SOC 53-7081 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors — Topeka
Topeka, KS · 1 metro areas compared
In Topeka, KS the median wage is $43,580.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
In Topeka, KS the median wage is $43,580. That is 12.3% lower than the national median of $49,690. The middle half of workers in this occupation earn between $27,250 and $45,760. The lowest tenth earn under $27,250, while the highest tenth earn more than $55,270.
Employment stands at 100, or 0.8 jobs per thousand held locally. Wichita leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $48,120. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 255th of 333 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $27,250 | −45.2% |
| 25th | $27,250 | −45.2% |
| Median (50th) | $43,580 | −12.3% |
| 75th | $45,760 | −7.9% |
| 90th | $55,270 | +11.2% |
| Mean | $40,140 | −19.2% |
Other metro areas in Kansas
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wichita | $48,120 | 120 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Topeka run 9.9% below the national average, so the median of $43,580 goes as far as $48,368 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 2.7% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$43,580as reported by BLSLocal price level
90.1US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$48,368US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $43,580 a year, 12.3% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $27,250 to $55,270 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 100 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Wichita, at $48,120.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors in Topeka, KS?
The median annual wage is $43,580, or $20.95 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 Topeka, KS is 12.3% 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 Topeka, KS earns more than $55,270 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $27,250 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 Wichita, at $48,120 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 100 jobs in this occupation in Topeka, KS. 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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