Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors Salary in San Jose, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA

Median annual salary $76,760 +58.8% vs national
Median hourly $36.90
10th percentile $41,870
90th percentile $108,960
Employed locally 960
National median $48,350

Compare Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors salary & buying power

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Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors
in
San Jose, CA
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $41,870
    25th
    $60,540
    50th (median)
    $76,760
    75th
    $108,000
    90th
    $108,960

    San Jose economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.20% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $157,444 2023 • Census ACS
    Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors salary vs area income 49% Median Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors salary is 51% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $77,300
    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
    Washington $71,440

    Nearby metros — Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    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
    Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN $64,530

    Related occupations in San Jose, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand $46,030
    Stockers and Order Fillers $44,910
    Light Truck Drivers $50,060
    Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers $65,540
    Packers and Packagers, Hand $40,600
    First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors $72,280

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors in San Jose, CA is $36.90, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $53.34 or more per hour.

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

    The median Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors salary in San Jose, CA is 58.8% 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 Jose?

    Entry-level Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors (10th percentile) earn around $41,870 per year in San Jose, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $60,540.