SOC 53-7081 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors — Southeast Oklahoma
Southeast Oklahoma nonmetropolitan area · 3 metro areas compared
Median pay in Southeast Oklahoma, OK is $36,960 a year, 25.6% under the national median of $49,690 for this occupation.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
Median pay in Southeast Oklahoma, OK is $36,960 a year, 25.6% under the national median of $49,690 for this occupation. The middle half of workers in this occupation earn between $35,400 and $43,710. The lowest tenth earn under $29,640, while the highest tenth earn more than $45,400.
The area has 370 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 2.12 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Within the state, Oklahoma City records the highest median at $50,540. Of the 411 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 310th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $29,640 | −40.4% |
| 25th | $35,400 | −28.8% |
| Median (50th) | $36,960 | −25.6% |
| 75th | $43,710 | −12.0% |
| 90th | $45,400 | −8.6% |
| Mean | $38,600 | −22.3% |
Other metro areas in Oklahoma
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oklahoma City | $50,540 | 590 | |
| 2 | Tulsa | $38,330 | 540 | |
| 3 | Lawton | $37,490 | 50 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Southeast Oklahoma run 12.2% below the national average, so the median of $36,960 goes as far as $42,096 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 15.3% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$36,960as reported by BLSLocal price level
87.8US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$42,096US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $36,960 a year, 25.6% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $29,640 to $45,400 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 370 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Oklahoma City, at $50,540.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors in Southeast Oklahoma, OK?
The median annual wage is $36,960, or $17.77 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 Southeast Oklahoma, OK is 25.6% 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 Southeast Oklahoma, OK earns more than $45,400 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $29,640 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 Oklahoma City, at $50,540 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 370 jobs in this occupation in Southeast Oklahoma, OK. 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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