Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors Salary in New Mexico (2026)

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
New Mexico Median
$47,660
per year
Hourly Rate
$22.91
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-4% vs US median
US median $49,690
State Rank
#30 of 51
1,070 employed here

How much do Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors make in New Mexico?

Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors working in New Mexico earn a median salary of $47,660 per year, or about $22.91 per hour. That is 4% below the national median of $49,690 for this occupation.

Within New Mexico, entry-level pay starts around $34,870 while the top 10% make $61,040 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $41,870 and $50,140 a year.

Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors salary range in New Mexico

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$34,870$16.76
25th percentile (early career)$41,870$20.13
50th percentile (median)$47,660$22.91
75th percentile (experienced)$50,140$24.11
90th percentile (top earners)$61,040$29.35

How New Mexico compares

New Mexico ranks 30th 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 New Mexico

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 Mexico pay ($47,660) 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 Mexico?
The median Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors salary in New Mexico is $47,660 per year, or about $22.91 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $34,870 at the entry level to $61,040 for the top 10% of earners.
How does New Mexico pay compare to the national average?
New Mexico pays Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors about 4% less than the national median of $49,690. New Mexico ranks 30th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is New Mexico a good state for Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $47,660 a year. About 1,070 Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors are employed in New Mexico. 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 New Mexico?
The highest-paying occupations in New Mexico include Emergency Medicine Physician ($405,130), Anesthesiologist ($393,970), Surgeon, All Other ($363,940), 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.