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Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors Salary in Missouri: Cost of Living Adjusted (2025)

Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:

What does a Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors salary really buy you in Missouri?

Missouri is 8.9% cheaper than the US average

Data: BLS OEWS 2025 + BEA Regional Price Parities 2022 • Updated 2026-05-19

Nominal Salary
$50,010
Median annual (2025)
+9.8%
Real Purchasing Power
$54,895
COL-adjusted (RPP=91.1)

Missouri Cost of Living Index

Missouri's Regional Price Parity (RPP) is 91.1, meaning prices are 8.9% lower the national average. A Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors earning $50,010 in Missouri has the equivalent purchasing power of $54,895 in an average-cost US state.

MO: 91.1
Cheapest (~85) US Avg (100) Priciest (~115)

Salary Breakdown: Nominal vs. COL-Adjusted

Every dollar goes further in low-cost states. Here is how each salary percentile compares after adjusting for Missouri's cost of living.

Percentile Nominal Salary COL-Adjusted Difference
10th Percentile (P10) $31,760 $34,862 +$3,102
25th Percentile (P25) $36,420 $39,978 +$3,558
Median (P50) $50,010 $54,895 +$4,885
75th Percentile (P75) $61,360 $67,354 +$5,994
90th Percentile (P90) $71,270 $78,232 +$6,962
Key Insight

A Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors in Missouri earns $50,010 on paper, but low living costs mean your money goes 10% further — like earning $54,895 in an average-cost state. This makes Missouri one of the best value states for this occupation.

What the Cost-of-Living Data Says

Missouri Runs Well Below National Cost

RPP 91.1

Missouri's Regional Price Parity (RPP) of 91.1 means a basket of goods and services costs about 8.9% less than the national average. For a Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors, every dollar earned effectively buys more here than in a 100-RPP state.

Meaningful Purchasing-Power Shift

+9.8%

After applying Missouri's RPP, the $50,010 median salary translates to $54,896 in real terms — a 9.8% gain. That difference can cover several months of expenses over a year for a Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors.

Above-Median Adjusted Pay

#16 / 51

Missouri sits at #16 of 51 states for Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors COL-adjusted salary — comfortably above the national midpoint.

Best States for Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors (After Cost of Living)

Where does Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors salary stretch the furthest? Top 10 states ranked by COL-adjusted median salary.

$74,086
RPP 101.3
$67,959
RPP 109.8
$66,516
RPP 88.7
$64,799
RPP 92.3
5. Indiana
$64,161
RPP 91.8
$64,042
RPP 97.7
7. Nevada
$63,599
RPP 96.4
8. Utah
$62,761
RPP 94.5
$62,540
RPP 98.0
10. New York
$60,362
RPP 107.6

Missouri ranks #16 out of 51 states for Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors after cost-of-living adjustment.

How much do you actually take home? See Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors take-home pay in Missouri after taxes →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the real salary for a Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors in Missouri after cost of living?

A Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors in Missouri earns a median salary of $50,010 per year. After adjusting for Missouri's cost of living (RPP=91.1), the real purchasing power is $54,895 — a +9.8% difference.

Is Missouri expensive to live in?

Missouri's cost of living is 8.9% lower than the national average according to the BEA Regional Price Parities (2022). The RPP index for Missouri is 91.1 (US average = 100).

What are Regional Price Parities (RPP)?

Regional Price Parities (RPPs) are price indexes published by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) that measure differences in price levels across states. They are expressed as a percentage of the national average (US = 100). Higher RPP means higher cost of living.

How is the cost-of-living adjusted salary calculated?

The adjusted salary is calculated as: Nominal Salary x (100 / RPP). For a Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors in Missouri: $50,010 x (100 / 91.1) = $54,895. This represents what the salary would be worth in a state with average living costs.

Is it better to be a Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors in Missouri financially?

From a purchasing power perspective, yes. A Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors in Missouri enjoys 9.8% more buying power than the nominal salary suggests, because living costs are below the national average. However, other factors like job availability, career growth, and quality of life also matter.

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