SOC 53-7081 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors — Southwest Virginia
Southwest Virginia nonmetropolitan area · 9 metro areas compared
The median wage for Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors in Southwest Virginia, VA is $28,530 per year, substantially below the national median of $49,690 — a gap of 42.6%.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage for Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors in Southwest Virginia, VA is $28,530 per year, substantially below the national median of $49,690 — a gap of 42.6%. Pay ranges from under $26,850 at the tenth percentile to more than $49,020 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $27,660 to $43,010.
Employment stands at 270, or 2.4 jobs per thousand held locally. Richmond leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $49,150. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 319th of 327 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $26,850 | −46.0% |
| 25th | $27,660 | −44.3% |
| Median (50th) | $28,530 | −42.6% |
| 75th | $43,010 | −13.4% |
| 90th | $49,020 | −1.3% |
| Mean | $35,880 | −27.8% |
Other metro areas in Virginia
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Richmond | $49,150 | 730 | |
| 2 | Virginia Beach | $48,570 | 640 | |
| 3 | Lynchburg | $47,670 | 90 | |
| 4 | Staunton | $46,910 | 60 | |
| 5 | Winchester | $46,280 | 50 | |
| 6 | Harrisonburg | $45,850 | 130 | |
| 7 | Roanoke | $39,070 | 190 | |
| 8 | Charlottesville | $37,540 | 110 | |
| 9 | Blacksburg | $36,160 | 130 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Southwest Virginia sit close to the national average, so $28,530 is worth roughly its face value against pay elsewhere.
Published median
$28,530as reported by BLSLocal price level
101.1US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$28,220US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $28,530 a year, 42.6% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $26,850 to $49,020 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 270 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Richmond, at $49,150.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors in Southwest Virginia, VA?
The median annual wage is $28,530, or $13.71 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 Southwest Virginia, VA is 42.6% 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 Southwest Virginia, VA earns more than $49,020 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $26,850 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 Richmond, at $49,150 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 270 jobs in this occupation in Southwest Virginia, VA. 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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