South Carolina Median
$34,880
per year
Hourly Rate
$16.77
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-30% vs US median
US median $49,690
State Rank
#50 of 51
2,020 employed here
How much do Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors make in South Carolina?
Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors working in South Carolina earn a median salary of $34,880 per year, or about $16.77 per hour. That is 30% below the national median of $49,690 for this occupation.
Within South Carolina, entry-level pay starts around $22,340 while the top 10% make $50,600 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $27,850 and $42,150 a year.
Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors salary range in South Carolina
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $22,340 | $10.74 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $27,850 | $13.39 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $34,880 | $16.77 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $42,150 | $20.26 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $50,600 | $24.33 |
|
How South Carolina compares
South Carolina ranks 50th 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 $45,510North Carolina $44,670Maine $43,360Tennessee $43,270Kentucky $43,100Oklahoma $43,060Maryland $41,870Mississippi $39,170Louisiana $38,810Connecticut $38,220West Virginia $35,840Arkansas $35,640South Dakota $32,950
Working as Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors in South 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 South Carolina pay ($34,880) 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 South Carolina?
The median Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors salary in South Carolina is $34,880 per year, or about $16.77 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $22,340 at the entry level to $50,600 for the top 10% of earners.
How does South Carolina pay compare to the national average?
South Carolina pays Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors about 30% less than the national median of $49,690. South Carolina ranks 50th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is South Carolina a good state for Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $34,880 a year. About 2,020 Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors are employed in South 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 South Carolina?
The highest-paying occupations in South Carolina include General Internal Medicine Physician ($359,500), Neurologist ($352,680), Emergency Medicine Physician ($341,960), 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.