SOC 53-7081 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors — Grand Junction
Grand Junction, CO · 6 metro areas compared
In Grand Junction, CO the median wage for Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors is $54,930 a year, which is 10.5% higher than the national figure of $49,690.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
In Grand Junction, CO the median wage for Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors is $54,930 a year, which is 10.5% higher than the national figure of $49,690. Half of workers earn between $48,320 and $57,150. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $38,790 and the ninetieth at $71,280.
The area has 120 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 1.85 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Boulder leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $66,610. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 142nd of 286 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $38,790 | −21.9% |
| 25th | $48,320 | −2.8% |
| Median (50th) | $54,930 | +10.5% |
| 75th | $57,150 | +15.0% |
| 90th | $71,280 | +43.4% |
| Mean | $54,580 | +9.8% |
Other metro areas in Colorado
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Boulder | $66,610 | 110 | |
| 2 | Denver | $61,190 | 1,970 | |
| 3 | Colorado Springs | $58,530 | 420 | |
| 4 | Greeley | $56,160 | 250 | |
| 5 | Fort Collins | $56,020 | 120 | |
| 6 | Pueblo | $46,750 | 120 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Grand Junction run 3.1% above the national average, so the median of $54,930 buys what $53,278 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way the gap against the national median narrows to 7.2% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$54,930as reported by BLSLocal price level
103.1US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$53,278US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $54,930 a year, 10.5% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $38,790 to $71,280 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 120 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Boulder, at $66,610.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors in Grand Junction, CO?
The median annual wage is $54,930, or $26.41 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 Grand Junction, CO is 10.5% 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 Grand Junction, CO earns more than $71,280 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $38,790 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 Boulder, at $66,610 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 120 jobs in this occupation in Grand Junction, CO. 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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