Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors Salary in Reading, PA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Reading, PA

Median annual salary $39,680 -17.9% vs national
Median hourly $19.08
10th percentile $24,400
90th percentile $62,010
Employed locally 170
National median $48,350

Compare Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors salary & buying power

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Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors
in
Reading, PA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $24,400
    25th
    $36,480
    50th (median)
    $39,680
    75th
    $51,920
    90th
    $62,010

    Reading economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.70% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $77,684 2023 • Census ACS
    Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors salary vs area income 51% Median Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors salary is 49% 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
    Napa, CA $70,690
    Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI $64,880
    San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA $63,410
    Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA $56,860
    Chambersburg, PA $50,410
    Paducah, KY-IL $48,460

    Related occupations in Reading, PA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand $41,800
    Stockers and Order Fillers $37,460
    Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers $58,130
    Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators $49,310
    Light Truck Drivers $42,250
    Packers and Packagers, Hand $37,410

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors in Reading, PA is $19.08, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $29.64 or more per hour.

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

    The median Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors salary in Reading, PA is 17.9% 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 Reading?

    Entry-level Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors (10th percentile) earn around $24,400 per year in Reading, PA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $36,480.