SOC 53-7081 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors — Milwaukee
Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI · 6 metro areas compared
At $63,640 a year, the median wage for Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors in Milwaukee, WI sits 28.1% above the national figure of $49,690.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
At $63,640 a year, the median wage for Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors in Milwaukee, WI sits 28.1% above the national figure of $49,690. Half of workers earn between $58,470 and $64,050. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $33,630 and the ninetieth at $64,200.
The area has 410 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 0.53 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Janesville leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $61,680. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 281st of 593 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $33,630 | −32.3% |
| 25th | $58,470 | +17.7% |
| Median (50th) | $63,640 | +28.1% |
| 75th | $64,050 | +28.9% |
| 90th | $64,200 | +29.2% |
| Mean | $57,730 | +16.2% |
Other metro areas in Wisconsin
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Janesville | $61,680 | 90 | |
| 2 | Kenosha | $60,400 | 50 | |
| 3 | Madison | $59,810 | 60 | |
| 4 | Eau Claire | $58,880 | 70 | |
| 5 | La Crosse | $50,030 | 40 | |
| 6 | Green Bay | $48,000 | 40 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Milwaukee run 5.9% below the national average, so the median of $63,640 goes as far as $67,630 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 36.1% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$63,640as reported by BLSLocal price level
94.1US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$67,630US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $63,640 a year, 28.1% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $33,630 to $64,200 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 410 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Janesville, at $61,680.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors in Milwaukee, WI?
The median annual wage is $63,640, or $30.60 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 Milwaukee, WI is 28.1% 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 Milwaukee, WI earns more than $64,200 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $33,630 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 Janesville, at $61,680 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 410 jobs in this occupation in Milwaukee, WI. 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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