SOC 53-7081 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors — Rapid City
Rapid City, SD · 1 metro areas compared
The median wage for Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors in Rapid City, SD is $29,960 per year, substantially below the national median of $49,690 — a gap of 39.7%.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage for Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors in Rapid City, SD is $29,960 per year, substantially below the national median of $49,690 — a gap of 39.7%. Half of workers earn between $28,510 and $34,680. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $25,700 and the ninetieth at $49,560.
The area has 30 jobs in this occupation, which works out to 0.5 of every thousand jobs. Within the state, Sioux Falls records the highest median at $31,390. Of the 310 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 300th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $25,700 | −48.3% |
| 25th | $28,510 | −42.6% |
| Median (50th) | $29,960 | −39.7% |
| 75th | $34,680 | −30.2% |
| 90th | $49,560 | −0.3% |
| Mean | $33,460 | −32.7% |
Other metro areas in South Dakota
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sioux Falls | $31,390 | 90 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Rapid City run 11.4% below the national average, so the median of $29,960 goes as far as $33,815 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 31.9% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$29,960as reported by BLSLocal price level
88.6US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$33,815US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $29,960 a year, 39.7% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $25,700 to $49,560 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 30 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Sioux Falls, at $31,390.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors in Rapid City, SD?
The median annual wage is $29,960, or $14.40 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 Rapid City, SD is 39.7% 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 Rapid City, SD earns more than $49,560 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $25,700 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 Sioux Falls, at $31,390 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 30 jobs in this occupation in Rapid City, SD. 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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