SOC 53-7081 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors — Palm Bay
Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, FL · 10 metro areas compared
The median wage here is $48,870 a year, within a few percent of the national median of $49,690.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage here is $48,870 a year, within a few percent of the national median of $49,690. Half of workers earn between $47,460 and $58,210. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $34,100 and the ninetieth at $58,210.
The area has 170 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 0.72 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Wildwood leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $52,060. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 243rd of 414 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $34,100 | −31.4% |
| 25th | $47,460 | −4.5% |
| Median (50th) | $48,870 | −1.7% |
| 75th | $58,210 | +17.1% |
| 90th | $58,210 | +17.1% |
| Mean | $50,020 | +0.7% |
Other metro areas in Florida
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wildwood | $52,060 | — | |
| 2 | Miami | $49,770 | 3,370 | |
| 3 | Orlando | $48,920 | 1,420 | |
| 4 | Pensacola | $48,760 | 250 | |
| 5 | Jacksonville | $48,150 | 760 | |
| 6 | Naples | $48,100 | — | |
| 7 | Cape Coral | $47,700 | 510 | |
| 8 | Panama City | $47,690 | 140 | |
| 9 | Tampa | $47,620 | 1,930 | |
| 10 | North Port | $47,490 | 350 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Palm Bay run 3.4% above the national average, so the median of $48,870 buys what $47,263 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way the gap against the national median narrows to 4.9% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$48,870as reported by BLSLocal price level
103.4US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$47,263US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $48,870 a year, 1.7% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $34,100 to $58,210 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 170 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Wildwood, at $52,060.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors in Palm Bay, FL?
The median annual wage is $48,870, or $23.50 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 Palm Bay, FL is 1.7% 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 Palm Bay, FL earns more than $58,210 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $34,100 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 Wildwood, at $52,060 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 170 jobs in this occupation in Palm Bay, FL. 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