How much does a refuse and recyclable material collector make in California?
$64,890a year
Median yearly pay for refuse and recyclable material collectors in California. That is $31.20 an hour or $5,408 a month.
- Hourly
- $31.20
- Vs. national median
- +31%
- Rank among states
- 4 of 51
- Jobs in the state
- 13,930
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $45,970Median: $64,890Highest 10%: $90,370
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $45,970 | $22.10 | |
| 25th | $55,420 | $26.64 | |
| Median | $64,890 | $31.20 | |
| 75th | $75,070 | $36.09 | |
| 90th | $90,370 | $43.45 |
Cities in California
Metro areas, median yearly pay.
| San Jose, CA | $87,430 |
| San Francisco, CA | $77,570 |
| Santa Rosa, CA | $73,110 |
| Napa, CA | $72,450 |
| San Diego, CA | $69,300 |
| Salinas, CA | $69,210 |
| Merced, CA | $68,530 |
| Santa Maria, CA | $66,900 |
| Fresno, CA | $65,950 |
| Sacramento, CA | $65,950 |
| San Luis Obispo, CA | $64,440 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $62,490 |
| Riverside, CA | $61,940 |
| Vallejo, CA | $61,930 |
| Chico, CA | $61,250 |
| Modesto, CA | $60,110 |
| Bakersfield, CA | $57,490 |
| Stockton, CA | $56,280 |
| Oxnard, CA | $55,810 |
| Hanford, CA | $51,110 |
| Redding, CA | $46,290 |
| Visalia, CA | $46,090 |
Nearby in the ranking
States with similar pay for refuse and recyclable material collectors.
| 1. Illinois | $75,050 |
| 2. Washington | $74,620 |
| 3. New York | $64,950 |
| 4. California | $64,890 |
| 5. Oregon | $63,210 |
| 6. Minnesota | $62,570 |
| 7. Nevada | $61,310 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a refuse and recyclable material collector make an hour in California?
The median hourly pay in California is $31.20 ($64,890 a year).
Do refuse and recyclable material collectors make more in California than the national average?
Yes: $64,890 against $49,690 nationally, 31% more.
Where does California rank for refuse and recyclable material collector pay?
California ranks 4 of 51 states.
Which city in California pays refuse and recyclable material collectors the most?
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA, with a median of $87,430 a year.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS): pay in May 2025, published by BLS in 2026. Hourly pay is the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours.