SOC 53-7081 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors — Cleveland
Cleveland, OH · 10 metro areas compared
In Cleveland, OH the median wage for Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors is $55,090 a year, which is 10.9% higher than the national figure of $49,690.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
In Cleveland, OH the median wage for Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors is $55,090 a year, which is 10.9% higher than the national figure of $49,690. Half of workers earn between $45,690 and $61,100. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $40,030 and the ninetieth at $61,710.
The area has 880 jobs in this occupation, which works out to 0.9 of every thousand jobs. Columbus leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $57,510. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 348th of 616 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $40,030 | −19.4% |
| 25th | $45,690 | −8.0% |
| Median (50th) | $55,090 | +10.9% |
| 75th | $61,100 | +23.0% |
| 90th | $61,710 | +24.2% |
| Mean | $52,530 | +5.7% |
Other metro areas in Ohio
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Columbus | $57,510 | 930 | |
| 2 | Mansfield | $50,210 | 70 | |
| 3 | Cincinnati | $49,940 | 950 | |
| 4 | Canton | $49,920 | 120 | |
| 5 | Dayton | $49,010 | 320 | |
| 6 | Akron | $47,830 | 110 | |
| 7 | Youngstown | $46,210 | 140 | |
| 8 | Lima | $45,600 | 50 | |
| 9 | Toledo | $45,500 | 130 | |
| 10 | Springfield | $35,080 | 30 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Cleveland run 7.2% below the national average, so the median of $55,090 goes as far as $59,364 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 19.5% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$55,090as reported by BLSLocal price level
92.8US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$59,364US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $55,090 a year, 10.9% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $40,030 to $61,710 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 880 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Columbus, at $57,510.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors in Cleveland, OH?
The median annual wage is $55,090, or $26.49 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 Cleveland, OH is 10.9% higher. 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 Cleveland, OH earns more than $61,710 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $40,030 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 Columbus, at $57,510 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 880 jobs in this occupation in Cleveland, OH. 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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