SOC 53-7081 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors — Wisconsin
Wisconsin · 7 metro areas compared
The median wage for Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors in Wisconsin is $59,810 per year, 20.4% above the national median of $49,690.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage for Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors in Wisconsin is $59,810 per year, 20.4% above the national median of $49,690. Half of workers earn between $48,440 and $63,430. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $33,360 and the ninetieth at $64,200.
Employment stands at 1,550, or 0.5 jobs per thousand held locally. Wisconsin ranks number 10th out of 51 states by median pay for this occupation. Within the state, Milwaukee records the highest median at $63,640. Of the 728 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 372nd.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $33,360 | −32.9% |
| 25th | $48,440 | −2.5% |
| Median (50th) | $59,810 | +20.4% |
| 75th | $63,430 | +27.7% |
| 90th | $64,200 | +29.2% |
| Mean | $55,090 | +10.9% |
Highest-paying metro areas in Wisconsin
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Milwaukee | $63,640 | 410 | |
| 2 | Janesville | $61,680 | 90 | |
| 3 | Kenosha | $60,400 | 50 | |
| 4 | Madison | $59,810 | 60 | |
| 5 | Eau Claire | $58,880 | 70 | |
| 6 | La Crosse | $50,030 | 40 | |
| 7 | Green Bay | $48,000 | 40 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Wisconsin run 5.9% below the national average, so the median of $59,810 goes as far as $63,560 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 27.9% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$59,810as reported by BLSLocal price level
94.1US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$63,560US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $59,810 a year, 20.4% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $33,360 to $64,200 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 1,550 jobs in this occupation.
- It ranks 10th of 51 states for this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Milwaukee, at $63,640.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors in Wisconsin?
The median annual wage is $59,810, or $28.76 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 Wisconsin is 20.4% higher. 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 Wisconsin earns more than $64,200 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $33,360 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 Milwaukee, at $63,640 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 1,550 jobs in this occupation in Wisconsin. 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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