What does a Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors salary really buy you in Tennessee?
Tennessee is 8.2% cheaper than the US averageData: BLS OEWS 2024 + BEA Regional Price Parities 2022 • Updated 2026-03-31
Tennessee's Regional Price Parity (RPP) is 91.8, meaning prices are 8.2% lower the national average. A Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors earning $38,570 in Tennessee has the equivalent purchasing power of $42,015 in an average-cost US state.
Every dollar goes further in low-cost states. Here is how each salary percentile compares after adjusting for Tennessee's cost of living.
| Percentile | Nominal Salary | COL-Adjusted | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile (P10) | $26,720 | $29,106 | +$2,386 |
| 25th Percentile (P25) | $31,690 | $34,520 | +$2,830 |
| Median (P50) | $38,570 | $42,015 | +$3,445 |
| 75th Percentile (P75) | $47,510 | $51,753 | +$4,243 |
| 90th Percentile (P90) | $59,160 | $64,444 | +$5,284 |
A Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors in Tennessee earns $38,570 on paper, but low living costs mean your money goes 9% further — like earning $42,015 in an average-cost state. This makes Tennessee one of the best value states for this occupation.
Where does Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors salary stretch the furthest? Top 10 states ranked by COL-adjusted median salary.
Tennessee ranks #39 out of 50 states for Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors after cost-of-living adjustment.
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A Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors in Tennessee earns a median salary of $38,570 per year. After adjusting for Tennessee's cost of living (RPP=91.8), the real purchasing power is $42,015 — a +8.9% difference.
Tennessee's cost of living is 8.2% lower than the national average according to the BEA Regional Price Parities (2022). The RPP index for Tennessee is 91.8 (US average = 100).
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.
The adjusted salary is calculated as: Nominal Salary x (100 / RPP). For a Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors in Tennessee: $38,570 x (100 / 91.8) = $42,015. This represents what the salary would be worth in a state with average living costs.
From a purchasing power perspective, yes. A Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors in Tennessee enjoys 8.9% 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.