SOC 53-7081 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors — Coastal Plains Region of Texas
Coastal Plains Region of Texas nonmetropolitan area · 10 metro areas compared
At $36,990, this is one of the lower medians recorded for Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors, 25.6% beneath the national figure of $49,690.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
At $36,990, this is one of the lower medians recorded for Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors, 25.6% beneath the national figure of $49,690. Pay ranges from under $23,710 at the tenth percentile to more than $50,260 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $30,220 to $45,470.
The area has 90 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 0.67 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Within the state, Midland records the highest median at $56,660. Of the 349 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 266th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $23,710 | −52.3% |
| 25th | $30,220 | −39.2% |
| Median (50th) | $36,990 | −25.6% |
| 75th | $45,470 | −8.5% |
| 90th | $50,260 | +1.1% |
| Mean | $37,500 | −24.5% |
Other metro areas in Texas
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Midland | $56,660 | 80 | |
| 2 | San Antonio | $50,040 | 1,060 | |
| 3 | Austin | $49,560 | 1,410 | |
| 4 | Corpus Christi | $48,940 | 250 | |
| 5 | Beaumont | $48,650 | 250 | |
| 6 | Sherman | $48,030 | 70 | |
| 7 | Dallas | $47,960 | 4,300 | |
| 8 | Houston | $46,320 | 2,310 | |
| 9 | Odessa | $46,180 | 60 | |
| 10 | College Station | $45,820 | 110 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Coastal Plains Region of Texas run 2.9% below the national average, so the median of $36,990 goes as far as $38,095 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 23.3% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$36,990as reported by BLSLocal price level
97.1US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$38,095US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $36,990 a year, 25.6% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $23,710 to $50,260 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 90 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Midland, at $56,660.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors in Coastal Plains Region of Texas, TX?
The median annual wage is $36,990, or $17.78 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 Coastal Plains Region of Texas, TX is 25.6% 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 Coastal Plains Region of Texas, TX earns more than $50,260 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $23,710 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 Midland, at $56,660 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 90 jobs in this occupation in Coastal Plains Region of Texas, TX. 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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