Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors pay in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad
In San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad (CA), the median pay for refuse and recyclable material collectors is $33.32 an hour ($69,300 a year). About 1,230 people work in this job there.
That is 39% higher than the U.S. median ($49,690). It is 7% higher than the California median ($64,890).
Pay range for refuse and recyclable material collectors in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad (CA)
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $24.53 | $51,020 |
| 25% of workers | $31.20 | $64,890 |
| Half of workers (median) | $33.32 | $69,300 |
| 75% of workers | $33.90 | $70,510 |
| 90% of workers | $41.41 | $86,130 |
Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors pay in California metro areas
| Metro area | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara | $87,430 | 870 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont | $77,570 | 2,040 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma | $73,110 | 320 |
| Napa | $72,450 | 90 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad (this page) | $69,300 | 1,230 |
| Salinas | $69,210 | 90 |
| Merced | $68,530 | 70 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara | $66,900 | 220 |
| Fresno | $65,950 | 390 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom | $65,950 | 910 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles | $64,440 | 0 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim | $62,490 | 4,210 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario | $61,940 | 1,280 |
| Vallejo | $61,930 | 110 |
| Chico | $61,250 | 30 |
| Modesto | $60,110 | 230 |
| Bakersfield-Delano | $57,490 | 220 |
| Stockton-Lodi | $56,280 | 220 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura | $55,810 | 330 |
| Hanford-Corcoran | $51,110 | 40 |
| Redding | $46,290 | 30 |
| Visalia | $46,090 | 170 |
California unemployment rate: 5.1% (August 2026), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Education, experience and outlook for refuse and recyclable material collectors
- Typical education to start: No formal educational credential (BLS)
- Related work experience most have: 1 to 2 years (O*NET)
- Training on the job: Short-term on-the-job training (BLS)
- Job outlook: +2.1% over ten years, about as fast as average · about 15,500 openings a year (BLS)
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Post a job freeFind jobsCheck pay for any jobSource: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates. Figures are for wage and salary workers and do not include the self-employed. The median is the middle wage: half earn more, half earn less. Other job titles: O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license; O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. JAI Bot has modified this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.