Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors Salary in Ohio (2026)

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Ohio Median
$49,330
per year
Hourly Rate
$23.72
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-1% vs US median
US median $49,690
State Rank
#26 of 51
4,710 employed here

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

Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors working in Ohio earn a median salary of $49,330 per year, or about $23.72 per hour. That is 1% below the national median of $49,690 for this occupation.

Within Ohio, entry-level pay starts around $35,840 while the top 10% make $62,450 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $42,610 and $59,250 a year.

Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors salary range in Ohio

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$35,840$17.23
25th percentile (early career)$42,610$20.49
50th percentile (median)$49,330$23.72
75th percentile (experienced)$59,250$28.49
90th percentile (top earners)$62,450$30.02

How Ohio compares

Ohio ranks 26th 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 Ohio

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 Ohio pay ($49,330) 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 Ohio?
The median Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors salary in Ohio is $49,330 per year, or about $23.72 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $35,840 at the entry level to $62,450 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Ohio pay compare to the national average?
Ohio pays Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors about 1% less than the national median of $49,690. Ohio ranks 26th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Ohio a good state for Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $49,330 a year. About 4,710 Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors are employed in Ohio. 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 Ohio?
The highest-paying occupations in Ohio include Surgeon, All Other ($554,220), Cardiologist ($504,260), Anesthesiologist ($490,530), 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.