Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors salary in Merced, CA
Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors in the Merced, CA metro area earn a median of $68,530 a year ($32.95 an hour), based on BLS data for 70 workers.
Pay ranges from $35,370 for the lowest-paid 10% to $68,530 for the top 10%. That is 38% higher than the national median of $49,690. Pay here is 6% higher than the California statewide median of $64,890. There are 0.82 refuse and recyclable material collectors per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $58,590, close to the median.
Pay range for refuse and recyclable material collectors in Merced, CA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,370 | $17.01 |
| 25th percentile | $47,310 | $22.75 |
| Median | $68,530 | $32.95 |
| 75th percentile | $68,530 | $32.95 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $68,530 | $32.95 |
| Average (mean) | $58,590 | $28.17 |
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 | $5,710.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,855.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,635.77 |
| Weekly | $1,317.88 |
| Hourly | $32.95 |
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 other metro areas nearby
| 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 |
| 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 or the California statewide figures.
Related jobs in Merced, CA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $38,080 | $18.31 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $34,320 | $16.50 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $41,890 | $20.14 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $44,520 | $21.41 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $38,860 | $18.68 |
| Machine Feeders and Offbearers | $41,930 | $20.16 |
| Conveyor Operators and Tenders | $62,970 | $30.28 |
| Material Moving Workers, All Other | $49,670 | $23.88 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $55,630 | $26.75 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $57,400 | $27.60 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $49,290 | $23.70 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $61,580 | $29.61 |
| Light Truck Driver | $44,250 | $21.27 |
| Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs | $39,060 | $18.78 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Merced, CA
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 Merced, CA?
The median salary for refuse and recyclable material collectors in the Merced, CA metro area is $68,530 a year, or $32.95 an hour. Pay ranges from $35,370 for the lowest-paid 10% to $68,530 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid refuse and recyclable material collectors make in Merced, CA?
The top 10% of refuse and recyclable material collectors in the Merced, CA metro area earn at least $68,530 a year. The top 25% earn $68,530 or more.
What is the starting pay for refuse and recyclable material collectors in Merced, CA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $35,370 a year, and a quarter of refuse and recyclable material collectors earn $47,310 or less.
How many refuse and recyclable material collectors work in Merced, CA?
About 70 refuse and recyclable material collectors are employed in the Merced, CA metro area, not counting the self-employed.