How much does a refuse and recyclable material collector make in Chicago?
Median yearly pay for refuse and recyclable material collectors in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area. That is $37.25 an hour or $6,456 a month.
- Hourly
- $37.25
- Vs. national median
- +56%
- Rank among cities
- 3 of 313
- Jobs in the area
- 3,330
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $39,780 | $19.13 | |
| 25th | $62,280 | $29.94 | |
| Median | $77,470 | $37.25 | |
| 75th | $86,460 | $41.57 | |
| 90th | $89,090 | $42.83 |
Other cities in Illinois
Median yearly pay for refuse and recyclable material collectors.
| Davenport, IA | $75,440 |
| St. Louis, MO | $60,750 |
| Springfield, IL | $60,570 |
| Peoria, IL | $59,070 |
Related jobs in Chicago
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Airline Pilot | $293,500 |
| Air Traffic Controller | $189,800 |
| Commercial Pilot | $157,400 |
| Hoist and Winch Operator | $118,200 |
| Railroad Conductor and Yardmaster | $96,120 |
| Ship Engineer | $77,770 |
| Captain | $76,530 |
| Bridge and Lock Tender | $73,110 |
| Railroad Brake | $72,180 |
| Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisor | $70,780 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a refuse and recyclable material collector make an hour in Chicago?
The median hourly pay in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $37.25 ($77,470 a year).
Do refuse and recyclable material collectors make more in Chicago than the national average?
Yes: $77,470 against $49,690 nationally, 56% more.
How does Chicago compare with the rest of Illinois?
The median in Illinois is $75,050, so Chicago pays 3% more.
Where does Chicago rank for refuse and recyclable material collector pay?
3 of 313 metro areas with data.
How much does a refuse and recyclable material collector make starting out in Chicago?
The lowest-paid 10% make $39,780 or less a year; the top 10% make $89,090 or more.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS): pay in May 2025, published by BLS in 2026. Hourly pay is the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours.