SOC 53-7081 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors — Portland
Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA · 5 metro areas compared
In Portland, OR the median wage for Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors reaches $65,920 a year.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
In Portland, OR the median wage for Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors reaches $65,920 a year. That is 32.7% more than the national median of $49,690. Pay ranges from under $60,830 at the tenth percentile to more than $76,310 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $63,640 to $72,400.
The area has 1,500 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 1.31 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Within the state, Albany records the highest median at $63,210. Of the 681 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 362nd.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $60,830 | +22.4% |
| 25th | $63,640 | +28.1% |
| Median (50th) | $65,920 | +32.7% |
| 75th | $72,400 | +45.7% |
| 90th | $76,310 | +53.6% |
| Mean | $66,580 | +34.0% |
Other metro areas in Oregon
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Portland run 3.4% above the national average, so the median of $65,920 buys what $63,752 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way the gap against the national median narrows to 28.3% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$65,920as reported by BLSLocal price level
103.4US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$63,752US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $65,920 a year, 32.7% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $60,830 to $76,310 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 1,500 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Albany, at $63,210.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors in Portland, OR?
The median annual wage is $65,920, or $31.69 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 Portland, OR is 32.7% 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 Portland, OR earns more than $76,310 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $60,830 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 Albany, at $63,210 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 1,500 jobs in this occupation in Portland, OR. 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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