Garbage collector salary

Garbage Collector Salary in the United States

The average annual salary for a garbage collector in the U.S. is approximately $14,630, which is 77% below the national average as of 2023. The wages typically range from $9,607 to $22,279 per year, depending on experience and seniority.

Garbage Collector Earnings by Seniority:

  • 90th percentile (Top-level):
    • Hourly wage: $10.71
    • Annual salary: $22,279
  • 75th percentile (Senior-level):
    • Hourly wage: $8.78
    • Annual salary: $18,255
  • 50th percentile (Mid-level):
    • Hourly wage: $7.03
    • Annual salary: $14,630
  • 25th percentile (Junior-level):
    • Hourly wage: $5.64
    • Annual salary: $11,725
  • 10th percentile (Entry-level):
    • Hourly wage: $4.62
    • Annual salary: $9,607

These figures represent approximate values based on the highest and lowest earning segments.

Garbage collector salary by state

State NameAverage Salary
New York$76,450
California$59,380
Washington$58,870
Oregon$50,870
District of Columbia$48,880
Hawaii$48,090
Alaska$47,880
Michigan$47,590
Nevada$47,220
Wisconsin$47,150
Connecticut$47,130
Colorado$46,910
Utah$46,730
Minnesota$46,600
New Jersey$46,380
North Dakota$45,980
Montana$45,970
Delaware$45,590
Illinois$45,430
Massachusetts$41,090
Florida$38,980
Indiana$38,810
Ohio$38,730
Wyoming$38,710
Iowa$38,610
Idaho$38,340
Arizona$37,560
Vermont$37,410
Oklahoma$37,200
Nebraska$36,570
New Hampshire$36,550
Maine$36,420
New Mexico$36,330
Kansas$36,060
Mississippi$36,060
Rhode Island$35,570
Kentucky$35,020
Georgia$34,540
Missouri$34,140
Texas$33,780
Pennsylvania$33,210
North Carolina$31,210
Alabama$30,240
South Dakota$30,080
Maryland$29,930
Arkansas$29,680
Virginia$29,450
Louisiana$29,180
South Carolina$28,860
Tennessee$28,460
West Virginia$28,460
Guam$26,170
Puerto Rico$18,140

How Garbage Collector Salaries Compare to Similar Careers

Garbage collectors in the United States earn 28% more than workers in similar careers. Here’s a comparison with other occupations:

  • Printing workers typically earn more than garbage collectors.
  • Sewing machine operators generally earn less than garbage collectors.

While garbage collectors’ earnings fall between these two professions, they still make above-average wages when compared to similar manual labor or production-based jobs.

CareerMedian Salary
Printing worker salary$18K
Barista salary$18K
Professional painter salary$17K
Florist salary$16K
Delivery service driver salary$15K
Garbage collector salary$15K
Amusement attendant salary$6K
Food server salary$5K
Housekeeper salary$4K
Sewing machine operator salary$3K

Information provided by CareerOnlines, LLC and other sources.
Sections of this page includes information from the O*NET 29.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
CareerOnlines, LLC has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.