Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors Salary in Charleston, SC

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Charleston-North Charleston, SC

Median annual salary $44,950 -7% vs national
Median hourly $21.61
10th percentile $29,590
90th percentile $58,990
Employed locally 320
National median $48,350

Compare Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors salary & buying power

Type a city below to see how Charleston, SC stacks up on salary and cost of living.

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Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors
in
Charleston, SC
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $29,590
    25th
    $36,360
    50th (median)
    $44,950
    75th
    $49,270
    90th
    $58,990

    Charleston economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.50% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $82,272 2023 • Census ACS
    Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors salary vs area income 55% Median Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors salary is 45% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $77,300
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $76,760
    Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL $74,240
    Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA $73,770
    Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA $73,110
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $72,380

    Nearby metros — Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $72,380
    South Central Wisconsin nonmetropolitan area $60,790
    Wisconsin $60,390
    Northeastern Wisconsin nonmetropolitan area $57,420
    Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY $50,360
    Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC $49,000

    Related occupations in Charleston, SC

    OccupationMedian salary
    Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand$37,200
    Stockers and Order Fillers$35,760
    Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers$55,530
    Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators$46,060
    Light Truck Drivers$40,740
    First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors$60,540

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors make per hour in Charleston?

    The median hourly wage for Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors in Charleston, SC is $21.61, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $28.88 or more per hour.

    Is Charleston above or below average for Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors salaries?

    The median Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors salary in Charleston, SC is 7% below the national median of $48,350. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors in Charleston?

    Entry-level Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors (10th percentile) earn around $29,590 per year in Charleston, SC. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $36,360.