Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors Salary in Texas (2026)

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Texas Median
$46,330
per year
Hourly Rate
$22.27
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-7% vs US median
US median $49,690
State Rank
#35 of 51
12,860 employed here

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

Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors working in Texas earn a median salary of $46,330 per year, or about $22.27 per hour. That is 7% below the national median of $49,690 for this occupation.

Within Texas, entry-level pay starts around $30,830 while the top 10% make $59,380 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $35,880 and $50,040 a year.

Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors salary range in Texas

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$30,830$14.82
25th percentile (early career)$35,880$17.25
50th percentile (median)$46,330$22.27
75th percentile (experienced)$50,040$24.06
90th percentile (top earners)$59,380$28.55

How Texas compares

Texas ranks 35th 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 Texas

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 Texas pay ($46,330) 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 Texas?
The median Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors salary in Texas is $46,330 per year, or about $22.27 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $30,830 at the entry level to $59,380 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Texas pay compare to the national average?
Texas pays Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors about 7% less than the national median of $49,690. Texas ranks 35th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Texas a good state for Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $46,330 a year. About 12,860 Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors are employed in Texas. 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 Texas?
The highest-paying occupations in Texas include Cardiologist ($410,150), Neurologist ($360,640), Physician, Pathologists ($345,830), 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.