SOC 53-7081 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors — Central Pennsylvania
Central Pennsylvania nonmetropolitan area · 10 metro areas compared
Median pay for this occupation in Central Pennsylvania, PA is $39,930 a year, trailing the national median of $49,690 by 19.6%.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
Median pay for this occupation in Central Pennsylvania, PA is $39,930 a year, trailing the national median of $49,690 by 19.6%. Half of workers earn between $36,300 and $45,220. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $29,230 and the ninetieth at $55,530.
The area has 300 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 1.71 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Philadelphia leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $59,730. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 309th of 403 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $29,230 | −41.2% |
| 25th | $36,300 | −26.9% |
| Median (50th) | $39,930 | −19.6% |
| 75th | $45,220 | −9.0% |
| 90th | $55,530 | +11.8% |
| Mean | $41,410 | −16.7% |
Other metro areas in Pennsylvania
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Philadelphia | $59,730 | 2,610 | |
| 2 | Chambersburg | $59,380 | 110 | |
| 3 | Harrisburg | $58,680 | 140 | |
| 4 | Allentown | $51,610 | 480 | |
| 5 | Pittsburgh | $49,730 | 1,220 | |
| 6 | State College | $48,940 | 80 | |
| 7 | York | $47,040 | 150 | |
| 8 | Erie | $46,380 | 170 | |
| 9 | Scranton | $45,960 | 340 | |
| 10 | Lancaster | $45,540 | 300 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Central Pennsylvania run 2.4% below the national average, so the median of $39,930 goes as far as $40,912 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 17.7% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$39,930as reported by BLSLocal price level
97.6US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$40,912US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $39,930 a year, 19.6% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $29,230 to $55,530 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 300 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Philadelphia, at $59,730.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors in Central Pennsylvania, PA?
The median annual wage is $39,930, or $19.20 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 Pennsylvania, PA is 19.6% 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 Pennsylvania, PA earns more than $55,530 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $29,230 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 Philadelphia, at $59,730 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 300 jobs in this occupation in Central Pennsylvania, PA. 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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