How much money do garbage collectors make?

Garbage collectors earn an average annual salary of $35,280, according to an occupational employment and wage study completed by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Services in May 2013. The survey included workers employed by both private businesses and government organizations.

The BLS survey covers all kinds of refuse and recyclable materials collectors, including both residential garbage collectors and commercial refuse collectors. Wages vary widely depending on the geographic location, work duties and experience of the employee. The top 10 percent of earners in the field make a minimum of $58,130 per year, while the bottom 10 percent make no more than $18,910 per year.