Refuse and salvage occupations salary in the UK (2025/26)
Official UK Average earnings data 2025
£27,576
Typical Annual pay range
Understanding Refuse and salvage occupations pay in the UK
The typical refuse and salvage occupations in the UK earns a median salary of £27,576 in 2025/26. These figures come from the ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE), so they reflect actual reported pay rather than self-reported estimates or job-advert ranges.
The middle half of refuse and salvage occupations earnings fall between £25,389 and £30,865 a year. That is a relatively narrow range, meaning pay tends to be consistent across employers regardless of experience.
Where you work changes the picture: refuse and salvage occupations pay ranges from £24,457 in East Midlands up to £29,173 in Wales, a difference of £4,716 (19%). The full regional breakdown is below.
Dig deeper: see refuse and salvage occupations pay in Wales or read how we source and check this data.
How pay varies by region
Wales is the highest-paying region for refuse and salvage occupations at £29,173 — 6% above the UK median. East Midlands is lowest at £24,457.
UK median £27,576
| Region | Median payUK median £27,576 | Median | Mean | vs UK median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wales | £29,173 | £29,173 | £30,541 | +6% |
| Scotland | £29,095 | £29,095 | £29,430 | +6% |
| West Midlands | £28,624 | £28,624 | £30,795 | +4% |
| North West | £26,929 | £26,929 | £28,825 | -2% |
| North East | £26,624 | £26,624 | £26,797 | -3% |
| South West | £26,375 | £26,375 | £27,186 | -4% |
| South East | £26,366 | £26,366 | £26,548 | -4% |
| London | £26,220 | £26,220 | £26,381 | -5% |
| Yorkshire and the Humber | £26,021 | £26,021 | £25,461 | -6% |
| East of England | £25,121 | £25,121 | £25,617 | -9% |
| East Midlands | £24,457 | £24,457 | £25,367 | -11% |
| Region | Median | vs UK |
|---|---|---|
| Wales £29,173 | £29,173Mean £30,541 | +6% |
| Scotland £29,095 | £29,095Mean £29,430 | +6% |
| West Midlands £28,624 | £28,624Mean £30,795 | +4% |
| North West £26,929 | £26,929Mean £28,825 | -2% |
| North East £26,624 | £26,624Mean £26,797 | -3% |
| South West £26,375 | £26,375Mean £27,186 | -4% |
| South East £26,366 | £26,366Mean £26,548 | -4% |
| London £26,220 | £26,220Mean £26,381 | -5% |
| Yorkshire and the Humber £26,021 | £26,021Mean £25,461 | -6% |
| East of England £25,121 | £25,121Mean £25,617 | -9% |
| East Midlands £24,457 | £24,457Mean £25,367 | -11% |
Sorted highest median to lowest. The vertical line marks the UK median (£27,576); ‘Vs UK median’ compares each region’s median to it. Suppressed values mean ONS withheld this figure because the sample was too small to publish.
Make it local
Calculate take-home pay for your region
Choose a region above to see local refuse and salvage occupations pay and calculate your monthly take-home after tax on the local salary page.
Back to region listHow refuse and salvage occupations pay has changed over time
UK median annual pay for refuse and salvage occupations by year (ONS ASHE).
Median salary
▪ 25th–75th percentile range
Pre-2021 figures mapped from SOC 2010 via ONS concordance table
Related roles in Elementary Cleaning Occupations
Other published roles in this occupation group. View category overview →