Tennessee Median
$43,270
per year
Hourly Rate
$20.80
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-13% vs US median
US median $49,690
State Rank
#41 of 51
2,550 employed here
How much do Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors make in Tennessee?
Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors in Tennessee take home a median of $43,270 annually — roughly $20.80 an hour — which runs 13% below the national median of $49,690.
Within Tennessee, entry-level pay starts around $28,390 while the top 10% make $61,400 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $35,410 and $57,330 a year.
Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors salary range in Tennessee
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $28,390 | $13.65 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $35,410 | $17.02 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $43,270 | $20.80 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $57,330 | $27.56 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $61,400 | $29.52 |
|
How Tennessee compares
Tennessee ranks 41st 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 $43,360Kentucky $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 Tennessee
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 Tennessee pay ($43,270) 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 Tennessee?
The median Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors salary in Tennessee is $43,270 per year, or about $20.80 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $28,390 at the entry level to $61,400 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Tennessee pay compare to the national average?
Tennessee pays Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors about 13% less than the national median of $49,690. Tennessee ranks 41st out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Tennessee a good state for Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $43,270 a year. About 2,550 Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors are employed in Tennessee. 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 Tennessee?
The highest-paying occupations in Tennessee include Cardiologist ($610,080), Dermatologist ($433,630), Surgeon, All Other ($373,510), 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.