SOC 53-7081 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors — Central Missouri
Central Missouri nonmetropolitan area · 4 metro areas compared
Median pay for this occupation in Central Missouri, MO is $40,480 a year, trailing the national median of $49,690 by 18.5%.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
Median pay for this occupation in Central Missouri, MO is $40,480 a year, trailing the national median of $49,690 by 18.5%. The middle half of workers in this occupation earn between $36,470 and $51,830. The lowest tenth earn under $29,650, while the highest tenth earn more than $58,810.
The area has 190 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 1.32 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Within the state, St. Louis records the highest median at $60,750. Of the 371 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 253rd.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $29,650 | −40.3% |
| 25th | $36,470 | −26.6% |
| Median (50th) | $40,480 | −18.5% |
| 75th | $51,830 | +4.3% |
| 90th | $58,810 | +18.4% |
| Mean | $44,070 | −11.3% |
Other metro areas in Missouri
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | St. Louis | $60,750 | 970 | |
| 2 | Joplin | $49,250 | 60 | |
| 3 | Springfield | $46,790 | 130 | |
| 4 | Kansas City | $43,400 | 540 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Central Missouri run 9.2% below the national average, so the median of $40,480 goes as far as $44,581 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 10.3% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$40,480as reported by BLSLocal price level
90.8US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$44,581US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $40,480 a year, 18.5% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $29,650 to $58,810 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 190 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is St. Louis, at $60,750.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors in Central Missouri, MO?
The median annual wage is $40,480, or $19.46 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $49,690, so pay in Central Missouri, MO is 18.5% lower. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Central Missouri, MO earns more than $58,810 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $29,650 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in St. Louis, at $60,750 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 190 jobs in this occupation in Central Missouri, MO. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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