Understanding the Bin Man Salary UK in 2025/26

If you're considering a job as a refuse collector or waste driver — often called a bin man — you'll want to know the typical pay. The official data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) gives a clear picture: the median full-time bin man salary UK is £27,857 per year (ASHE 2025). That works out at about £14.28 an hour if you assume a 37.5-hour week, or £13.62 an hour on a 39-hour contract. But the real figure depends on your council, your role, and how much overtime you do.

What the Official Data Says

The ONS Annual Survey for Hours and Earnings (ASHE) is the gold standard for UK pay. For the occupation group 'refuse and salvage workers', the 2025 survey found:

• Median full-time annual gross pay: £27,857
• Interquartile range: £25,803 to £31,223 (the middle 50% of earners)
• Median weekly pay: around £535 (based on 52 weeks)

These figures include basic pay, overtime, and shift allowances, but exclude overtime for the hourly rate calculation. The APSE (Association for Public Service Excellence) survey of waste collection workers gives a slightly different angle: average basic salary for HGV drivers was £24,672 (37 hours, £12.82/hr) and for loaders £20,764 (37 hours, £10.79/hr). The difference between the ONS median and the APSE average is partly because the ONS figure includes overtime and allowances, and because the APSE survey focuses on local authority workers only.

Hourly to Annual Conversion

To convert an hourly rate to an annual salary, the standard rule of thumb is:

Annual salary ≈ hourly rate × hours per week × 52 weeks

For a bin man working 37.5 hours a week:

• At £12.21/hr (National Living Wage for 21+): £12.21 × 37.5 × 52 = £23,809.50
• At the median £14.28/hr: £14.28 × 37.5 × 52 = £27,846 (close to the ONS figure)
• At £15.00/hr: £15.00 × 37.5 × 52 = £29,250

Remember that this assumes a steady contract with no unpaid overtime. Many bin men work task-and-finish rounds, meaning they finish when the round is done but are paid for the full shift. That can effectively boost the hourly rate.

Overtime and Allowances

Overtime is common in waste collection, especially during bank holidays or when covering sickness. The APSE survey found:

• Weekday overtime: 68% of councils pay 1.5x regular pay
• Weekend overtime: 80% pay 1.5x on Saturdays; some pay double time on Sundays
• Bank holidays: often double time or time-and-a-half plus a day in lieu

Some councils have more complex rules, like paying basic rate for the first few hours of overtime before the premium kicks in. Always check your contract or the job advert for the exact overtime policy.

London Weighting and Regional Variations

London and the South East often attract higher pay due to higher living costs. The APSE survey showed that only a small minority of councils apply a formal London weighting (about 2%) or a market rate supplement (5%). However, many London boroughs have their own local pay grades that are higher than the national NJC spine. For example, a refuse collector in inner London might earn £30,000–£33,000 basic, while the same role in a northern town might start at £24,000. The ONS ASHE data doesn't break down by region for this specific occupation, but the general pattern is clear: pay is higher in London and the South East.

Comparing with Other Roles

How does a bin man salary compare to other jobs? The UK median full-time salary across all occupations is £39,039 (ONS ASHE 2025), so refuse collectors earn about 71% of the national median. That's typical for skilled manual roles. For comparison:

• HGV driver (general): median around £33,000–£35,000
• Warehouse operative: median around £24,000–£26,000
• Cleaner: median around £21,000–£23,000

Bin men often have the advantage of stable public-sector employment, a pension (usually the Local Government Pension Scheme), and regular overtime opportunities.

Final Thoughts

The bin man salary UK in 2025/26 is well-documented by ONS ASHE at a median of £27,857 full-time. That's a solid wage for a job that requires physical fitness, a driving licence (for drivers), and a willingness to work outdoors in all weather. If you're comparing an hourly offer with a salaried position, use our Hourly to Salary converter to see the annual equivalent. For more detailed pay data by occupation, visit our salary data page.

Always check the specific job advert for contracted hours, overtime rates, and any local allowances. And remember that the National Living Wage is the legal minimum — most bin men earn above that, especially once overtime is factored in.