North Carolina Median
$44,670
per year
Hourly Rate
$21.48
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-10% vs US median
US median $49,690
State Rank
#39 of 51
7,250 employed here
How much do Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors make in North Carolina?
Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors in North Carolina take home a median of $44,670 annually — roughly $21.48 an hour — which runs 10% below the national median of $49,690.
Within North Carolina, entry-level pay starts around $25,140 while the top 10% make $58,570 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $34,650 and $49,030 a year.
Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors salary range in North Carolina
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $25,140 | $12.09 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $34,650 | $16.66 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $44,670 | $21.48 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $49,030 | $23.57 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $58,570 | $28.16 |
|
How North Carolina compares
North Carolina ranks 39th 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 $45,510Maine $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 North Carolina
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 North Carolina pay ($44,670) 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 North Carolina?
The median Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors salary in North Carolina is $44,670 per year, or about $21.48 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $25,140 at the entry level to $58,570 for the top 10% of earners.
How does North Carolina pay compare to the national average?
North Carolina pays Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors about 10% less than the national median of $49,690. North Carolina ranks 39th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is North Carolina a good state for Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $44,670 a year. About 7,250 Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors are employed in North Carolina. 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 North Carolina?
The highest-paying occupations in North Carolina include Surgeon, All Other ($398,410), Dermatologist ($367,350), Emergency Medicine Physician ($339,350), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors salary report
Related salaries
$46,420
median pay · 774,000 employed
$62,890
median pay · 624,000 employed
$37,330
median pay · 2,834,000 employed
$61,770
median pay · 10,000 employed
$41,800
median pay · 23,000 employed
$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.