Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors Salary Trend (2011–2024)
Historical salary and employment data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Median Salary in 2024
$48,350
↑ 49.8% since 2011
Median Salary Over Time
Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors — Median Annual Salary
Employment Over Time
Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors — Total Employment
Key Insights
📈Salaries grew 49.8% since 2011 ($32,280 → $48,350)
🏆Peak year: 2024 at $48,350
🦠COVID impact: Salary rose 3.3% from 2019 to 2020, likely reflecting workforce composition changes.
💰After inflation (~3%/yr), real growth is approximately +2%
Year-by-Year Salary Data
| Year | Median Salary | YoY Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $48,350 | +5.7% |
| 2023 | $45,760 | +5.1% |
| 2022 | $43,540 | +13.1% |
| 2021 | $38,500 | -1.5% |
| 2020 | $39,100 | +3.3% |
| 2019 | $37,840 | +1.6% |
| 2018 | $37,260 | +3.0% |
| 2017 | $36,160 | +2.5% |
| 2016 | $35,270 | +4.3% |
| 2015 | $33,800 | +0.4% |
| 2014 | $33,660 | +2.9% |
| 2013 | $32,720 | -0.6% |
| 2012 | $32,930 | +2.0% |
| 2011 | $32,280 | — |
Data Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2011–2024. All figures are annual median wages in nominal dollars.