New Jersey Median
$54,630
per year
Hourly Rate
$26.26
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+10% vs US median
US median $49,690
State Rank
#17 of 51
4,330 employed here
How much do Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors make in New Jersey?
Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors working in New Jersey earn a median salary of $54,630 per year, or about $26.26 per hour. That is 10% above the national median of $49,690 for this occupation.
Within New Jersey, entry-level pay starts around $37,590 while the top 10% make $71,230 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $41,920 and $65,370 a year.
Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors salary range in New Jersey
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,590 | $18.07 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $41,920 | $20.15 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $54,630 | $26.26 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $65,370 | $31.43 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $71,230 | $34.25 |
|
How New Jersey compares
New Jersey ranks 17th 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 $55,490Vermont $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 New Jersey
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 New Jersey pay ($54,630) 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 New Jersey?
The median Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors salary in New Jersey is $54,630 per year, or about $26.26 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $37,590 at the entry level to $71,230 for the top 10% of earners.
How does New Jersey pay compare to the national average?
New Jersey pays Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors about 10% more than the national median of $49,690. New Jersey ranks 17th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is New Jersey a good state for Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors?
Yes on pay — New Jersey pays above the national median for this occupation, at $54,630 a year. About 4,330 Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors are employed in New Jersey. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in New Jersey?
The highest-paying occupations in New Jersey include Radiologist ($482,700), Surgeon, All Other ($437,890), Physician, Pathologists ($355,970), 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.