Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors salary in Modesto, CA
Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors in the Modesto, CA metro area earn a median of $60,110 a year ($28.90 an hour), based on BLS data for 230 workers.
Pay ranges from $48,460 for the lowest-paid 10% to $70,380 for the top 10%. That is 21% higher than the national median of $49,690. Pay here is 7% lower than the California statewide median of $64,890. There are 1.2 refuse and recyclable material collectors per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $61,730, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for refuse and recyclable material collectors in Modesto, CA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $48,460 | $23.30 |
| 25th percentile | $55,330 | $26.60 |
| Median | $60,110 | $28.90 |
| 75th percentile | $70,380 | $33.84 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $70,380 | $33.84 |
| Average (mean) | $61,730 | $29.68 |
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 | $5,009.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,504.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,311.92 |
| Weekly | $1,155.96 |
| Hourly | $28.90 |
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 |
| 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 |
| 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 Modesto, CA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $46,630 | $22.42 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $41,320 | $19.86 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $55,810 | $26.83 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $40,680 | $19.56 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $37,480 | $18.02 |
| Machine Feeders and Offbearers | $39,950 | $19.21 |
| Material Moving Workers, All Other | $38,050 | $18.29 |
| Conveyor Operators and Tenders | $43,230 | $20.78 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $58,330 | $28.05 |
| Light Truck Driver | $43,800 | $21.06 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $66,800 | $32.12 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $41,820 | $20.10 |
| Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs | $48,770 | $23.45 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $62,870 | $30.23 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Modesto, 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 Modesto, CA?
The median salary for refuse and recyclable material collectors in the Modesto, CA metro area is $60,110 a year, or $28.90 an hour. Pay ranges from $48,460 for the lowest-paid 10% to $70,380 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid refuse and recyclable material collectors make in Modesto, CA?
The top 10% of refuse and recyclable material collectors in the Modesto, CA metro area earn at least $70,380 a year. The top 25% earn $70,380 or more.
What is the starting pay for refuse and recyclable material collectors in Modesto, CA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $48,460 a year, and a quarter of refuse and recyclable material collectors earn $55,330 or less.
How many refuse and recyclable material collectors work in Modesto, CA?
About 230 refuse and recyclable material collectors are employed in the Modesto, CA metro area, not counting the self-employed.