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 level | Annual salary | Hourly 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:
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 $47,820Georgia $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 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
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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.