SOC 53-7081 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors — South Florida
South Florida nonmetropolitan area · 10 metro areas compared
In South Florida, FL the median wage is $41,780.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
In South Florida, FL the median wage is $41,780. That is 15.9% lower than the national median of $49,690. Pay ranges from under $32,180 at the tenth percentile to more than $61,330 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $34,840 to $50,660.
Employment stands at 140, or 1.5 jobs per thousand held locally. Within the state, Wildwood records the highest median at $52,060. Of the 284 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 211th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $32,180 | −35.2% |
| 25th | $34,840 | −29.9% |
| Median (50th) | $41,780 | −15.9% |
| 75th | $50,660 | +2.0% |
| 90th | $61,330 | +23.4% |
| Mean | $44,510 | −10.4% |
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 | Palm Bay | $48,870 | 170 | |
| 5 | Pensacola | $48,760 | 250 | |
| 6 | Jacksonville | $48,150 | 760 | |
| 7 | Naples | $48,100 | — | |
| 8 | Cape Coral | $47,700 | 510 | |
| 9 | Panama City | $47,690 | 140 | |
| 10 | Tampa | $47,620 | 1,930 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in South Florida run 3.4% above the national average, so the median of $41,780 buys what $40,406 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way the gap against the national median narrows to 18.7% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$41,780as reported by BLSLocal price level
103.4US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$40,406US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $41,780 a year, 15.9% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $32,180 to $61,330 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 140 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 South Florida, FL?
The median annual wage is $41,780, or $20.09 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 South Florida, FL is 15.9% 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 South Florida, FL earns more than $61,330 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $32,180 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 140 jobs in this occupation in South Florida, 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.
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