Salaries › Garbage Collector › Virginia
Garbage Collector Salary in Virginia (2026)
$22.37 per hour · take-home ≈ $37,652/year ($3,138/month) for a single filer
Virginia ranks 34th of 51 states for Garbage Collector pay, with a median about 12% below the national average. Of the 4,330 Garbage Collector jobs BLS counts in Virginia, the typical worker earns $46,530 a year — though pay ranges from $28,120 for newcomers to $61,040 at the top.
Garbage Collector pay range in Virginia
| Percentile | Annual wage | Meaning |
| 10th percentile (entry) | $28,120 | Lowest-paid 10% earn less than this |
| 25th percentile | $34,230 | A quarter earn less |
| Median (50th) | $46,530 | Half earn more, half earn less |
| 75th percentile | $57,430 | Top quarter starts here |
| 90th percentile (top) | $61,040 | Highest-paid 10% earn more than this |
BLS reports 4,330 Garbage Collector jobs in Virginia (occupation code 53-7081, “Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors”).
Gross vs. take-home in Virginia
A median Garbage Collector salary of $46,530 doesn’t all reach your bank account. After federal income tax, Social Security, and Medicare, plus Virginia state income tax, a single filer keeps about $37,652 — an effective tax rate of 19.1%.
| Gross (median) | $46,530 |
| Federal income tax | −$3,404 |
| Social Security + Medicare | −$3,560 |
| Virginia state income tax | −$1,915 |
| Take-home (annual) | $37,652 |
| Take-home (monthly) | $3,138 |
Want your exact numbers — married, 401(k), different salary? Use the free Virginia paycheck calculator on PaycheckTally.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a Garbage Collector make in Virginia?
- The median Garbage Collector salary in Virginia is $46,530 per year ($22.37 per hour) according to the latest BLS data. The middle 50% earn between $34,230 and $57,430.
- What is the take-home pay for a Garbage Collector in Virginia?
- On the median salary of $46,530, a single filer in Virginia takes home about $37,652 per year ($3,138 per month) after federal tax, FICA, and state income tax — an effective tax rate of 19.1%.
- How many Garbage Collector jobs are there in Virginia?
- BLS counts 4,330 Garbage Collector jobs in Virginia in the latest survey (May 2025).
Top-paying states for Garbage Collectors
Other salaries in Virginia
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 Virginia 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 Virginia.