SOC 53-7081 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors — West Tennessee
West Tennessee nonmetropolitan area · 10 metro areas compared
Median pay in West Tennessee, TN is $36,910 a year, 25.7% 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 West Tennessee, TN is $36,910 a year, 25.7% under the national median of $49,690 for this occupation. The middle half of workers in this occupation earn between $35,410 and $44,320. The lowest tenth earn under $31,200, while the highest tenth earn more than $48,130.
The area has 130 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 1.16 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Within the state, Nashville records the highest median at $57,650. Of the 324 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 247th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $31,200 | −37.2% |
| 25th | $35,410 | −28.7% |
| Median (50th) | $36,910 | −25.7% |
| 75th | $44,320 | −10.8% |
| 90th | $48,130 | −3.1% |
| Mean | $39,240 | −21.0% |
Other metro areas in Tennessee
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nashville | $57,650 | 520 | |
| 2 | Knoxville | $51,030 | 350 | |
| 3 | Jackson | $50,050 | 100 | |
| 4 | Clarksville | $49,670 | 70 | |
| 5 | Memphis | $44,470 | 890 | |
| 6 | Kingsport | $44,450 | 90 | |
| 7 | Morristown | $38,020 | 100 | |
| 8 | Cleveland | $37,540 | 40 | |
| 9 | Chattanooga | $36,090 | 80 | |
| 10 | Johnson City | $28,880 | 60 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in West Tennessee run 8.1% below the national average, so the median of $36,910 goes as far as $40,163 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 19.2% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$36,910as reported by BLSLocal price level
91.9US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$40,163US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $36,910 a year, 25.7% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $31,200 to $48,130 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 130 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Nashville, at $57,650.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors in West Tennessee, TN?
The median annual wage is $36,910, or $17.75 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 West Tennessee, TN is 25.7% 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 West Tennessee, TN earns more than $48,130 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $31,200 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 Nashville, at $57,650 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 130 jobs in this occupation in West Tennessee, TN. 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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