How much does a refuse and recyclable material collector make in Des Moines?
Median yearly pay for refuse and recyclable material collectors in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area. That is $27.40 an hour or $4,749 a month.
- Hourly
- $27.40
- Vs. national median
- +15%
- Rank among cities
- 77 of 313
- Jobs in the area
- 440
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $40,720 | $19.58 | |
| 25th | $47,650 | $22.91 | |
| Median | $56,990 | $27.40 | |
| 75th | $58,050 | $27.91 | |
| 90th | $74,080 | $35.62 |
Other cities in Iowa
Median yearly pay for refuse and recyclable material collectors.
| Davenport, IA | $75,440 |
| Iowa City, IA | $56,810 |
| Omaha, NE | $51,530 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $50,820 |
| Waterloo, IA | $50,770 |
| Sioux City, IA | $47,830 |
| Ames, IA | $47,810 |
Related jobs in Des Moines
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Airline Pilot | $161,000 |
| Commercial Pilot | $121,500 |
| Crane and Tower Operator | $75,760 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Worker | $61,340 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Driver | $60,720 |
| Bus Driver | $58,930 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operator | $49,080 |
| Laborer and Freight | $46,370 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $46,330 |
| Bus Driver | $46,210 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a refuse and recyclable material collector make an hour in Des Moines?
The median hourly pay in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area is $27.40 ($56,990 a year).
Do refuse and recyclable material collectors make more in Des Moines than the national average?
Yes: $56,990 against $49,690 nationally, 15% more.
How does Des Moines compare with the rest of Iowa?
The median in Iowa is $49,850, so Des Moines pays 14% more.
Where does Des Moines rank for refuse and recyclable material collector pay?
77 of 313 metro areas with data.
How much does a refuse and recyclable material collector make starting out in Des Moines?
The lowest-paid 10% make $40,720 or less a year; the top 10% make $74,080 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.