Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors Salary in Charlotte, NC-SC

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC

Median annual salary $49,000 +1.3% vs national
Median hourly $23.56
10th percentile $31,560
90th percentile $59,720
Employed locally 1,840
National median $48,350

Compare Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors salary & buying power

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Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors
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Charlotte, NC-SC
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $31,560
    25th
    $38,990
    50th (median)
    $49,000
    75th
    $51,110
    90th
    $59,720

    Charlotte economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.60% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $80,201 2023 • Census ACS
    Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors salary vs area income 61% Median Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors salary is 39% 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
    Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA $63,560
    Balance of Nevada nonmetropolitan area $61,830
    Muncie, IN $60,940
    Grand Junction, CO $53,680
    Trenton-Princeton, NJ $52,420

    Related occupations in Charlotte, NC-SC

    OccupationMedian salary
    Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand$36,720
    Stockers and Order Fillers$37,420
    Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers$51,930
    Light Truck Drivers$40,040
    Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators$44,100
    Packers and Packagers, Hand$34,830

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors in Charlotte, NC-SC is $23.56, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $31.31 or more per hour.

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

    The median Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors salary in Charlotte, NC-SC is 1.3% above 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 Charlotte?

    Entry-level Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors (10th percentile) earn around $31,560 per year in Charlotte, NC-SC. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $38,990.