Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors salary in California
Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors in California earn a median of $64,890 a year ($31.20 an hour), based on BLS data for 13,930 workers.
Pay ranges from $45,970 for the lowest-paid 10% to $90,370 for the top 10%. That is 31% higher than the national median of $49,690. California ranks 4th of 51 states for refuse and recyclable material collectors pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.77 refuse and recyclable material collectors per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $66,300, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for refuse and recyclable material collectors in California
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $45,970 | $22.10 |
| 25th percentile | $55,420 | $26.64 |
| Median | $64,890 | $31.20 |
| 75th percentile | $75,070 | $36.09 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $90,370 | $43.45 |
| Average (mean) | $66,300 | $31.87 |
Half of refuse and recyclable material collectors earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $5,407.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,703.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,495.77 |
| Weekly | $1,247.88 |
| Hourly | $31.20 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors salary in cities in California
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $87,430 | 870 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $77,570 | 2,040 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $73,110 | 320 |
| Napa, CA | $72,450 | 90 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $69,300 | 1,230 |
| Salinas, CA | $69,210 | 90 |
| Merced, CA | $68,530 | 70 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $66,900 | 220 |
| Fresno, CA | $65,950 | 390 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $65,950 | 910 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | $64,440 | n/a |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $62,490 | 4,210 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $61,940 | 1,280 |
| Vallejo, CA | $61,930 | 110 |
| Chico, CA | $61,250 | 30 |
| Modesto, CA | $60,110 | 230 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $57,490 | 220 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $56,280 | 220 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $55,810 | 330 |
| Hanford-Corcoran, CA | $51,110 | 40 |
| Redding, CA | $46,290 | 30 |
| Visalia, CA | $46,090 | 170 |
Highest-paying states for refuse and recyclable material collectors
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Illinois | $75,050 |
| Washington | $74,620 |
| New York | $64,950 |
| California | $64,890 |
| Oregon | $63,210 |
| Minnesota | $62,570 |
| Nevada | $61,310 |
| Delaware | $61,290 |
| Colorado | $60,310 |
| Wisconsin | $59,810 |
See Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors pay in every state.
Related jobs in California
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $44,710 | $21.50 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $42,870 | $20.61 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $47,770 | $22.97 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $37,260 | $17.91 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $37,920 | $18.23 |
| Material Moving Workers, All Other | $38,410 | $18.46 |
| Machine Feeders and Offbearers | $40,380 | $19.41 |
| Conveyor Operators and Tenders | $43,150 | $20.74 |
| Crane and Tower Operators | $79,570 | $38.25 |
| Pump Operators, Except Wellhead Pumpers | $57,660 | $27.72 |
| Wellhead Pumper | $64,430 | $30.98 |
| Tank Car, Truck, and Ship Loaders | $68,600 | $32.98 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $60,230 | $28.96 |
| Light Truck Driver | $46,790 | $22.50 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in California
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 53-7081. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a refuse and recyclable material collectors make in California?
The median salary for refuse and recyclable material collectors in California is $64,890 a year, or $31.20 an hour. Pay ranges from $45,970 for the lowest-paid 10% to $90,370 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid refuse and recyclable material collectors make in California?
The top 10% of refuse and recyclable material collectors in California earn at least $90,370 a year. The top 25% earn $75,070 or more.
What is the starting pay for refuse and recyclable material collectors in California?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $45,970 a year, and a quarter of refuse and recyclable material collectors earn $55,420 or less.
How many refuse and recyclable material collectors work in California?
About 13,930 refuse and recyclable material collectors are employed in California, not counting the self-employed.