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Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors Salary in New York: 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 New York?

New York is 7.6% pricier than the US average

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

Nominal Salary
$64,950
Median annual (2025)
-7.1%
Real Purchasing Power
$60,362
COL-adjusted (RPP=107.6)

New York Cost of Living Index

New York's Regional Price Parity (RPP) is 107.6, meaning prices are 7.6% higher the national average. A Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors earning $64,950 in New York has the equivalent purchasing power of $60,362 in an average-cost US state.

NY: 107.6
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 New York's cost of living.

Percentile Nominal Salary COL-Adjusted Difference
10th Percentile (P10) $42,740 $39,721 $-3,018
25th Percentile (P25) $47,020 $43,698 $-3,321
Median (P50) $64,950 $60,362 $-4,587
75th Percentile (P75) $86,310 $80,213 $-6,096
90th Percentile (P90) $86,720 $80,594 $-6,125
Key Insight

While $64,950 sounds high, New York's elevated cost of living erases 7% of that salary's purchasing power. Your real buying power is $60,362. Consider whether the higher pay offsets the higher costs.

What the Cost-of-Living Data Says

New York Is a High-Cost State

RPP 107.6

New York's RPP of 107.6 puts it 7.6% above the national baseline cost of living. A Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors needs that premium in nominal pay just to maintain the same purchasing power as an average-cost state.

Meaningful Purchasing-Power Shift

-7.1%

After applying New York's RPP, the $64,950 median salary translates to $60,362 in real terms — a 7.1% loss. That difference can cover several months of expenses over a year for a Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors.

Top-Quartile Adjusted Earnings in New York

#10 / 51

Ranked on COL-adjusted median pay for Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors, New York places #10 of 51 states — top quartile. Either nominal wages run high, cost of living runs low, or both.

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

New York ranks #10 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 New York after taxes →

Frequently Asked Questions

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

A Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors in New York earns a median salary of $64,950 per year. After adjusting for New York's cost of living (RPP=107.6), the real purchasing power is $60,362 — a -7.1% difference.

Is New York expensive to live in?

New York's cost of living is 7.6% higher than the national average according to the BEA Regional Price Parities (2022). The RPP index for New York is 107.6 (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 New York: $64,950 x (100 / 107.6) = $60,362. This represents what the salary would be worth in a state with average living costs.

Does the high cost of living in New York offset the salary?

Partially — a Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors's nominal salary of $64,950 in New York has 7.1% less purchasing power due to higher living costs. The real value is $60,362. However, New York may offer better career opportunities, networking, and industry access.

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