Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors Salary in Rhode Island (2026)

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Rhode Island Median
$55,970
per year
Hourly Rate
$26.91
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+13% vs US median
US median $49,690
State Rank
#15 of 51
470 employed here

How much do Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors make in Rhode Island?

Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors working in Rhode Island earn a median salary of $55,970 per year, or about $26.91 per hour. That is 13% above the national median of $49,690 for this occupation.

Within Rhode Island, entry-level pay starts around $34,810 while the top 10% make $61,370 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $47,790 and $59,970 a year.

Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors salary range in Rhode Island

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$34,810$16.74
25th percentile (early career)$47,790$22.98
50th percentile (median)$55,970$26.91
75th percentile (experienced)$59,970$28.83
90th percentile (top earners)$61,370$29.50

How Rhode Island compares

Rhode Island ranks 15th 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 Rhode Island

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 Rhode Island pay ($55,970) 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 Rhode Island?
The median Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors salary in Rhode Island is $55,970 per year, or about $26.91 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $34,810 at the entry level to $61,370 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Rhode Island pay compare to the national average?
Rhode Island pays Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors about 13% more than the national median of $49,690. Rhode Island ranks 15th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Rhode Island a good state for Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors?
Yes on pay — Rhode Island pays above the national median for this occupation, at $55,970 a year. About 470 Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors are employed in Rhode Island. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Rhode Island?
The highest-paying occupations in Rhode Island include Emergency Medicine Physician ($512,730), Family Medicine Physician ($467,160), Ophthalmologist, Except Pediatric ($450,370), 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.