California Median
$64,890
per year
Hourly Rate
$31.20
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+31% vs US median
US median $49,690
State Rank
#4 of 51
13,930 employed here
How much do Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors make in California?
Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors working in California earn a median salary of $64,890 per year, or about $31.20 per hour. That is 31% above the national median of $49,690 for this occupation.
Within California, entry-level pay starts around $45,970 while the top 10% make $90,370 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $55,420 and $75,070 a year.
Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors salary range in California
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $45,970 | $22.10 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $55,420 | $26.64 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $64,890 | $31.20 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $75,070 | $36.09 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $90,370 | $43.45 |
|
How California compares
California ranks 4th out of 51 states and territories for Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors salary in other states
Illinois $75,050Washington $74,620New York $64,950Oregon $63,210Minnesota $62,570Nevada $61,310Delaware $61,290Colorado $60,310Wisconsin $59,810Utah $59,310North Dakota $59,000Indiana $58,900Hawaii $56,270Rhode Island $55,970District of Columbia $55,490New Jersey $54,630Vermont $51,960Michigan $51,030Massachusetts $50,310Missouri $50,010Idaho $49,880Iowa $49,850Montana $49,420Nebraska $49,390Ohio $49,330Wyoming $48,820Pennsylvania $48,240Florida $47,820New Mexico $47,660Georgia $46,960Arizona $46,910New Hampshire $46,580Virginia $46,530Texas $46,330Alabama $46,240Alaska $45,740Kansas $45,510North Carolina $44,670Maine $43,360Tennessee $43,270Kentucky $43,100Oklahoma $43,060Maryland $41,870Mississippi $39,170Louisiana $38,810Connecticut $38,220West Virginia $35,840Arkansas $35,640South Carolina $34,880South Dakota $32,950
Working as Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors in California
Nationally, about 147,000 people work as Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors in the United States. A high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job.
Considering a move? Compare California pay ($64,890) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much do Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors make in California?
The median Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors salary in California is $64,890 per year, or about $31.20 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $45,970 at the entry level to $90,370 for the top 10% of earners.
How does California pay compare to the national average?
California pays Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors about 31% more than the national median of $49,690. California ranks 4th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is California a good state for Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors?
Yes on pay — California pays above the national median for this occupation, at $64,890 a year. About 13,930 Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors are employed in California. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in California?
The highest-paying occupations in California include Ophthalmologist, Except Pediatric ($400,150), Neurologist ($357,080), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($353,900), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors salary report
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.