Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors Salary in Hickory, NC

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC

Median annual salary $33,010 -31.7% vs national
Median hourly $15.87
10th percentile $20,800
90th percentile $46,130
Employed locally 180
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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Hickory, NC
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $20,800
    25th
    $23,890
    50th (median)
    $33,010
    75th
    $41,140
    90th
    $46,130

    Hickory economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.60% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $60,255 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
    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 Hickory, NC

    OccupationMedian salary
    Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand $36,420
    Stockers and Order Fillers $37,440
    Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers $52,280
    Light Truck Drivers $37,070
    Packers and Packagers, Hand $35,680
    Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators $44,630

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors in Hickory, NC is $15.87, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $23.35 or more per hour.

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

    The median Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors salary in Hickory, NC is 31.7% 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 Hickory?

    Entry-level Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors (10th percentile) earn around $20,800 per year in Hickory, NC. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $23,890.