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Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors Salary in Chicago, IL

In the 2025 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS dataset, Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors in Chicago, IL have a median annual salary of $77,470, with 3,330 recorded jobs in this area. Recorded earnings range from $39,780 at the 10th percentile to $89,090 at the 90th percentile.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS · Data year: 2025 · Last updated: 2026-09-22

Salary overview

Median annual salary

$77,470

Data year: 2025

Hourly median

$37.24

Employment

3,330

Source

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS

Salary distribution

$39,780
10th
$62,280
25th
$77,470
Median
$86,460
75th
$89,090
90th

Local compared with national

Chicago, IL

$77,470

Median annual · 2025

United States

$49,690

Median annual · 2025

The Chicago, IL median is 55.9% above the national median in the available dataset (a difference of $27,780).

Top skills

  1. 1.Operations MonitoringImportance 3.0
  2. 2.Operation and ControlImportance 3.0
  3. 3.Active ListeningImportance 2.9
  4. 4.SpeakingImportance 2.9
  5. 5.Critical ThinkingImportance 2.8
  6. 6.Equipment MaintenanceImportance 2.8
  7. 7.Reading ComprehensionImportance 2.6
  8. 8.CoordinationImportance 2.6
  9. 9.WritingImportance 2.5
  10. 10.MonitoringImportance 2.5
  11. 11.Social PerceptivenessImportance 2.5
  12. 12.TroubleshootingImportance 2.5

Career information

Education and experience

Typical education
High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)
Experience
Over 1 year, up to and including 2 years
Job zone
2

Technology used

  • AMCS Platform
  • Computerized maintenance management system CMMS
  • Dossier software
  • Fleet management software
  • Global positioning system GPS software
  • Mileage logging software
  • Payroll software
  • Routeware software
  • Squeegee
  • WAM software

Common tasks

  • Inspect trucks prior to beginning routes to ensure safe operating condition.
  • Drive trucks, following established routes, through residential streets or alleys or through business or industrial areas.
  • Refuel trucks or add other fluids, such as oil or brake fluid.
  • Dump refuse or recyclable materials at disposal sites.
  • Fill out defective equipment reports.
  • Operate automated or semi-automated hoisting devices that raise refuse bins and dump contents into openings in truck bodies.
  • Dismount garbage trucks to collect garbage and remount trucks to ride to the next collection point.
  • Operate equipment that compresses collected refuse.
  • Communicate with dispatchers concerning delays, unsafe sites, accidents, equipment breakdowns, or other maintenance problems.
  • Check road or weather conditions to determine how routes will be affected.

Related careers

Occupations recorded as related in the dataset. A relationship does not imply a guaranteed transition.

Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors salary in other locations

Other occupations in Chicago, IL