Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors Salary in San Diego, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA

Median annual salary $64,050 +32.5% vs national
Median hourly $30.80
10th percentile $48,670
90th percentile $83,820
Employed locally 950
National median $48,350

Compare Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors salary & buying power

Type a city below to see how San Diego, CA stacks up on salary and cost of living.

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Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors
in
San Diego, CA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $48,670
    25th
    $59,210
    50th (median)
    $64,050
    75th
    $83,820
    90th
    $83,820

    San Diego economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.30% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $102,285 2023 • Census ACS
    Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors salary vs area income 63% Median Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors salary is 37% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $77,300
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $76,760
    Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL $74,240
    Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA $73,770
    Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA $73,110
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $72,380

    Nearby metros — Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $76,760
    Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA $73,110
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $72,380
    Napa, CA $70,690
    Salinas, CA $69,210
    Merced, CA $66,690

    Related occupations in San Diego, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand $39,000
    Stockers and Order Fillers $38,690
    Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers $59,480
    Light Truck Drivers $43,820
    Packers and Packagers, Hand $36,500
    First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors $58,360

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors make per hour in San Diego?

    The median hourly wage for Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors in San Diego, CA is $30.80, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $41.41 or more per hour.

    Is San Diego above or below average for Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors salaries?

    The median Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors salary in San Diego, CA is 32.5% above the national median of $48,350. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors in San Diego?

    Entry-level Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors (10th percentile) earn around $48,670 per year in San Diego, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $59,210.