Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors Salary in Waterloo, IA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA

Median annual salary $51,010 +5.5% vs national
Median hourly $24.52
10th percentile $38,060
90th percentile $65,820
Employed locally 160
National median $48,350

Compare Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors salary & buying power

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

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Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors
in
Waterloo, IA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $38,060
    25th
    $44,420
    50th (median)
    $51,010
    75th
    $59,440
    90th
    $65,820

    Waterloo economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.50% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $68,916 2023 • Census ACS
    Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors salary vs area income 74% Median Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors salary is 26% 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
    Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL $74,240
    Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO $61,860
    Peoria, IL $61,710
    California $61,650
    Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA $61,350
    Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA $60,930

    Related occupations in Waterloo, IA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand $43,380
    Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers $52,830
    Stockers and Order Fillers $37,320
    Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators $46,770
    Light Truck Drivers $40,110
    First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors $56,820

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors in Waterloo, IA is $24.52, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $31.12 or more per hour.

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

    The median Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors salary in Waterloo, IA is 5.5% 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 Waterloo?

    Entry-level Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors (10th percentile) earn around $38,060 per year in Waterloo, IA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $44,420.