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Occupation · SOC 53-7081

Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors

There are 147,240 jobs in the U.S. Median pay is $49,690 a year. The most jobs are in New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJ.

TransportationTypical education: No formal educational credential
147,240
Jobs in the U.S.
People employed, May 2025
$49,690
Median pay a year
Middle half: $39,080–$62,020
15,500
Annual openings
10-year change: +2.1%
No formal educational credential
Typical education to enter

Metro areas with the highest employment

10 of 312 metro areas with BLS data for this occupation. LCA filings: Apr 2025–Mar 2026.

Metro areaEmploymentMedian payLCA filings
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJMedian pay $65,310 · LCA filings 013,310$65,3100
Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington, TXMedian pay $47,960 · LCA filings 04,300$47,9600
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CAMedian pay $62,490 · LCA filings 04,210$62,4900
Miami–Fort Lauderdale–West Palm Beach, FLMedian pay $49,770 · LCA filings 03,370$49,7700
Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INMedian pay $77,470 · LCA filings 03,330$77,4700
Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WVMedian pay $46,530 · LCA filings 03,100$46,5300
Atlanta–Sandy Springs–Roswell, GAMedian pay $47,840 · LCA filings 02,950$47,8400
Philadelphia–Camden–Wilmington, PA–NJ–DE–MDMedian pay $59,730 · LCA filings 02,610$59,7300
Houston–Pasadena–The Woodlands, TXMedian pay $46,320 · LCA filings 02,310$46,3200
Seattle–Tacoma–Bellevue, WAMedian pay $75,090 · LCA filings 02,100$75,0900

Metro areas with the highest median pay

Median pay for this occupation in each metro area, May 2025.

Metro areaMedian payEmploymentLCA filings
San Jose–Sunnyvale–Santa Clara, CAEmployment 870 · LCA filings 0$87,4308700
San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CAEmployment 2,040 · LCA filings 0$77,5702,0400
Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INEmployment 3,330 · LCA filings 0$77,4703,3300
Olympia–Lacey–Tumwater, WAEmployment 130 · LCA filings 0$76,3401300
Davenport–Moline–Rock Island, IA–ILEmployment 750 · LCA filings 0$75,4407500

Prevailing wage levels (H-1B and PERM)

The minimum yearly wage by level. Level I is entry level and Level IV is fully competent; an H-1B employer must pay at least the level that fits the job.

Metro areaLevel ILevel IILevel IIILevel IV
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJLevel II $54,621 · Level III $65,915 · Level IV $77,210$43,326$54,621$65,915$77,210
Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington, TXLevel II $38,272 · Level III $45,365 · Level IV $52,437$31,200$38,272$45,365$52,437
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CALevel II $53,186 · Level III $61,630 · Level IV $70,075$44,741$53,186$61,630$70,075
Miami–Fort Lauderdale–West Palm Beach, FLLevel II $43,534 · Level III $50,544 · Level IV $57,574$36,504$43,534$50,544$57,574
Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INLevel II $61,318 · Level III $71,469 · Level IV $81,619$51,168$61,318$71,469$81,619
Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WVLevel II $44,595 · Level III $50,606 · Level IV $56,618$38,584$44,595$50,606$56,618
Atlanta–Sandy Springs–Roswell, GALevel II $41,517 · Level III $48,235 · Level IV $54,954$34,798$41,517$48,235$54,954
Philadelphia–Camden–Wilmington, PA–NJ–DE–MDLevel II $47,133 · Level III $55,619 · Level IV $64,106$38,646$47,133$55,619$64,106
Houston–Pasadena–The Woodlands, TXLevel II $38,875 · Level III $45,178 · Level IV $51,501$32,552$38,875$45,178$51,501
Seattle–Tacoma–Bellevue, WALevel II $68,765 · Level III $76,336 · Level IV $83,928$61,173$68,765$76,336$83,928

Source: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027.

See Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors in every metro area

All 312 metro areas, pay in each, related majors, schools in each job market, and employers with LCA filing history.

Employers with LCA filings for this occupation

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Related occupations · Transportation

Stockers and Order FillersLaborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, HandHeavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck DriversLight Truck DriversIndustrial Truck and Tractor OperatorsPackers and Packagers, HandBus Drivers, SchoolFirst-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors

Sources: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 · BLS Employment Projections 2025-35 · U.S. Department of Labor LCA disclosure data, Apr 2025–Mar 2026 · IPEDS 2024–25. Prevailing wages: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027. Methodology