SOC 53-7081 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors — District of Columbia
District of Columbia · 1 metro areas compared
The median wage for Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors in District of Columbia is $55,490 per year, 11.7% above the national median of $49,690.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage for Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors in District of Columbia is $55,490 per year, 11.7% above the national median of $49,690. Half of workers earn between $45,740 and $63,710. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $39,810 and the ninetieth at $76,020.
Employment stands at 540, or 0.8 jobs per thousand held locally. District of Columbia ranks number 16th out of 51 states by median pay for this occupation. Within the state, Washington records the highest median at $46,530. Of the 465 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 361st.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $39,810 | −19.9% |
| 25th | $45,740 | −7.9% |
| Median (50th) | $55,490 | +11.7% |
| 75th | $63,710 | +28.2% |
| 90th | $76,020 | +53.0% |
| Mean | $55,960 | +12.6% |
Highest-paying metro areas in District of Columbia
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington | $46,530 | 3,100 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in District of Columbia run 9.9% above the national average, so the median of $55,490 buys what $50,491 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way the gap against the national median narrows to 1.6% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$55,490as reported by BLSLocal price level
109.9US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$50,491US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $55,490 a year, 11.7% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $39,810 to $76,020 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 540 jobs in this occupation.
- It ranks 16th of 51 states for this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Washington, at $46,530.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors in District of Columbia?
The median annual wage is $55,490, or $26.68 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 District of Columbia is 11.7% 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 District of Columbia earns more than $76,020 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $39,810 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 Washington, at $46,530 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 540 jobs in this occupation in District of Columbia. 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.
Explore related data