Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors pay range in Louisville
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $34,710 a year or less, while the top 10% make $61,470 or more. The middle half of refuse and recyclable material collectors in Louisville earn between $47,350 and $59,770.
- $35K10th
- $47K25th
- $51KMedian
- $60K75th
- $61K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $51,200 | $4,267 | $24.62 |
| Median | $51,080 | $4,257 | $24.56 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $47,350 | $3,946 | $22.76 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $59,770 | $4,981 | $28.74 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors pay in Louisville vs. Kentucky and the U.S.
Refuse and recyclable material collectors in Louisville earn 20% more than the Kentucky average ($42,710) and 3% less than the U.S. average ($52,820). At the median the gap is +3% against the U.S. median of $49,690.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Louisville | $51,200 | $51,080 | $34,710 | $61,470 | 500 |
| Kentucky | $42,710 | $43,100 | $29,610 | $56,170 | 1,580 |
| United States | $52,820 | $49,690 | $33,590 | $75,900 | 147,240 |
State and U.S. rows: BLS statewide and national estimates, May 2025, which include rural areas.
Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors salary after taxes in Louisville
On the average salary of $51,200, a single filer in Louisville takes home about $40,518 a year, or $3,377 a month and $1,558 every two weeks. Taxes take 21% of gross pay.
The Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN metro area crosses state lines, so take-home pay depends on the state where you work:
| State | Per year | Per month |
|---|---|---|
| Working in IN | $41,813 | $3,484 |
| Working in KY | $40,518 | $3,377 |
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules). Includes Louisville's local income tax (2.2%).
Is Louisville a good place for refuse and recyclable material collectors? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the Louisville area are 7% below the U.S. average (BEA price parity 93.1), so the average $51,200 buys what about $55,010 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 1.1 times the median wage of all jobs in Louisville ($48,370). A typical home costs $283,232, or 5.5 years of this average salary before tax.
Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors salary in other Kentucky cities
Louisville ranks 1st of 5 Kentucky metro areas for this job, the best-paid in the state.
- Louisville$51,200
- Paducah$48,130
- Lexington$44,360
- Elizabethtown$43,670
- Bowling Green$41,080
All Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors salaries in Kentucky
Highest-paying cities for refuse and recyclable material collectors
San Jose, CA pays this job the most of the metro areas we cover ($88,030).
- San Jose, CA$88,030
- Seattle, WA$76,420
- San Francisco, CA$76,010
- Chicago, IL$71,570
- Santa Rosa, CA$70,560
Does this match what you are paid?
Anonymous, no account. Results update as visitors answer.
Share your pay anonymously
Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors salary in Louisville: questions
How much do refuse and recyclable material collectors make an hour in Louisville?
$24.62 an hour on average, and $24.56 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level refuse and recyclable material collectors salary in Louisville?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $34,710 a year and the 25th percentile is $47,350, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the refuse and recyclable material collectors take-home pay in Louisville?
About $40,518 a year ($3,377 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $51,200. Includes Louisville's local income tax (2.2%).
Do refuse and recyclable material collectors earn more in Louisville than elsewhere?
The average here is 3% less than the U.S. average for this job ($52,820).
Sources and how to read this page
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. SOC code 53-7081; area Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN (31140). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 1.6%.
- U.S. and statewide figures: BLS OEWS national and state estimates, May 2025, every employer including rural areas.
- Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
- Home value: Zillow Home Value Index. Typical-wage figure: OEWS all occupations, same metro.
- Take-home pay: Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules). Includes Louisville's local income tax (2.2%).
- Job concentration: location quotient 0.76, this job is less common than in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.76).
Read the full methodology. Spotted an error? Tell us.