Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors Salary in Portland, ME

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Portland-South Portland, ME

Median annual salary $46,540 -3.7% vs national
Median hourly $22.37
10th percentile $34,130
90th percentile $53,830
Employed locally 230
National median $48,350

Compare Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors salary & buying power

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

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Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors
in
Portland, ME
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $34,130
    25th
    $40,260
    50th (median)
    $46,540
    75th
    $48,950
    90th
    $53,830

    Portland economic context

    Unemployment rate 2.70% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $88,602 2023 • Census ACS
    Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors salary vs area income 53% Median Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors salary is 47% 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
    Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA $73,770
    Merced, CA $66,690
    Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA $62,710
    Balance of Nevada nonmetropolitan area $61,830
    South Central Wisconsin nonmetropolitan area $60,790
    Southwest Minnesota nonmetropolitan area $60,590

    Related occupations in Portland, ME

    OccupationMedian salary
    Stockers and Order Fillers $38,480
    Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers $57,730
    Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand $44,660
    Light Truck Drivers $44,640
    Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators $49,020
    First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors $61,970

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors in Portland, ME is $22.37, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $32.18 or more per hour.

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

    The median Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors salary in Portland, ME is 3.7% 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 Portland?

    Entry-level Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors (10th percentile) earn around $34,130 per year in Portland, ME. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $40,260.