Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors Salary in New Orleans, LA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • New Orleans-Metairie, LA

Median annual salary $37,000 -23.5% vs national
Median hourly $17.79
10th percentile $26,910
90th percentile $50,890
Employed locally 630
National median $48,350

Compare Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors salary & buying power

Type a city below to see how New Orleans, LA stacks up on salary and cost of living.

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Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors
in
New Orleans, LA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $26,910
    25th
    $35,290
    50th (median)
    $37,000
    75th
    $49,080
    90th
    $50,890

    New Orleans economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.40% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $62,271 2023 • Census ACS
    Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors salary vs area income 59% Median Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors salary is 41% 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 Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $76,760
    Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL $74,240
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $72,380
    San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA $64,050
    Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA $63,560
    Kennewick-Richland, WA $62,930

    Related occupations in New Orleans, LA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand $35,250
    Stockers and Order Fillers $33,850
    Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers $52,000
    Light Truck Drivers $40,570
    Sailors and Marine Oilers $39,130
    First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors $63,320

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors in New Orleans, LA is $17.79, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $28.37 or more per hour.

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

    The median Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors salary in New Orleans, LA is 23.5% 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 New Orleans?

    Entry-level Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors (10th percentile) earn around $26,910 per year in New Orleans, LA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $35,290.