Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors pay range in Paducah
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $32,970 a year or less, while the top 10% make $53,540 or more. The middle half of refuse and recyclable material collectors in Paducah earn between $45,140 and $49,280.
- $33K10th
- $45K25th
- $48KMedian
- $49K75th
- $54K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $48,130 | $4,011 | $23.14 |
| Median | $48,460 | $4,038 | $23.30 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $45,140 | $3,762 | $21.70 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $49,280 | $4,107 | $23.69 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors pay in Paducah vs. Kentucky and the U.S.
Refuse and recyclable material collectors in Paducah earn 13% more than the Kentucky average ($42,710) and 9% less than the U.S. average ($52,820). At the median the gap is -2% against the U.S. median of $49,690.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paducah | $48,130 | $48,460 | $32,970 | $53,540 | 40 |
| 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 Paducah
On the average salary of $48,130, a single filer in Paducah takes home about $38,323 a year, or $3,194 a month and $1,474 every two weeks. Taxes take 20% of gross pay.
The Paducah, KY-IL metro area crosses state lines, so take-home pay depends on the state where you work:
| State | Per year | Per month |
|---|---|---|
| Working in IL | $38,611 | $3,218 |
| Working in KY | $38,323 | $3,194 |
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules). Includes Paducah's local income tax (2%).
Is Paducah a good place for refuse and recyclable material collectors? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the Paducah area are 14% below the U.S. average (BEA price parity 86.1), so the average $48,130 buys what about $55,911 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 1.1 times the median wage of all jobs in Paducah ($45,860). A typical home costs $171,436, or 3.6 years of this average salary before tax.
Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors salary in other Kentucky cities
Paducah ranks 2nd of 5 Kentucky metro areas for this job; Louisville pays the most ($51,200).
- 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
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Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors salary in Paducah: questions
How much do refuse and recyclable material collectors make an hour in Paducah?
$23.14 an hour on average, and $23.30 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level refuse and recyclable material collectors salary in Paducah?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $32,970 a year and the 25th percentile is $45,140, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the refuse and recyclable material collectors take-home pay in Paducah?
About $38,323 a year ($3,194 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $48,130. Includes Paducah's local income tax (2%).
Do refuse and recyclable material collectors earn more in Paducah than elsewhere?
The average here is 9% 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 Paducah, KY-IL (37140). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 1.5%.
- 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 Paducah's local income tax (2%).
- Job concentration: location quotient 0.75, this job is less common than in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.75).
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