Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors Salary in Santa Maria, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA

Median annual salary $61,350 +26.9% vs national
Median hourly $29.50
10th percentile $45,800
90th percentile $72,010
Employed locally 150
National median $48,350

Compare Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors salary & buying power

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

Full tool →
Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors
in
Santa Maria, CA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $45,800
    25th
    $58,980
    50th (median)
    $61,350
    75th
    $65,270
    90th
    $72,010

    Santa Maria economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.50% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $95,977 2023 • Census ACS
    Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors salary vs area income 64% Median Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors salary is 36% 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 Santa Maria, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Stockers and Order Fillers $37,530
    Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand $38,770
    Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers $57,220
    Packers and Packagers, Hand $36,210
    Light Truck Drivers $44,280
    First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors $59,270

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors make per hour in Santa Maria?

    The median hourly wage for Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors in Santa Maria, CA is $29.50, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $36.25 or more per hour.

    Is Santa Maria above or below average for Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors salaries?

    The median Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors salary in Santa Maria, CA is 26.9% 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 Santa Maria?

    Entry-level Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors (10th percentile) earn around $45,800 per year in Santa Maria, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $58,980.