Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors Salary in Knoxville, TN

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Knoxville, TN

Median annual salary $38,220 -21% vs national
Median hourly $18.37
10th percentile $21,460
90th percentile $60,120
Employed locally 280
National median $48,350

Compare Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors salary & buying power

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Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors
in
Knoxville, TN
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $21,460
    25th
    $31,690
    50th (median)
    $38,220
    75th
    $49,570
    90th
    $60,120

    Knoxville economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.20% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $69,734 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
    Clarksville, TN-KY $49,670
    Jackson, TN $49,150
    Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN $46,690
    Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA $41,470
    Memphis, TN-MS-AR $38,650
    Morristown, TN $37,000

    Related occupations in Knoxville, TN

    OccupationMedian salary
    Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand $37,210
    Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers $56,630
    Stockers and Order Fillers $33,910
    Light Truck Drivers $40,690
    First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors $60,990
    Packers and Packagers, Hand $31,850

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors in Knoxville, TN is $18.37, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $28.94 or more per hour.

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

    The median Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors salary in Knoxville, TN is 21% 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 Knoxville?

    Entry-level Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors (10th percentile) earn around $21,460 per year in Knoxville, TN. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $31,690.