SOC 53-7081 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors — Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania · 10 metro areas compared
The median wage for Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors in Pennsylvania is $48,240 per year, close to the national median of $49,690 for the same occupation.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage for Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors in Pennsylvania is $48,240 per year, close to the national median of $49,690 for the same occupation. Half of workers earn between $37,440 and $61,960. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $31,200 and the ninetieth at $66,660.
Employment stands at 6,220, or 1.0 jobs per thousand held locally. Pennsylvania ranks number 28th out of 51 states by median pay for this occupation. Within the state, Philadelphia records the highest median at $59,730. Of the 778 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 532nd.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $31,200 | −37.2% |
| 25th | $37,440 | −24.7% |
| Median (50th) | $48,240 | −2.9% |
| 75th | $61,960 | +24.7% |
| 90th | $66,660 | +34.2% |
| Mean | $49,400 | −0.6% |
Highest-paying metro areas in Pennsylvania
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Philadelphia | $59,730 | 2,610 | |
| 2 | Chambersburg | $59,380 | 110 | |
| 3 | Harrisburg | $58,680 | 140 | |
| 4 | Allentown | $51,610 | 480 | |
| 5 | Pittsburgh | $49,730 | 1,220 | |
| 6 | State College | $48,940 | 80 | |
| 7 | York | $47,040 | 150 | |
| 8 | Erie | $46,380 | 170 | |
| 9 | Scranton | $45,960 | 340 | |
| 10 | Lancaster | $45,540 | 300 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Pennsylvania run 2.4% below the national average, so the median of $48,240 goes as far as $49,426 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 0.5% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$48,240as reported by BLSLocal price level
97.6US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$49,426US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $48,240 a year, 2.9% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $31,200 to $66,660 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 6,220 jobs in this occupation.
- It ranks 28th of 51 states for this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Philadelphia, at $59,730.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors in Pennsylvania?
The median annual wage is $48,240, or $23.19 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 Pennsylvania is 2.9% 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 Pennsylvania earns more than $66,660 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $31,200 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 Philadelphia, at $59,730 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 6,220 jobs in this occupation in Pennsylvania. 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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