SOC 53-7081 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors — Southern Indiana
Southern Indiana nonmetropolitan area · 6 metro areas compared
At $47,500, median pay for Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors in Southern Indiana, IN tracks the national median of $49,690 closely.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
At $47,500, median pay for Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors in Southern Indiana, IN tracks the national median of $49,690 closely. Pay ranges from under $23,570 at the tenth percentile to more than $60,090 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $32,980 to $55,750.
The area has 140 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 0.75 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Within the state, Muncie records the highest median at $60,940. Of the 397 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 235th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $23,570 | −52.6% |
| 25th | $32,980 | −33.6% |
| Median (50th) | $47,500 | −4.4% |
| 75th | $55,750 | +12.2% |
| 90th | $60,090 | +20.9% |
| Mean | $45,350 | −8.7% |
Other metro areas in Indiana
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Muncie | $60,940 | 30 | |
| 2 | South Bend | $60,080 | 100 | |
| 3 | Indianapolis | $59,710 | 1,030 | |
| 4 | Fort Wayne | $58,650 | 170 | |
| 5 | Evansville | $57,750 | 120 | |
| 6 | Terre Haute | $57,010 | 80 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Southern Indiana run 6.7% below the national average, so the median of $47,500 goes as far as $50,911 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 2.5% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$47,500as reported by BLSLocal price level
93.3US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$50,911US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $47,500 a year, 4.4% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $23,570 to $60,090 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 140 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Muncie, at $60,940.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors in Southern Indiana, IN?
The median annual wage is $47,500, or $22.84 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 Southern Indiana, IN is 4.4% 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 Southern Indiana, IN earns more than $60,090 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $23,570 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 Muncie, at $60,940 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 140 jobs in this occupation in Southern Indiana, IN. 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.
Explore related data