Salaries › Garbage Collector › North Carolina
Garbage Collector Salary in North Carolina (2026)
$21.48 per hour · take-home ≈ $36,799/year ($3,067/month) for a single filer
North Carolina ranks 39th of 51 states for Garbage Collector pay, with a median about 15% below the national average. Of the 7,250 Garbage Collector jobs BLS counts in North Carolina, the typical worker earns $44,670 a year — though pay ranges from $25,140 for newcomers to $58,570 at the top.
Garbage Collector pay range in North Carolina
| Percentile | Annual wage | Meaning |
| 10th percentile (entry) | $25,140 | Lowest-paid 10% earn less than this |
| 25th percentile | $34,650 | A quarter earn less |
| Median (50th) | $44,670 | Half earn more, half earn less |
| 75th percentile | $49,030 | Top quarter starts here |
| 90th percentile (top) | $58,570 | Highest-paid 10% earn more than this |
BLS reports 7,250 Garbage Collector jobs in North Carolina (occupation code 53-7081, “Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors”).
Gross vs. take-home in North Carolina
A median Garbage Collector salary of $44,670 doesn’t all reach your bank account. After federal income tax, Social Security, and Medicare, plus North Carolina state income tax, a single filer keeps about $36,799 — an effective tax rate of 17.6%.
| Gross (median) | $44,670 |
| Federal income tax | −$3,180 |
| Social Security + Medicare | −$3,417 |
| North Carolina state income tax | −$1,274 |
| Take-home (annual) | $36,799 |
| Take-home (monthly) | $3,067 |
Want your exact numbers — married, 401(k), different salary? Use the free North Carolina paycheck calculator on PaycheckTally.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a Garbage Collector make in North Carolina?
- The median Garbage Collector salary in North Carolina is $44,670 per year ($21.48 per hour) according to the latest BLS data. The middle 50% earn between $34,650 and $49,030.
- What is the take-home pay for a Garbage Collector in North Carolina?
- On the median salary of $44,670, a single filer in North Carolina takes home about $36,799 per year ($3,067 per month) after federal tax, FICA, and state income tax — an effective tax rate of 17.6%.
- How many Garbage Collector jobs are there in North Carolina?
- BLS counts 7,250 Garbage Collector jobs in North Carolina in the latest survey (May 2025).
Top-paying states for Garbage Collectors
Other salaries in North Carolina
Sources and methodology
Wage and employment figures: BLS OEWS May 2025 (state file, released April 2026) — the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey, the most authoritative public salary dataset. Take-home estimate: 2026 federal brackets, FICA, and verified North Carolina state tax rules (single filer, standard deduction, no credits or local taxes). Estimates only — not financial advice.
- BLS OEWS — official occupational wage data.
- PaycheckTally — interactive 2026 take-home calculator for North Carolina.