Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors Salary in Seattle, WA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA

Median annual salary $77,300 +59.9% vs national
Median hourly $37.16
10th percentile $50,280
90th percentile $88,540
Employed locally 2,210
National median $48,350

Compare Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors salary & buying power

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

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Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors
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Seattle, WA
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $50,280
    25th
    $61,590
    50th (median)
    $77,300
    75th
    $79,520
    90th
    $88,540

    Seattle economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.30% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $112,594 2023 • Census ACS
    Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors salary vs area income 69% Median Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors salary is 31% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors

    Metro areaMedian salary
    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
    Washington $71,440

    Nearby metros — Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA $73,770
    Washington $71,440
    Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA $65,270
    New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ $63,670
    Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA $63,560
    Yakima, WA $63,300

    Related occupations in Seattle, WA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Stockers and Order Fillers$44,410
    Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand$47,660
    Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers$69,290
    Light Truck Drivers$48,210
    First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors$72,170
    Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators$52,450

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors in Seattle, WA is $37.16, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $43.35 or more per hour.

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

    The median Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors salary in Seattle, WA is 59.9% above 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 Seattle?

    Entry-level Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors (10th percentile) earn around $50,280 per year in Seattle, WA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $61,590.