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Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors Salary in Nebraska: 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 Nebraska?

Nebraska is 10.2% cheaper than the US average

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

Nominal Salary
$49,390
Median annual (2025)
+11.4%
Real Purchasing Power
$55,000
COL-adjusted (RPP=89.8)

Nebraska Cost of Living Index

Nebraska's Regional Price Parity (RPP) is 89.8, meaning prices are 10.2% lower the national average. A Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors earning $49,390 in Nebraska has the equivalent purchasing power of $55,000 in an average-cost US state.

NE: 89.8
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 Nebraska's cost of living.

Percentile Nominal Salary COL-Adjusted Difference
10th Percentile (P10) $37,210 $41,436 +$4,226
25th Percentile (P25) $39,450 $43,930 +$4,480
Median (P50) $49,390 $55,000 +$5,610
75th Percentile (P75) $54,140 $60,289 +$6,149
90th Percentile (P90) $59,400 $66,146 +$6,746
Key Insight

A Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors in Nebraska earns $49,390 on paper, but low living costs mean your money goes 11% further — like earning $55,000 in an average-cost state. This makes Nebraska one of the best value states for this occupation.

What the Cost-of-Living Data Says

Nebraska Runs Well Below National Cost

RPP 89.8

Nebraska's Regional Price Parity (RPP) of 89.8 means a basket of goods and services costs about 10.2% 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.

Sizable COL Effect Reshapes This Salary

+11.4%

Adjusting $49,390 for Nebraska's cost of living yields $55,000 — a 11.4% gain in real purchasing power. This magnitude usually reflects either a materially cheaper or materially pricier metro mix than the national average.

Above-Median Adjusted Pay

#15 / 51

Nebraska sits at #15 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

Nebraska ranks #15 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 Nebraska after taxes →

Frequently Asked Questions

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

A Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors in Nebraska earns a median salary of $49,390 per year. After adjusting for Nebraska's cost of living (RPP=89.8), the real purchasing power is $55,000 — a +11.4% difference.

Is Nebraska expensive to live in?

Nebraska's cost of living is 10.2% lower than the national average according to the BEA Regional Price Parities (2022). The RPP index for Nebraska is 89.8 (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 Nebraska: $49,390 x (100 / 89.8) = $55,000. 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 Nebraska financially?

From a purchasing power perspective, yes. A Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors in Nebraska enjoys 11.4% 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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