Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors Salary in Houston, TX

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX

Median annual salary $45,480 -5.9% vs national
Median hourly $21.87
10th percentile $32,870
90th percentile $55,380
Employed locally 2,420
National median $48,350

Compare Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors salary & buying power

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

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Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors
in
Houston, TX
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $32,870
    25th
    $38,340
    50th (median)
    $45,480
    75th
    $50,490
    90th
    $55,380

    Houston economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.40% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $80,458 2023 • Census ACS
    Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors salary vs area income 57% Median Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors salary is 43% 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
    Midland, TX $54,020
    Waco, TX $49,160
    San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX $48,690
    Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX $48,650
    Corpus Christi, TX $47,620
    Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX $47,050

    Related occupations in Houston, TX

    OccupationMedian salary
    Stockers and Order Fillers $36,200
    Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand $37,600
    Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers $55,500
    Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators $46,240
    Light Truck Drivers $43,690
    First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors $59,890

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors in Houston, TX is $21.87, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $28.02 or more per hour.

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

    The median Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors salary in Houston, TX is 5.9% 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 Houston?

    Entry-level Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors (10th percentile) earn around $32,870 per year in Houston, TX. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $38,340.