SOC 53-7081 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors — Winston-Salem
Winston-Salem, NC · 10 metro areas compared
Median pay for this occupation in Winston-Salem, NC is $44,670 a year, trailing the national median of $49,690 by 10.1%.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
Median pay for this occupation in Winston-Salem, NC is $44,670 a year, trailing the national median of $49,690 by 10.1%. The middle half of workers in this occupation earn between $35,290 and $47,560. The lowest tenth earn under $22,060, while the highest tenth earn more than $58,220.
The area has 420 jobs in this occupation, which works out to 1.5 of every thousand jobs. Within the state, Charlotte records the highest median at $49,470. Of the 468 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 331st.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $22,060 | −55.6% |
| 25th | $35,290 | −29.0% |
| Median (50th) | $44,670 | −10.1% |
| 75th | $47,560 | −4.3% |
| 90th | $58,220 | +17.2% |
| Mean | $41,770 | −15.9% |
Other metro areas in North Carolina
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Charlotte | $49,470 | 1,840 | |
| 2 | Greenville | $47,830 | 80 | |
| 3 | Fayetteville | $47,220 | 180 | |
| 4 | Raleigh | $47,170 | 820 | |
| 5 | Durham | $46,160 | 230 | |
| 6 | Asheville | $45,520 | 220 | |
| 7 | Wilmington | $45,270 | 260 | |
| 8 | Greensboro | $43,160 | 440 | |
| 9 | Burlington | $41,030 | 100 | |
| 10 | Pinehurst | $37,160 | 70 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Winston-Salem run 5.7% below the national average, so the median of $44,670 goes as far as $47,370 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 4.7% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$44,670as reported by BLSLocal price level
94.3US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$47,370US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $44,670 a year, 10.1% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $22,060 to $58,220 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 420 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Charlotte, at $49,470.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors in Winston-Salem, NC?
The median annual wage is $44,670, or $21.48 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 Winston-Salem, NC is 10.1% 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 Winston-Salem, NC earns more than $58,220 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $22,060 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 Charlotte, at $49,470 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 420 jobs in this occupation in Winston-Salem, NC. 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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