Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors Salary in Wisconsin (2026)

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Wisconsin Median
$59,810
per year
Hourly Rate
$28.75
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+20% vs US median
US median $49,690
State Rank
#10 of 51
1,550 employed here

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

Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors in Wisconsin take home a median of $59,810 annually — roughly $28.75 an hour — which runs 20% above the national median of $49,690.

Within Wisconsin, entry-level pay starts around $33,360 while the top 10% make $64,200 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $48,440 and $63,430 a year.

Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors salary range in Wisconsin

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$33,360$16.04
25th percentile (early career)$48,440$23.29
50th percentile (median)$59,810$28.75
75th percentile (experienced)$63,430$30.50
90th percentile (top earners)$64,200$30.87

How Wisconsin compares

Wisconsin ranks 10th 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 Wisconsin

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 Wisconsin pay ($59,810) 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 Wisconsin?
The median Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors salary in Wisconsin is $59,810 per year, or about $28.75 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $33,360 at the entry level to $64,200 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Wisconsin pay compare to the national average?
Wisconsin pays Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors about 20% more than the national median of $49,690. Wisconsin ranks 10th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Wisconsin a good state for Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors?
Yes on pay — Wisconsin pays above the national median for this occupation, at $59,810 a year. About 1,550 Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors are employed in Wisconsin. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Wisconsin?
The highest-paying occupations in Wisconsin include Cardiologist ($636,580), Orthopedic Surgeon, Except Pediatric ($572,060), Anesthesiologist ($443,990), 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.