Washington Median
$74,620
per year
Hourly Rate
$35.88
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+50% vs US median
US median $49,690
State Rank
#2 of 51
3,750 employed here
How much do Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors make in Washington?
Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors in Washington take home a median of $74,620 annually — roughly $35.88 an hour — which runs 50% above the national median of $49,690.
Within Washington, entry-level pay starts around $54,070 while the top 10% make $88,990 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $61,700 and $80,750 a year.
Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors salary range in Washington
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $54,070 | $26.00 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $61,700 | $29.66 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $74,620 | $35.88 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $80,750 | $38.82 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $88,990 | $42.78 |
|
How Washington compares
Washington ranks 2nd 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 $75,050New 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 Carolina $34,880South Dakota $32,950
Working as Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors in Washington
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 Washington pay ($74,620) 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 Washington?
The median Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors salary in Washington is $74,620 per year, or about $35.88 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $54,070 at the entry level to $88,990 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Washington pay compare to the national average?
Washington pays Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors about 50% more than the national median of $49,690. Washington ranks 2nd out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Washington a good state for Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors?
Yes on pay — Washington pays above the national median for this occupation, at $74,620 a year. About 3,750 Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors are employed in Washington. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Washington?
The highest-paying occupations in Washington include Cardiologist ($656,330), Orthopedic Surgeon, Except Pediatric ($553,310), Dermatologist ($526,170), 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.