hourly Rate
$24.53
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+3% vs US median
US median $49,690
State Rank
#19 of 51
4,020 employed here

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

Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors working in Michigan earn a median salary of $51,030 per year, or about $24.53 per hour. That is 3% above the national median of $49,690 for this occupation.

Within Michigan, entry-level pay starts around $34,150 while the top 10% make $76,360 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $37,510 and $61,460 a year.

Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors salary range in Michigan

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$34,150$16.42
25th percentile (early career)$37,510$18.03
50th percentile (median)$51,030$24.53
75th percentile (experienced)$61,460$29.55
90th percentile (top earners)$76,360$36.71

How Michigan compares

Michigan ranks 19th 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 Michigan

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 Michigan pay ($51,030) 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 Michigan?
The median Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors salary in Michigan is $51,030 per year, or about $24.53 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $34,150 at the entry level to $76,360 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Michigan pay compare to the national average?
Michigan pays Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors about 3% more than the national median of $49,690. Michigan ranks 19th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Michigan a good state for Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors?
Yes on pay — Michigan pays above the national median for this occupation, at $51,030 a year. About 4,020 Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors are employed in Michigan. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Michigan?
The highest-paying occupations in Michigan include Radiologist ($485,920), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($428,570), Cardiologist ($419,030), 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.