Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors Salary in Wilmington, NC

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Wilmington, NC

Median annual salary $45,890 -5.1% vs national
Median hourly $22.06
10th percentile $26,850
90th percentile $53,120
Employed locally 200
National median $48,350

Compare Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors salary & buying power

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Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors
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Wilmington, NC
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $26,850
    25th
    $27,120
    50th (median)
    $45,890
    75th
    $48,850
    90th
    $53,120

    Wilmington economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.50% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $73,687 2023 • Census ACS
    Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors salary vs area income 62% Median Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors salary is 38% 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 Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $72,380
    Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA $63,560
    Balance of Nevada nonmetropolitan area $61,830
    Muncie, IN $60,940
    Grand Junction, CO $53,680
    Trenton-Princeton, NJ $52,420

    Related occupations in Wilmington, NC

    OccupationMedian salary
    Stockers and Order Fillers$34,670
    Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand$36,260
    Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers$48,430
    Light Truck Drivers$37,390
    First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors$59,160
    Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment$30,820

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors in Wilmington, NC is $22.06, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $26.02 or more per hour.

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

    The median Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors salary in Wilmington, NC is 5.1% 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 Wilmington?

    Entry-level Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors (10th percentile) earn around $26,850 per year in Wilmington, NC. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $27,120.